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kangkong

kángkong with stress marks

swamp cabbage, water spinach

noun KANG-kong Native origin Common

Usage Note

Kangkong (Ipomoea aquatica), also called water spinach or morning glory, is one of the most common and affordable vegetables in Philippine cooking. It grows abundantly in waterlogged soil and is a staple ingredient in adobo, sinigang, and stir-fries. In colloquial speech, calling someone 'kangkong' can imply they are cheap or of low value, reflecting its reputation as a poor person's vegetable.

Examples

Beginner

" Mura ang kangkong sa palengke. "

Natural Translation

Water spinach is cheap at the market.

Literal Translation

Cheap the water-spinach at-the market.

Intermediate

" Masustansya ang ginisang kangkong na may bawang at toyo. "

Natural Translation

Sautéed water spinach with garlic and soy sauce is nutritious.

Literal Translation

Nutritious the sautéed water spinach with garlic and soy-sauce.

Advanced

" Kahit limitado ang aming budget, masustansya pa rin ang ginisang kangkong na laging nasa aming hapag. "

Natural Translation

Even though our budget is limited, the sautéed water spinach always on our table is still nutritious.

Literal Translation

Even-though limited the our budget, nutritious still also the sautéed water-spinach that always on our table.

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