hungkag
hungkág with stress marks
hollow
Usage Note
Hungkag describes something that is hollow or empty inside — a log, a promise, a chest cavity, or even an idea that lacks substance. The word is used both literally and figuratively. In figurative use, it describes arguments, promises, or rhetoric that sound impressive but lack real content or sincerity.
Examples
" Hungkag ang lumang puno. "
Natural Translation
The old tree is hollow.
Literal Translation
Hollow the old tree.
" Ang kahon ay hungkag. "
Natural Translation
The box is hollow.
Literal Translation
The box is hollow.
" Magandang pakinggan ang kanyang mga pangako, ngunit hungkag ang mga ito kapag walang ginagawang aksyon. "
Natural Translation
His promises sound nice, but they are hollow when no action is taken.
Literal Translation
Nice to-hear the his promises, but hollow they when no being-done action.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
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