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semilya

semílya with stress marks

seed; germ

noun se-MIL-ya Spanish origin Less Common

Usage Note

Semilya comes from the Spanish 'semilla' (seed) and is used in agricultural contexts for seeds or germplasm. In farming it refers to what is kept back for planting, and that is the sense used in everyday speech, especially in rural areas.

Examples

Beginner

" Bumili siya ng semilya ng gulay. "

Natural Translation

He bought vegetable seeds.

Literal Translation

Bought he of seed of vegetable.

Intermediate

" Bumili siya ng semilya ng isda para sa palaisdaan. "

Natural Translation

He/She bought fish seeds for the fishpond.

Literal Translation

Bought he/she of seed of fish for fishpond.

Advanced

" Tinuruan ng matandang magsasaka ang kanyang mga apo kung paano pumili ng matibay na semilya bago magtanim sa simula ng tag-ulan. "

Natural Translation

The old farmer taught his grandchildren how to choose sturdy seeds before planting at the start of the rainy season.

Literal Translation

Taught of old farmer the his plural grandchild how to-choose of sturdy seed before to-plant at start of rainy-season.

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