kapitan
kapitán with stress marks
captain; local chief
Usage Note
Kapitan is a Spanish loanword most commonly used in the Philippines for the barangay captain (punong barangay), the elected head of the smallest administrative unit. It also covers military and ship captains, and historically referred to colonial-era local officials.
Examples
" Si Tatay ay kapitan ng barangay. "
Natural Translation
Dad is the barangay captain.
Literal Translation
Father captain of barangay.
" Pumunta kami sa kapitan ng barangay para sa aming reklamong pangkapayapaan. "
Natural Translation
We went to the barangay captain to file our peace complaint.
Literal Translation
Went we to-the captain of-the barangay for our complaint regarding-peace.
" Inihalal nila ang bagong kapitan dahil nangako itong aayusin ang mga kalsada at tutulong sa mga mahihirap na pamilya. "
Natural Translation
They elected the new captain because he promised to fix the roads and help the poor families.
Literal Translation
Elected they the new captain because promised this will-fix the roads and will-help to the poor families.
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