kuto
kutô with stress marks
louse (head lice)
Usage Note
Kuto is the common Tagalog word for head lice. Grooming for lice (paghanap ng kuto) is a traditional bonding activity between family members and is a familiar sight in rural and urban communities alike. The act is often associated with care and intimacy.
Examples
" May kuto ang bata. "
Natural Translation
The child has lice.
Literal Translation
Has lice the child.
" Naghanap ng kuto ang nanay sa buhok ng bata. "
Natural Translation
The mother looked for lice in the child's hair.
Literal Translation
Looked-for lice the mother in-the hair of-the child.
" Tuwing bakasyon, hinahanapan ng lola ang mga apo ng kuto habang nagkukuwentuhan sila sa labas ng bahay. "
Natural Translation
Every vacation, grandmother grooms the grandchildren for lice while they chat outside the house.
Literal Translation
Every vacation, looks-for-in the grandmother the [mga] grandchildren of lice while chatting they at outside of-the house.
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