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dalaga

dalága with stress marks

single woman

noun da-LA-ga Native origin Common

Usage Note

Dalaga traditionally refers to an unmarried young woman of marriageable age, carrying connotations of virtue and eligibility. It is a culturally loaded term — families proudly describe daughters as dalaga and the word implies a certain social readiness. In modern usage it can also simply mean 'young woman' without the marital framing.

Examples

Beginner

" Dalaga na ang anak nila. "

Natural Translation

Their daughter is a young woman now.

Literal Translation

Young-woman already the child their.

Intermediate

" Malinis at mabait ang dalaga sa kabilang bahay. "

Natural Translation

The young woman next door is clean and kind.

Literal Translation

Clean and kind the young-woman at-the other house.

Advanced

" Noong dalaga pa ang aking lola, naglalakad pa siya nang mahabang oras papunta sa kanilang paaralan. "

Natural Translation

When my grandmother was still a young woman, she would walk for long hours to get to their school.

Literal Translation

When young-woman still the my grandmother, walking still she with long hours going to their school.

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