engkanto
engkánto with stress marks
enchanted being; spell
Usage Note
Engkanto comes from Spanish encanto and refers broadly to nature spirits in Philippine folklore that inhabit trees, rivers, and mountains. Being na-engkanto means one has been taken or afflicted by such a spirit, and the concept is still invoked to explain unexplained illness or erratic behavior.
Examples
" May engkanto raw sa ilog. "
Natural Translation
They say there's an enchanted being in the river.
Literal Translation
There-is enchanted-being according-to in river.
" May engkanto daw sa punong iyon. "
Natural Translation
They say there is an enchanted being in that tree.
Literal Translation
There-is enchanted-being according-to in tree-that that.
" Sinabi ng matatanda na huwag putulin ang lumang puno dahil baka may engkanto na nakatira roon. "
Natural Translation
The elders said not to cut down the old tree because an enchanted being might live there.
Literal Translation
Said of the elders that don't cut the old tree because maybe there-is enchanted-being that living there.
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