nguya
nguyâ with stress marks
chewing
Usage Note
Nguyâ is commonly used in both actor-focus (magnguyâ) and object-focus (nguyain) forms when discussing the process of chewing. It is frequently heard during mealtimes, especially as a reminder to children to chew their food thoroughly for safety and proper digestion.
Examples
" Mabagal ang nguya ng matanda. "
Natural Translation
The old man's chewing is slow.
Literal Translation
Slow the chewing of-the old-man.
" Maingay ang nguya ng bata. "
Natural Translation
The child's chewing is noisy.
Literal Translation
Noisy the chew of-the child.
" Lagi kaming pinapaalalahanan ni Inay na dahan-dahanin ang nguya ng pagkain upang hindi mabulunan. "
Natural Translation
Mom always reminds us to chew our food slowly so we don't choke.
Literal Translation
Always us being-reminded by Mom to slow-down the chewing of food so-that not choke.
Take Tagalog with you
The full course, a 12,500-word dictionary, and flashcards that make every word stick — free to start on iOS and Android.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
How Tagalog words workDerived Words
Actor Focus Verbs
Object Focus Verbs
Related Words
Explore Tagalog by topic
Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.
Philippines Geography for Learners: Islands & Language
Philippines geography for Tagalog learners: 7,641 islands, three island groups, and the Southern Luzon heartland where the Tagalog language was born.
Spaced Repetition for Tagalog: How Flashcards Make Words Stick
Cramming Tagalog vocabulary fails. See how spaced repetition — the science behind smart flashcards — makes words stick for the long term.
Na vs -ng in Tagalog: The Linker Rule Made Simple
When do you use na vs -ng in Tagalog? One simple rule, with clear examples, memory tips, and common mistakes explained for English-speaking beginners.
Tagalog Question Words: Ano, Sino, Saan & More
Tagalog question words like ano, sino, and saan need the right frame to work. Learn the ang-vs-pronoun rule, confusable pairs, and the ba particle with audio.