dote
dóte with stress marks
dowry; bride price
Usage Note
Dote is a Spanish loanword from dote referring to the property or money given by the bride's family to the groom upon marriage, a practice introduced during the colonial era. While the formal dowry system is largely obsolete in modern Philippine society, the concept survives in ceremonial gifts exchanged at weddings.
Examples
" Malaki ang dote noon. "
Natural Translation
The dowry was large in the past.
Literal Translation
Big the dowry before.
" Noon, ang dote ay mahalagang bahagi ng kasalan. "
Natural Translation
In the past, the dowry was an important part of the wedding.
Literal Translation
Before, the dowry was important part of-the wedding.
" Sa lumang kaugalian, ang dote na ibinibigay ng pamilya ng babae ay tanda ng kanilang kasunduan. "
Natural Translation
In the old custom, the dowry given by the bride's family was a sign of their agreement.
Literal Translation
In-the old custom, the dowry link given of-the family of-the woman is sign of their agreement.
Take Tagalog with you
The full course, a 12,500-word dictionary, and flashcards that make every word stick — free to start on iOS and Android.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workRelated Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
Tagalog Verb Conjugation: Aspects Made Simple
Tagalog verb conjugation uses aspects, not tenses. Learn the three aspects with -um- and mag- verbs, one reduplication rule, and clear example tables.
May vs Mayroon vs Meron: Have & There Is
May vs mayroon in Tagalog finally made simple: one rule decides which to use, plus how meron and wala fit the same have and there-is family.
Tagalog Verb Focus System Explained (It's Not Active vs. Passive)
The Tagalog verb focus system isn't active vs. passive. Learn actor focus, object focus, and more with clear examples that finally make it click.
Languages of the Philippines: Tagalog, Cebuano, and More
Languages of the Philippines: one national language (Filipino) plus 180+ regional languages. Here's who speaks what, where, and why it matters to you.