himay
himáy with stress marks
remove seeds/flesh; study closely; to shell, to debone
Usage Note
Himay primarily means to separate flesh from bone, seeds from fruit, or fiber from plant material by hand — a common food preparation technique in Filipino kitchens. Figuratively, it means to analyze something carefully or pick it apart piece by piece, reflecting the same deliberate, detailed work.
Examples
" Himay mo muna ang manok. "
Natural Translation
Debone the chicken first.
Literal Translation
Debone you first the chicken.
" Tapos na ang himay ko sa isda. "
Natural Translation
I am finished deboning the fish.
Literal Translation
Finished now the debone my in-the fish.
" Habang inihahanda ang hapunan, maingat niyang hinihimay ang laman ng isda upang walang matirang tinik para sa mga bata. "
Natural Translation
While preparing dinner, she carefully debones the fish so that no bones are left for the children.
Literal Translation
While being-prepared the dinner, careful she-linker deboning the flesh of-the fish so-that none left bone for the plural child.
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