mala-kalabaw
carabao-like
From root: kalabaw
Usage Note
Mala-kalabaw describes a person who possesses immense physical strength or a tireless work ethic. For example, mala-kalabaw ang kaniyang katawan means his physique is as strong as a carabao.
Examples
" Mala-kalabaw siyang magtrabaho. "
Natural Translation
He works like a carabao.
Literal Translation
Carabao-like he work.
" Siya ay may lakas na mala-kalabaw. "
Natural Translation
He has the strength of a carabao.
Literal Translation
He has strength that is carabao-like.
" Dahil mala-kalabaw ang sipag ng aking ama, kaya niyang magbungkal ng buong bukid mula umaga hanggang gabi. "
Natural Translation
Because my father's diligence is carabao-like, he can till the entire field from morning until night.
Literal Translation
Because carabao-like the diligence of my father, can he till of whole field from morning until night.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workWord family
kalabaw has 3 related forms built from the same root.
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