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nguso

ngúso with stress marks

the middle part of the upper lip

noun NGU-so Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Nguso refers to the protruding central area of the lips, and in practice is widely used to mean the lips or mouth in general — especially when pouting. Pointing with the lips (called 'nguso' as a gesture) is a characteristically Filipino non-verbal cue used to indicate direction instead of using a finger.

Examples

Beginner

" Nakanguso siya nang kaunti. "

Natural Translation

She pouted her lips a little.

Literal Translation

Pouted-lip she of little.

Intermediate

" Mahaba ang kanyang nguso kapag siya ay nagtatampo. "

Natural Translation

His/her upper lip is long when he/she is sulking.

Literal Translation

Long the his/her upper-lip when he/she is sulking.

Advanced

" Sa halip na ituro ng daliri ang daan, itinuro na lamang niya ito sa pamamagitan ng kanyang nguso. "

Natural Translation

Instead of pointing the way with a finger, she simply indicated it by pursing her lips.

Literal Translation

In place of to-point of finger the way, indicated just she it by means of her pursed-lips.

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