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kakawate

kakawáte with stress marks

St. Vincent plum; tree of iron

noun ka-ka-WA-te Native origin Rare

Usage Note

Kakawate (Gliricidia sepium) is a fast-growing tree common throughout the Philippines, widely used as a living fence post, firebreak, and shade tree for cacao and coffee farms. Its bright pink flowers appear dramatically when the tree is leafless during the dry season.

Examples

Beginner

" Mataas ang kakawate sa likod-bahay. "

Natural Translation

The kakawate tree behind the house is tall.

Literal Translation

Tall the kakawate at backyard.

Intermediate

" Gumamit sila ng kakawate bilang bakod sa kanilang bukid. "

Natural Translation

They used kakawate trees as a fence for their farm.

Literal Translation

Used they of kakawate as fence in their farm.

Advanced

" Tuwing tag-init, namumukadkad ang mga pulang bulaklak ng kakawate kahit walang dahon ang buong puno. "

Natural Translation

Every dry season, the pink flowers of the kakawate bloom even though the whole tree has no leaves.

Literal Translation

Every dry-season, bloom the red flowers of-the kakawate even-though no leaf the whole tree.

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