salat
sálat with stress marks
scarce; in poverty
Also means
Salat also means to feel with the fingers when used as a verb with shifted stress.
Usage Note
Salat in this sense describes a state of scarcity or destitution — lacking resources, money, or basic necessities. It is used with empathy rather than judgment in Filipino speech, appearing often in discussions of poverty, hardship, and advocacy writing.
Examples
" Salat sila sa pagkain. "
Natural Translation
They are short of food.
Literal Translation
Scarce they in food.
" Sila ay salat sa pera. "
Natural Translation
They are scarce in money.
Literal Translation
They are scarce in money.
" Bagaman salat sa pera ang pamilya, hindi sila kailanman naging salat sa pagmamahal sa isa't isa. "
Natural Translation
Although the family was short on money, they were never lacking in love for one another.
Literal Translation
Although scarce in money the family, not they ever became scarce in love to each other.
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