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sapaw

sápaw with stress marks

edibles on rice; blocked (fig); toppings

noun adjective SA-paw Native origin Rare

Also means

Sapaw can also mean overshadowing, taking the spotlight or outshing someone

Usage Note

Sapaw primarily means the viand or toppings placed over rice — the 'ulam' concept expressed as an overlay. Figuratively, something described as sapaw is obstructed or covered over, making it unavailable or hard to access. The word spans culinary and figurative registers in everyday Tagalog.

Examples

Beginner

" Ano ang sapaw mo? "

Natural Translation

What is your topping?

Literal Translation

What the topping your?

Intermediate

" Masarap ang sapaw sa kanin. "

Natural Translation

The toppings on the rice are delicious.

Literal Translation

Delicious the toppings on rice.

Advanced

" Kahit kakaunti ang ulam, sinisiguro ng nanay na may sapaw ang kanin ng bawat anak. "

Natural Translation

Even if there is little viand, mother makes sure that each child's rice has a topping.

Literal Translation

Even-if little the viand, ensures by mother that there-is topping the rice of each child.

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