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habanera

habanéra with stress marks

slow dance from Cuba

noun ha-ba-NE-ra Spanish origin Rare

Usage Note

Habanera is a musical and dance form originating in Havana that was introduced to the Philippines through Spanish colonial culture, in slow 2/4 time. It influenced early Filipino music and stage performance, and today appears mainly in classical music education and historical zarzuela productions.

Examples

Beginner

" Marunong silang sumayaw ng habanera. "

Natural Translation

They know how to dance the habanera.

Literal Translation

Know they to-dance of habanera.

Intermediate

" Ginanap nila ang habanera sa entablado ng teatro. "

Natural Translation

They performed the habanera on the theater stage.

Literal Translation

Performed they the habanera on-the stage of-the theater.

Advanced

" Sa mga lumang zarzuela, madalas na sinasaliwan ng mabagal na habanera ang mga eksenang puno ng pananabik at pag-ibig. "

Natural Translation

In the old zarzuelas, a slow habanera often accompanied the scenes full of longing and love.

Literal Translation

In-the plural old zarzuela, often that accompanied of-the slow that habanera the plural scene full of longing and love.

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