lamas
lamás with stress marks
mash; hand-to-hand battle
Usage Note
Lamas covers two related senses: the physical action of mashing something with the hands (as in kneading dough or mashing ingredients) and, by extension, close physical combat. In culinary use it is practical and neutral; in the fighting sense it is informal and vivid, often appearing in action narratives or colloquial storytelling.
Examples
" Nilamas niya ang masa. "
Natural Translation
He kneaded the dough.
Literal Translation
Kneaded he the dough.
" Nilamas niya ang saging. "
Natural Translation
He mashed the banana.
Literal Translation
Mashed he the banana.
" Habang nagluluto, dahan-dahang nilamas ng lola ang kamoteng nilaga hanggang sa lumambot at maging makinis ito. "
Natural Translation
While cooking, grandmother gently mashed the boiled sweet potato until it softened and became smooth.
Literal Translation
While cooking, slowly mashed by-the grandmother the sweet-potato boiled until softened and became smooth it.
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