mata
matá with stress marks
eye; to humiliate
Also means
Mata can also mean to see or to wake up in archaic contexts.
Usage Note
Mata is central to many common idioms like 'matang-lawin' (hawk-eyed) for sharp vision and 'pikit-mata' (eyes closed) for doing something despite fear or reluctance. These expressions are frequently used in daily conversation to describe character traits and attitudes.
Examples
" Maganda ang iyong mga mata. "
Natural Translation
Your eyes are beautiful.
Literal Translation
Beautiful the your eyes.
" Malinaw ang aking mga mata. "
Natural Translation
My eyes are clear.
Literal Translation
Clear the my eye.
" Kahit hindi siya nagsasalita, nababasa ko sa kanyang mga mata na may malalim siyang dinadalang problema. "
Natural Translation
Even though she isn't speaking, I can read in her eyes that she is carrying a deep problem.
Literal Translation
Even-if not she speaks, can-read I in her eyes that has deep she carrying problem.
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