umiling
umíling with stress marks
to shake one's head
From root: iling
Conjugations
Past (Completed)
umiling
u-MI-ling
shook head
Present (Incomplete)
umiiling
u-mi-I-ling
is shaking head
Future (Contemplated)
iiling
i-I-ling
will shake head
Usage Note
Umiling is the actor-focus intransitive form for the side-to-side head shake signaling 'no' or disapproval — a universal but particularly expressive gesture in Filipino communication. It is often paired with tumanggi or hindi pumayag in narration to reinforce refusal.
Examples
" Umiling siya nang tanungin ko. "
Natural Translation
She shook her head when I asked her.
Literal Translation
Shook-head she when asked I.
" Nakita ko siya na umiling bilang tanda ng pagtanggi. "
Natural Translation
I saw them shake their head as a sign of refusal.
Literal Translation
Saw I them to shake head as sign of refusal.
" Umiling lang ang matandang lalaki nang alukin namin siyang tulungan, dahil ayaw niyang maging pabigat sa iba. "
Natural Translation
The old man just shook his head when we offered to help him, because he didn't want to be a burden to others.
Literal Translation
Shook-head only the old man when offered we him to-help, because not-want he to-become burden to others.
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