hala
halá with stress marks
uh-oh!; oh no!
Usage Note
Hala is what you say the instant something goes wrong or startles you — 'uh-oh!', 'oh no!'. Hala ka! is a playful warning that someone is in trouble. In an older use it also urges someone on, as in Hala, sige ('Go on, then').
Examples
" Hala, nabasag! "
Natural Translation
Uh-oh, it broke!
Literal Translation
Uh-oh, broke!
" Hala, alas-otso na pala, mahuhuli na tayo! "
Natural Translation
Oh no, it's already eight o'clock, we're going to be late!
Literal Translation
Oh-no, eight-o'clock already it-turns-out, will-be-late already we!
" Hala, bakit mo sinabi sa kanya ang sorpresa, eh sa Sabado pa naman ang kaarawan niya? "
Natural Translation
Oh no, why did you tell her about the surprise when her birthday isn't even until Saturday?
Literal Translation
Oh-no, why you told to her the surprise, [filler] on Saturday still anyway the birthday her?
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