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sitsirya

sitsírya with stress marks

junk food

noun sit-SIR-ya Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Sitsirya is a colloquial Filipino term for chips, crackers, and packaged snack foods — what English speakers call junk food. It is used affectionately rather than pejoratively in everyday speech and is a staple of Filipino merienda culture, the afternoon snack tradition enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Examples

Beginner

" Gusto ko ng sitsirya. "

Natural Translation

I want some junk food.

Literal Translation

Want I of junk-food.

Intermediate

" Hindi mabuti sa kalusugan ang sitsirya. "

Natural Translation

Junk food is not good for the health.

Literal Translation

Not good for health the junk food.

Advanced

" Kahit alam kong hindi ito masustansya, hindi ko talaga mapigilan ang sarili kapag may sitsirya sa mesa. "

Natural Translation

Even though I know it isn't nutritious, I really can't stop myself when there's junk food on the table.

Literal Translation

Even-though know I-that not this nutritious, not I really can-stop the self when has junk-food on table.

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