kalembang
kalembáng with stress marks
tolling of bells
Usage Note
Kalembang refers specifically to the slow, resonant tolling of church bells — particularly the deep, mournful sound used to announce a death or during funeral rites. It is an evocative word in Philippine literature and Catholic tradition, closely tied to the soundscape of rural Filipino life.
Examples
" Narinig ko ang kalembang. "
Natural Translation
I heard the tolling of the bells.
Literal Translation
Heard I the tolling.
" Narinig nila ang kalembang ng kampana ng simbahan. "
Natural Translation
They heard the tolling of the church bell.
Literal Translation
Heard they the tolling of-the bell of-the church.
" Tuwing umaga, ginigising kami ng malalim na kalembang ng kampana mula sa lumang simbahan sa kabayanan. "
Natural Translation
Every morning, we are woken by the deep tolling of the bell from the old church in town.
Literal Translation
Every morning, wakes us the deep tolling of-the bell from the old church in-the town.
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