lakwatsa
lakwátsa with stress marks
playing hooky, absenteeism, wandering
Usage Note
Lakwatsa refers to wandering away from school or work without permission, but in modern casual Tagalog it can also mean simply hanging out aimlessly with friends. Parents and teachers use it negatively while peers use it more lightly, giving the word a register split depending on who is speaking.
Examples
" Mahilig siya sa lakwatsa. "
Natural Translation
He/She loves wandering around.
Literal Translation
Fond he/she of wandering.
" Ang lakwatsa sa lungsod ay magastos. "
Natural Translation
Wandering around the city is expensive.
Literal Translation
The wander in-the city is expensive.
" Sa halip na mag-aral, lakwatsa nang lakwatsa ang anak nila kasama ang mga kaibigan. "
Natural Translation
Instead of studying, their child does nothing but gallivant around with friends.
Literal Translation
Instead of study, wander and wander the child their together-with the friends.
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