Skip to content

bungal

toothless

adjective BU-ngal Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Bungal describes a person or animal that is missing teeth, particularly the front teeth. It is applied affectionately to young children losing their baby teeth, and as gentle ribbing to elderly people with few remaining teeth. It is seldom used offensively but can feel pointed if used without warmth.

Examples

Beginner

" Bungal pa ang munting bata. "

Natural Translation

The little child is still toothless.

Literal Translation

Toothless still the little child.

Intermediate

" Ngumiti ang bungal na lola nang makita ang apo. "

Natural Translation

The toothless grandmother smiled when he/she saw his/her grandchild.

Literal Translation

Smiled the toothless grandmother when saw the grandchild.

Advanced

" Nakakatuwang makita na bungal na ang aking pamangkin dahil unti-unting natatanggal ang kanyang mga ngipin. "

Natural Translation

It is amusing to see that my niece/nephew is now toothless because his/her teeth are gradually falling out.

Literal Translation

Amusing to-see that toothless already the my niece/nephew because gradually falling-out the his/her teeth.

Free · iOS & Android

Take Tagalog with you

The full course, a 12,500-word dictionary, and flashcards that make every word stick — free to start on iOS and Android.

Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.

How Tagalog words work

Explore Tagalog by topic

Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.