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mano po

máno pô with stress marks

blessing request gesture phrase

phrase MA-no PO Spanish origin Common

Usage Note

Mano po is the verbal accompaniment to the mano gesture — a child or young person says it when approaching an elder to request the blessing of the ritual. Saying mano po without following through with the gesture is considered incomplete and slightly rude.

Examples

Beginner

" Mano po, Lola. "

Natural Translation

Your blessing, Grandma.

Literal Translation

Mano po, Grandma.

Intermediate

" Laging sinasabi ng bata ang mano po kapag nakikita ang lolo. "

Natural Translation

The child always says "mano po" when seeing the grandfather.

Literal Translation

Always saying by-the child the mano po when seeing the grandfather.

Advanced

" Tuwing pista, tinuturuan ng mga magulang ang kanilang anak na magmano po sa lahat ng nakatatanda. "

Natural Translation

Every fiesta, parents teach their children to do the "mano po" blessing to all the elders.

Literal Translation

Every fiesta, teaching by-the parents the their child to do-mano po to all of elders.

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