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sabi-sabi

sabi-sábi with stress marks

hearsay; rumor

noun sa-bi-SA-bi DERIVED Reduplicated origin Less Common

From root: sabi

Usage Note

Sabi-sabi is a reduplicated form of sabi that emphasizes unverified, circulating talk — the kind of thing repeated so often it takes on a life of its own. The reduplication pattern conveys words being passed around repeatedly, and the term is used to dismiss something as mere gossip.

Examples

Beginner

" Sabi-sabi lang iyan. "

Natural Translation

That's just hearsay.

Literal Translation

Hearsay only that.

Intermediate

" Huwag kang maniwala sa sabi-sabi. "

Natural Translation

Do not believe in hearsay.

Literal Translation

Do-not you believe in hearsay.

Advanced

" Kumalat ang sabi-sabi na magsasara na ang pabrika, pero wala pa namang opisyal na anunsyo. "

Natural Translation

The rumor spread that the factory would close, but there's still no official announcement.

Literal Translation

Spread the hearsay that will-close already the factory, but none yet really official announcement.

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Word family

sabi has 3 related forms built from the same root.

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