kalingkingan
kalingkingán with stress marks
little finger
Usage Note
Kalingkingan is the standard Tagalog term for the pinky finger, derived from the root lingking referring to something small and dangling. It is featured in children's finger-counting songs and rhymes, and is also used figuratively — kahit kalingkingan lang — to express something minimal or just a small amount.
Examples
" Masakit ang kalingkingan ko. "
Natural Translation
My pinky finger hurts.
Literal Translation
Painful the little-finger my.
" Nasugatang bahagya ang kalingkingan niya nang madulas ang kutsilyo. "
Natural Translation
His/Her little finger got slightly cut when the knife slipped.
Literal Translation
Got-cut slightly the little-finger his/her when slipped the knife.
" Handa akong tumulong kahit kalingkingan lang ang maiaambag ko sa proyektong pangkomunidad ninyo. "
Natural Translation
I'm willing to help even if all I can contribute is just a tiny bit to your community project.
Literal Translation
Ready I-that help even little-finger only the can-contribute I in project community your.
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