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pusali

pusáli with stress marks

sludge; miry drainage place

noun pu-SA-li Native origin Rare

Usage Note

Pusali refers to a muddy, swampy, or sludgy drainage area, often found near rivers, fields, or low-lying areas after heavy rain. It is used in rural contexts and in descriptions of difficult terrain. The word evokes the challenges of navigating flooded or waterlogged areas common in the Philippine rainy season.

Examples

Beginner

" Mabaho ang tubig sa pusali. "

Natural Translation

The water in the sludge stinks.

Literal Translation

Stinky the water in sludge.

Intermediate

" Nahulog ang kanilang sapatos sa pusali. "

Natural Translation

Their shoes fell into the sludge.

Literal Translation

Fell the their shoes in sludge.

Advanced

" Matapos ang malakas na ulan, naging pusali ang daan kaya nahirapan kaming dumaan papunta sa aming bahay. "

Natural Translation

After the heavy rain, the road turned into sludge, so we had a hard time passing on the way to our house.

Literal Translation

After the strong rain, became sludge the road so had-difficulty we to-pass going to our house.

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