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butete

butetê with stress marks

tadpole; big stomach

noun bu-te-TE Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Butete primarily refers to a tadpole, the larval stage of a frog. Its secondary meaning — a protruding or enlarged belly — is used colloquially and often affectionately to describe a child with a round stomach. It can also describe a pufferfish due to shape similarity.

Examples

Beginner

" May butete sa ilog. "

Natural Translation

There are tadpoles in the river.

Literal Translation

Have tadpole in-the river.

Intermediate

" Maraming butete sa ilog pagkatapos ng ulan. "

Natural Translation

There are many tadpoles in the river after the rain.

Literal Translation

Many tadpoles in-the river after the rain.

Advanced

" Tuwang-tuwa ang mga bata habang hinuhuli ang mga butete sa sapa, hindi alintana ang putik na dumikit sa kanilang mga binti. "

Natural Translation

The children were overjoyed while catching tadpoles in the stream, paying no mind to the mud sticking to their legs.

Literal Translation

Overjoyed the children while catching the tadpoles in-the stream, not minding the mud that stuck on their legs.

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