Usage Note
Butil refers to a single grain of rice or other cereal, and by extension any small seed-like particle. It is used in the proverb 'Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa pinanggalingan ay hindi makararating sa paroroonan,' and the value of each butil of rice reflects the deep Filipino respect for the effort of farming.
Examples
" May butil ng bigas sa mesa. "
Natural Translation
There is a grain of rice on the table.
Literal Translation
Has grain of rice on table.
" Huwag mag-iwan ng kahit isang butil ng kanin. "
Natural Translation
Don't leave behind even a single grain of rice.
Literal Translation
Don't leave-behind of even one grain of rice.
" Tinuruan kami ng lola na pahalagahan ang bawat butil ng kanin dahil pinaghirapan ito ng mga magsasaka. "
Natural Translation
Grandmother taught us to value every grain of rice because the farmers worked hard for it.
Literal Translation
Taught us grandmother to value the every grain of rice because worked-hard it the farmers.
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