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bulkan

bulkán with stress marks

volcano

noun bul-KAN Spanish origin Less Common

Usage Note

Bulkan is borrowed from Spanish 'volcán' and is the standard Tagalog word for volcano. The Philippines sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire and has over 20 active volcanoes, making bulkan a word with immediate cultural relevance. Famous examples include Mayon, Taal, and Pinatubo, the last of which had a catastrophic eruption in 1991.

Examples

Beginner

" May bulkan sa lalawigan. "

Natural Translation

There is a volcano in the province.

Literal Translation

Has volcano in province.

Intermediate

" Sumabog ang bulkan at nagpadala ng abo sa mga karatig na bayan. "

Natural Translation

The volcano erupted and sent ash to the nearby towns.

Literal Translation

Erupted the volcano and sent ash to-the nearby towns.

Advanced

" Bago sumabog ang bulkan, lumikas ang mga residente sa mga ligtas na lugar na inihanda ng pamahalaan. "

Natural Translation

Before the volcano erupted, the residents evacuated to the safe places prepared by the government.

Literal Translation

Before erupt the volcano, evacuated the residents to the safe places that prepared by-the government.

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