buwaya
buwáya with stress marks
crocodile
Also means
Buwaya can mean a greedy, corrupt, or gluttonous person.
Usage Note
Buwaya literally means crocodile, but in everyday Filipino speech it is a vivid metaphor for greedy, corrupt individuals — especially politicians who exploit the public for personal gain. The figurative sense is so common it often overshadows the animal meaning in conversation.
Examples
" May buwaya sa ilog. "
Natural Translation
There is a crocodile in the river.
Literal Translation
Has crocodile in river.
" Ang buwaya ay nasa ilog. "
Natural Translation
The crocodile is in the river.
Literal Translation
The crocodile is in river.
" Tinawag niyang buwaya ang mga pulitikong nagnanakaw ng pera ng bayan para sa sarili nila. "
Natural Translation
He called the politicians who steal the people's money for themselves crocodiles.
Literal Translation
Called he crocodile the plural politician stealing of money of nation for self their.
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