laaw
laáw with stress marks
long shrill shout for help
Usage Note
Laaw is a specific kind of long, shrill cry or shout made to call for help over a distance, typically in rural or outdoor settings. It is distinct from a general scream in that it is intentional and directional, meant to alert others far away. The word is more commonly encountered in provincial contexts.
Examples
" Narinig nila ang laaw mula sa malayo. "
Natural Translation
They heard the shrill cry for help from afar.
Literal Translation
Heard they the shrill-cry from the far.
" Narinig ang laaw ng bata mula sa bundok. "
Natural Translation
The child's shrill cry for help was heard from the mountain.
Literal Translation
Heard the shout of-the child from the mountain.
" Nang matabunan ng lupa ang magsasaka, ang malakas niyang laaw lamang ang umabot sa mga kapitbahay sa kabilang bukid. "
Natural Translation
When the farmer was buried by the soil, only his loud shrill cry for help reached the neighbors in the next field.
Literal Translation
When buried by-the soil the farmer, the loud his shrill-cry only the reached to-the neighbors in-the other field.
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