mulaga
mulagâ with stress marks
suddenly unable to speak; wide-eyed
Usage Note
Mulaga describes a state of stunned silence or wide-eyed shock — typically when someone is so surprised or frightened that they freeze and cannot speak. It captures a very specific moment of paralysis from astonishment that 'nagulat' does not fully convey.
Examples
" Mulaga siya sa takot. "
Natural Translation
She was struck speechless with fear.
Literal Translation
Speechless-stunned she with fear.
" Naging mulaga siya nang makita niya ang malaking ahas sa kwarto. "
Natural Translation
He/She became wide-eyed when he/she saw the big snake in the room.
Literal Translation
Became wide-eyed he/she when saw he/she the big snake in room.
" Nanatili siyang mulaga sa kanyang upuan, hindi makapagsalita matapos marinig ang nakakagulat na balita tungkol sa aksidente. "
Natural Translation
She remained frozen and speechless in her seat after hearing the shocking news about the accident.
Literal Translation
Remained she-LINK stunned-speechless in her seat, not able-to-speak after to-hear the shocking LINK news about the accident.
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