kawal
kawál with stress marks
soldier
Usage Note
Kawal is the native Tagalog word for a soldier or military fighter. It is used in historical, literary, and formal contexts, and appears in patriotic songs and national narratives. In everyday modern speech, 'sundalo' (from Spanish) is more common.
Examples
" Magiting ang mga kawal natin. "
Natural Translation
Our soldiers are brave.
Literal Translation
Brave the soldiers ours.
" Ang mga kawal ay handang ipagtanggol ang bansa. "
Natural Translation
The soldiers are ready to defend the country.
Literal Translation
The soldiers are ready to-defend the country.
" Marami sa mga kawal ang nag-alay ng kanilang buhay upang maipagtanggol ang kalayaan ng bayan. "
Natural Translation
Many of the soldiers offered up their lives in order to defend the freedom of the nation.
Literal Translation
Many of the soldiers offered of their life in-order to-defend the freedom of nation.
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