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lata

can; tin; softness

noun LA-ta Spanish origin Less Common

Also means

As a second sense, lata can also refer to a flimsiness or physical softness (e.g., lata ng katawan — soft or flabby body).

Usage Note

Lata is a Spanish loanword (from lata, tin can) ubiquitous in Philippine kitchens for canned goods. It also appears in the recycled-material economy — flattened tin cans are used in folk crafts and informal construction.

Examples

Beginner

" May lata ng sardinas sa lamesa. "

Natural Translation

There's a can of sardines on the table.

Literal Translation

There-is can of sardines on table.

Intermediate

" Bili ka ng lata. "

Natural Translation

Buy a can.

Literal Translation

Buy you of can.

Advanced

" Tinipon namin ang mga lata pagkatapos ng handaan upang ibenta sa nangongolekta ng bakal. "

Natural Translation

We gathered the cans after the party to sell to the scrap-metal collector.

Literal Translation

Gathered we the plural cans after of party so-that to-sell to collector of metal.

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