mandala
mandalá with stress marks
haystack; circular/square deity image
Usage Note
Mandala in Philippine agricultural tradition refers to a circular pile of harvested rice stalks. The same word appears in religious and artistic contexts as a geometric sacred diagram, reflecting the word's blend of indigenous roots and pre-colonial Hindu-Buddhist influence.
Examples
" Malaki ang mandala sa bukid. "
Natural Translation
The haystack in the field is big.
Literal Translation
Big the haystack in-the field.
" Mataas ang mandala. "
Natural Translation
The haystack is high.
Literal Translation
High the haystack.
" Pagkatapos ng ani, nagtulong-tulong ang mga magsasaka sa pagbuo ng malalaking mandala ng dayami sa gitna ng bukid. "
Natural Translation
After the harvest, the farmers worked together to build large haystacks of straw in the middle of the field.
Literal Translation
After of-the harvest, helped-one-another the [mga] farmer in-the building of large [mga] haystack of straw in middle of-the field.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
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