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kalamba

kalámba with stress marks

wide-mouth jar; aloe wood tree

noun ka-LAM-ba Native origin Rare

Also means

Kalamba also refers to the aloe wood tree (Aquilaria malaccensis), prized for its fragrant resin.

Usage Note

Kalamba refers primarily to a wide-mouthed earthenware or clay jar traditionally used for storing water or grain in Philippine rural households. The word is also the name of a city in Laguna province — the birthplace of José Rizal — making it culturally significant well beyond its common-noun meaning.

Examples

Beginner

" May tubig sa loob ng kalamba. "

Natural Translation

There is water inside the jar.

Literal Translation

There-is water inside of-the jar.

Intermediate

" Naka-imbak ang tubig sa kalamba sa labas ng bahay. "

Natural Translation

The water was stored in a wide jar outside the house.

Literal Translation

Stored the water in-the jar outside of-the house.

Advanced

" Noong wala pang gripo sa kanilang baryo, sa malalaking kalamba nila iniimbak ang tubig na isasalok sa balon. "

Natural Translation

When there was still no faucet in their village, they stored in large jars the water they would draw from the well.

Literal Translation

When not-yet faucet in their village, in large jars they stored the water that would-be-drawn from-the well.

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