From root: buwaya
Conjugations
Past (Completed)
nambuwaya
nam-bu-WA-ya
was greedy
Present (Incomplete)
nambubuwaya
nam-bu-bu-WA-ya
is being greedy
Future (Contemplated)
mambubuwaya
mam-bu-bu-WA-ya
will be greedy
Usage Note
Mambuwaya is used to describe acting with extreme greed or corruption, often by taking advantage of others for personal gain. It derives from the cultural metaphor of a crocodile (buwaya) representing a predatory or dishonest person, particularly in political or business contexts.
Examples
" Huwag kang mambuwaya sa pera. "
Natural Translation
Don't be greedy with money.
Literal Translation
Do-not you to-be-greedy with money.
" Ayaw ko sa taong mambuwaya sa negosyo. "
Natural Translation
I don't like people who are greedy in business.
Literal Translation
Dislike I to person being-greedy in business.
" Sa halip na tumulong sa mga nasalanta, nambuwaya pa ang ilang opisyal sa pondong nakalaan para sa lehitimong ayuda. "
Natural Translation
Instead of helping the disaster victims, some officials even greedily took from the funds set aside for legitimate aid.
Literal Translation
Instead of helping to the victims, was-greedy even the some officials on the fund allotted for legitimate aid.
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How Tagalog words workWord family
buwaya has 2 related forms built from the same root.
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