Usage Note
Kalam specifically describes the uncomfortable gnawing or cramping sensation in the stomach caused by hunger, rather than hunger as a general state (which is gutom). The verb form is kumakalám — the stomach growling or aching with hunger. It is used in everyday, colloquial speech.
Examples
" May kalam ang tiyan ko. "
Natural Translation
My stomach has hunger pangs.
Literal Translation
Has hunger-pangs the stomach my.
" May kalam akong nararamdaman sa tiyan. "
Natural Translation
I feel some hunger pangs in my stomach.
Literal Translation
Has hunger-pangs I-that feeling in stomach.
" Dahil hindi siya nakakain ng tanghalian, kumakalam na ang kanyang tiyan bago pa man dumating ang hapunan. "
Natural Translation
Because she hadn't been able to eat lunch, her stomach was already growling well before dinner arrived.
Literal Translation
Because not she able-to-eat of lunch, growling already the her stomach before still even arrive the dinner.
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