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nobisya

nobísya with stress marks

female novice of a religious congregation

noun no-BIS-ya Spanish origin Rare

Usage Note

Nobisya refers to a woman in the formative period of a Catholic religious order — someone who has entered a congregation but has not yet taken final vows. Given the Philippines' strong Catholic tradition and many active religious congregations, the term is recognizable in communities near religious institutions. The masculine equivalent is nobisyo.

Examples

Beginner

" Bagong nobisya siya sa kumbento. "

Natural Translation

She is a new novice at the convent.

Literal Translation

New novice she at convent.

Intermediate

" Isang tahimik na nobisya ang dumating sa kumbento. "

Natural Translation

A quiet novice arrived at the convent.

Literal Translation

One quiet novice the arrived at convent.

Advanced

" Bilang isang nobisya, kailangan muna niyang dumaan sa mahabang panahon ng pag-aaral bago siya manumpa nang ganap sa kongregasyon. "

Natural Translation

As a novice, she must first go through a long period of study before she takes her final vows in the congregation.

Literal Translation

As one novice, need first her to-pass-through long period of study before she vows fully in congregation.

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