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sawsaw

sawsáw with stress marks

to dip; to meddle (slang)

verb saw-SAW Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Sawsaw literally means to dip food into a sauce or condiment — a ubiquitous act in Filipino dining culture. Colloquially it means to butt into someone else's business or conversation, used most often in the reproachful phrase 'huwag kang sumusawsaw' to tell someone to stop meddling.

Examples

Beginner

" Isawsaw mo ang isda sa toyo. "

Natural Translation

Dip the fish in the soy sauce.

Literal Translation

Dip you the fish in soy-sauce.

Intermediate

" Isang mabilis na sawsaw lang sa sarsa ang gusto ko. "

Natural Translation

Just a quick dipping in the sauce is what I want.

Literal Translation

One fast that dip only in-the sauce the want I.

Advanced

" Huwag kang sumawsaw sa usapan ng matatanda kung wala kang alam tungkol sa pinag-uusapan nila. "

Natural Translation

Don't butt into the elders' conversation if you don't know anything about what they're talking about.

Literal Translation

Don't you meddle in conversation of elders if none you know about the discussed they.

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