Usage Note
Kabayong-dagat is a compound of kabayo (horse) and dagat (sea), literally sea horse, and is the standard Tagalog term for the marine creature. Seahorses are found in Philippine coastal waters and are sometimes used in traditional medicine, though this practice is now regulated due to conservation concerns.
Examples
" May kabayong-dagat sa akwaryum. "
Natural Translation
There is a seahorse in the aquarium.
Literal Translation
Has sea-horse in aquarium.
" Nakakita kami ng kabayong-dagat sa ilalim ng dagat habang nagsisimba. "
Natural Translation
We saw a seahorse underwater while snorkeling.
Literal Translation
Saw we of sea-horse in-the under of sea while snorkeling.
" Habang nagsi-snorkeling kami sa bahura, nakita namin ang isang maliit na kabayong-dagat na nakakapit sa korales. "
Natural Translation
While we were snorkeling on the reef, we saw a tiny seahorse clinging to the coral.
Literal Translation
While snorkeling we in reef, saw we the one small sea-horse clinging in coral.
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