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patis

patís with stress marks

fish sauce

noun pa-TIS Native origin Common
Illustration of "patis" (fish sauce)

Usage Note

Patis is a salty, fermented fish sauce used as a seasoning for soups and stews or as a base for dipping sauces. It is commonly paired with calamansi to create a 'sawsawan' for fried or grilled dishes.

Examples

Beginner

" Maalat ang patis. "

Natural Translation

The fish sauce is salty.

Literal Translation

Salty the fish-sauce.

Intermediate

" Kulang ang lasa, dagdagan mo ng patis. "

Natural Translation

The taste is lacking, add some fish sauce.

Literal Translation

Lacking the taste, add you of fish sauce.

Advanced

" Kapag walang asin sa bahay, gumagamit ako ng patis na may kalamansi para hindi matabang ang sinigang. "

Natural Translation

When there's no salt at home, I use fish sauce with calamansi so the sinigang won't be bland.

Literal Translation

When none salt in house, using I of fish-sauce that-has calamansi so not bland the sinigang.

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