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sawali

sawáli with stress marks

interwoven bamboo for walling

noun sa-WA-li Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Sawali is a traditional Filipino building material made from woven split bamboo strips used for walls and partitions. It is closely associated with rural and bahay kubo architecture and evokes a sense of provincial simplicity and heritage.

Examples

Beginner

" Sawali ang pader namin. "

Natural Translation

Our wall is woven bamboo.

Literal Translation

Woven-bamboo the wall our.

Intermediate

" Gawa sa sawali ang dingding. "

Natural Translation

The wall is made of interwoven bamboo.

Literal Translation

Made of interwoven-bamboo the wall.

Advanced

" Ang lumang bahay kubo ng aking lolo ay yari sa sawali at kawayan, kaya presko ito kahit tag-init. "

Natural Translation

My grandfather's old nipa hut is made of woven bamboo and bamboo poles, so it stays cool even in summer.

Literal Translation

The old nipa-hut of my grandfather is made of woven-bamboo and bamboo, so cool it even summer.

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