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nobena

nobéna with stress marks

novena

noun no-BE-na Spanish origin Common

Usage Note

Nobena is a nine-day Catholic prayer devotion widely practiced in the Philippines before major feasts such as Christmas, the Feast of the Santo Niño, or a parish patron saint's day. The Simbang Gabi novena of dawn Masses in December is among the most beloved, reflecting the deep integration of Catholic devotion into everyday Filipino life.

Examples

Beginner

" Mag-nobena tayo bukas ng umaga. "

Natural Translation

Let's do the novena tomorrow morning.

Literal Translation

Do-novena we tomorrow of morning.

Intermediate

" Nagsimula na ang nobena para sa pista ng bayan. "

Natural Translation

The novena for the town fiesta has already started.

Literal Translation

Started already the novena for feast of town.

Advanced

" Tuwing Disyembre, dumadalo ang buong baryo sa siyam na araw na nobena bago sumapit ang kapistahan ng Pasko. "

Natural Translation

Every December, the whole village attends the nine-day novena before the Christmas celebration arrives.

Literal Translation

Every December, attends the whole village in nine that day that novena before arrives the celebration of Christmas.

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