Usage Note
Mais is the everyday Filipino word for corn or maize, borrowed from Spanish 'maíz'. It is a dietary staple in many parts of the Philippines, particularly in Visayas and Mindanao, where corn replaces rice as the primary grain. Roasted corn on the cob ('mais na inihaw') is a beloved street food sold by vendors throughout the country.
Examples
" Gusto ko ng pinakuluang mais. "
Natural Translation
I want some boiled corn.
Literal Translation
Want I of boiled corn.
" Masarap ang mais. "
Natural Translation
The corn is delicious.
Literal Translation
Delicious the corn.
" Sa probinsya namin, ang mais ang pangunahing pagkain sa halip na bigas, kaya bawat almusal ay may lutong mais. "
Natural Translation
In our province, corn is the main food instead of rice, so every breakfast has cooked corn.
Literal Translation
In province our, the corn the main food instead of rice, so every breakfast has cooked corn.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
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