matsing
mátsing with stress marks
monkey (Macaca philippinensis)
Usage Note
Matsing is the native Tagalog word for monkey, specifically the Philippine macaque, and appears widely in folk tales, idioms, and children's stories. Calling someone matsing is mildly insulting slang for a mischievous or foolish person.
Examples
" May matsing sa puno. "
Natural Translation
There is a monkey in the tree.
Literal Translation
There-is monkey in tree.
" Nakita namin ang isang matsing na kumakain ng saging sa puno. "
Natural Translation
We saw a monkey eating a banana in the tree.
Literal Translation
Saw we the one [ng] monkey that eating of banana in-the tree.
" Tinawag siyang matsing ng kapatid niya dahil mahilig siyang gumawa ng kalokohan na ikinaiinis ng matatanda. "
Natural Translation
His sibling called him a monkey because he loves making mischief that annoys the elders.
Literal Translation
Called him monkey by-the sibling his because fond he making of mischief that annoys of the-elders.
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