pulis
pulís with stress marks
police officer
Usage Note
Pulis refers to both an individual police officer and the force as a whole, borrowed directly from English. The prefix mag- forms magpulis for working as an officer, and it doubles as a verb when someone says they will pulisin a situation — police or enforce it.
Examples
" May pulis sa kanto. "
Natural Translation
There is a police officer at the corner.
Literal Translation
Has police at-the corner.
" Tumawag ka ng pulis. "
Natural Translation
Call the police.
Literal Translation
Call you of police.
" Mabuti na lang at dumating agad ang pulis nang marinig nilang may nagnanakaw sa katabing bahay. "
Natural Translation
It's a good thing the police arrived right away when they heard that someone was robbing the house next door.
Literal Translation
Good just only and arrived immediately the police when heard they-link has stealing in adjacent-link house.
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