sapi
sapî with stress marks
spirit possession; joining a group
Usage Note
Sapi has two distinct senses: in folk religion and supernatural belief, it describes a spirit entering and taking over a person's body — a phenomenon taken seriously in many Filipino communities; in a more neutral sense, it means to join or affiliate with an organization. Context makes the meaning clear, and the supernatural sense carries cultural weight in indigenous and folk-Catholic contexts.
Examples
" May sapi ang bata. "
Natural Translation
The child is possessed by a spirit.
Literal Translation
Has spirit-possession the child.
" May sapi ang lalaki. "
Natural Translation
The man has spirit possession.
Literal Translation
There-is spirit-possession the man.
" Ayon sa matatanda sa baryo, may sapi ang dalaga kaya tinawag nila ang albularyo upang tumulong. "
Natural Translation
According to the elders in the village, the young woman was possessed by a spirit, so they called the folk healer to help.
Literal Translation
According to elders in village, has spirit-possession the young-woman so called by-them the folk-healer so-that help.
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