gilalas
gilálas with stress marks
amazement, astonishment
Usage Note
Gilalas expresses a sense of wonder and astonishment at something unexpected or extraordinary. It is slightly more literary than common synonyms like 'gulat' (fright/shock) or 'tanga' (speechlessness). 'Na-gilalas' or 'nagulat' is used when recounting moments of awe, and the word often appears in poetry and narrative fiction.
Examples
" Puno ng gilalas ang kanyang mukha. "
Natural Translation
Her face was full of amazement.
Literal Translation
Full of amazement the her face.
" Puno ng gilalas ang mga bata nang makita nila ang malaking puno. "
Natural Translation
The children were filled with amazement when they saw the giant tree.
Literal Translation
Full of amazement the children when saw they the big tree.
" Hindi maitago ng mga turista ang kanilang gilalas nang masilayan nila ang lawak at ganda ng mga bukirin. "
Natural Translation
The tourists could not hide their amazement when they beheld the vastness and beauty of the rice fields.
Literal Translation
Not could-hide of the tourists the their amazement when beheld they the vastness and beauty of the fields.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
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