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dáma

checkers; lady-in-waiting

noun DA-ma Spanish origin Less Common

Also means

Damá (stress on the second syllable) means 'to touch or feel' — a completely separate word despite sharing the same letters.

Usage Note

Dáma entered Tagalog from Spanish 'dama' (lady). As a game, dáma is the Filipino equivalent of checkers and remains a popular pastime in rural communities, often played on handmade boards with bottle caps as pieces. As 'lady-in-waiting,' it survives mainly in historical or theatrical contexts.

Examples

Beginner

" Maglaro tayo ng dama. "

Natural Translation

Let's play checkers.

Literal Translation

Play we of checkers.

Intermediate

" Naglalaro ng dáma ang mga matanda sa plasa tuwing hapon. "

Natural Translation

The elders play checkers at the plaza every afternoon.

Literal Translation

Playing checkers the elders at-the plaza every afternoon.

Advanced

" Habang umuulan sa labas, nag-uubos kami ng oras sa paglalaro ng dama gamit ang mga tansan. "

Natural Translation

While it rained outside, we passed the time playing checkers using bottle caps.

Literal Translation

While raining at outside, spending we of time in playing of checkers using the bottle-caps.

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