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saliwa

salíwa with stress marks

awkward; reverse; contrary in position

adjective sa-LI-wa Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Saliwa describes something that is the wrong way around, backwards, or contrary to what is expected — whether a shirt worn inside-out, a misread situation, or an awkward social encounter. It is used both literally and figuratively and is common in casual conversation.

Examples

Beginner

" Saliwa ang suot mong damit. "

Natural Translation

Your shirt is inside-out.

Literal Translation

Reverse the worn your shirt.

Intermediate

" Ang kanyang suot ay saliwa. "

Natural Translation

His/Her clothes are contrary in position.

Literal Translation

The his/her worn is contrary-in-position.

Advanced

" Naging saliwa ang resulta dahil mali ang naunawaan niya sa mga panuto kanina. "

Natural Translation

The result turned out backwards because he misunderstood the instructions earlier.

Literal Translation

Became contrary the result because wrong the understood his of the instructions earlier.

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