diona
dionâ with stress marks
indigenous three-line wedding poem
Usage Note
Diona is a traditional Filipino verse form composed of three lines, historically recited or sung at weddings and courtship rituals. It belongs to the broader oral poetry tradition of pre-colonial Tagalog culture and is rarely used in everyday modern speech, appearing mainly in academic and folkloric contexts.
Examples
" Maikli lang ang diona. "
Natural Translation
The diona is just short.
Literal Translation
Short only the diona.
" Ang diona ay binigkas ng matanda sa kasalan. "
Natural Translation
The elder recited the diona at the wedding.
Literal Translation
The diona was recited by-the elder at-the wedding.
" Bago dumating ang mga Espanyol, umaawit ng diona ang mga Tagalog sa kasalan upang basbasan ang bagong mag-asawa. "
Natural Translation
Before the Spanish arrived, the Tagalog sang the diona at weddings to bless the newlyweds.
Literal Translation
Before arrived the Spanish, singing of diona the Tagalog at wedding to bless the new couple.
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