nganga
ngangà with stress marks
a mixture of betel leaf, pepper, and lime for chewing
Also means
Nganga can also mean the act of opening one's mouth wide when the stress falls on the final syllable.
Usage Note
Nganga refers to the traditional Filipino betel-nut chewing preparation — a mixture of betel leaf, pepper, and lime — once widespread among indigenous and older rural communities. The mixture stains teeth and lips red and is associated with elder Filipinos and certain indigenous groups in Luzon and the Visayas.
Examples
" Pula ang ngipin niya sa nganga. "
Natural Translation
His teeth are red from the betel chew.
Literal Translation
Red the teeth his from betel-mixture.
" Ang mga matatanda sa probinsya ay nakasanayan nang ngumunguya ng nganga. "
Natural Translation
The elders in the province are used to chewing betel nut mixture.
Literal Translation
The plural elder in province is used already chewing of betel-nut-mixture.
" Tuwing dumadalaw kami sa lola, lagi siyang nakangiti habang ngumunguya ng nganga sa kanyang upuan. "
Natural Translation
Whenever we visit grandmother, she is always smiling while chewing betel mixture in her chair.
Literal Translation
Every visiting we to grandmother, always she smiling while chewing of betel-mixture in her chair.
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