Usage Note
Hele refers to the act of lulling a baby to sleep — rocking, humming, or singing softly — and is central to Filipino domestic life. Many regional lullabies carry the word hele in their lyrics, and the practice evokes warmth, nurturing, and the bond between caregiver and infant.
Examples
" Hinele ng nanay ang sanggol. "
Natural Translation
The mother lulled the baby to sleep.
Literal Translation
Lulled by-the mother the baby.
" Hine-hele ng lola ang sanggol habang umaawit. "
Natural Translation
The grandmother is lulling the baby to sleep while singing.
Literal Translation
Lulling-to-sleep by-the grandmother the baby while singing.
" Habang hinehele ng lola ang umiiyak na sanggol, marahan niyang inaawit ang lumang oyayi noong kanyang kabataan. "
Natural Translation
While the grandmother was lulling the crying baby to sleep, she softly sang an old lullaby from her youth.
Literal Translation
While lulling by-the grandmother the crying baby, softly she singing the old lullaby from her youth.
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