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madre-kakaw

madre-kakáw with stress marks

St. Vincent plum tree

noun MAD-re ka-KAW Spanish origin Rare

Usage Note

Madre-kakaw (Chrysobalanus icaco, also known as the cocoplum or St. Vincent plum) is a tropical plant found throughout the Philippines. Its name blends Spanish 'madre' (mother) with 'kakaw' (cacao), though it is unrelated to the cacao tree. It is used in folk medicine and produces small edible fruits. Knowledge of the plant is more common in rural areas.

Examples

Beginner

" Matamis ang bunga ng madre-kakaw. "

Natural Translation

The St. Vincent plum's fruit is sweet.

Literal Translation

Sweet the fruit of-the madre-kakaw.

Intermediate

" Malaki ang madre-kakaw. "

Natural Translation

The St. Vincent plum tree is big.

Literal Translation

Big the St. Vincent plum tree.

Advanced

" Sa probinsiya, ginagamit ng mga matatanda ang dahon ng madre-kakaw bilang gamot, samantalang kinakain naman ng mga bata ang maliliit nitong bunga. "

Natural Translation

In the province, the elders use the leaves of the St. Vincent plum as medicine, while the children eat its small fruits.

Literal Translation

In province, used of-the elders the leaf of madre-kakaw as medicine, while eaten by the children the small its fruit.

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