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hamak

hamák with stress marks

lowly; to ridicule

adjective verb ha-MAK Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Hamak carries two related senses: as an adjective it means lowly, base, or inferior in social standing; as a verb (hamakín) it means to belittle or look down on someone. The word is used in discussions of social class and personal dignity. Telling someone not to 'hamakín' others is a common moral admonition.

Examples

Beginner

" Huwag mong hamakin ang mahirap. "

Natural Translation

Don't look down on the poor.

Literal Translation

Don't you belittle the poor.

Intermediate

" Ako ay isang hamak na tao. "

Natural Translation

I am a lowly person.

Literal Translation

I am a lowly that person.

Advanced

" Kahit hamak ang kanyang pinagmulan, ipinakita niyang ang dangal ng isang tao ay hindi nasusukat sa yaman. "

Natural Translation

Even though his origins were lowly, he showed that a person's dignity is not measured by wealth.

Literal Translation

Even lowly the his origin, showed he that the dignity of a person not be-measured in wealth.

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