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gulalat

gulalát with stress marks

wide-eyed shock

adjective gu-la-LAT Native origin Rare

Usage Note

Gulalat vividly describes someone frozen in open-mouthed, wide-eyed astonishment — a more expressive and physical state than mere surprise. It is used in storytelling, folk literature, and informal speech to paint a picture of extreme disbelief.

Examples

Beginner

" Gulalat siya sa gulat. "

Natural Translation

He was wide-eyed with shock.

Literal Translation

Wide-eyed-shock he/she in shock.

Intermediate

" May gulalat ang bata. "

Natural Translation

The child has a look of wide-eyed shock.

Literal Translation

Has wide-eyed-shock the child.

Advanced

" Nang makita ng bata ang malaking regalo sa ilalim ng puno, gulalat siyang napatingin nang hindi makapagsalita. "

Natural Translation

When the child saw the huge gift under the tree, he stared in wide-eyed shock, unable to speak.

Literal Translation

When saw by-the child the big gift at under of-the tree, wide-eyed-shock he/she stared while not able-to-speak.

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