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subo

subò with stress marks

to put food in mouth; to get into trouble

verb su-BO Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Subo is a native Tagalog verb with two common senses: literally, to place food into one's mouth or someone else's mouth, as a parent does for a child; figuratively, nasubo means to find oneself unwittingly caught in a difficult or unintended situation. Both senses are common in daily speech.

Examples

Beginner

" Sinubo ng nanay ang kanin. "

Natural Translation

The mother put the rice in (the child's) mouth.

Literal Translation

Put-in-mouth the mother the rice.

Intermediate

" Malaki ang kanyang subo ng kanin. "

Natural Translation

His/her putting of food in the mouth of rice is big.

Literal Translation

Big the his/her putting of food in mouth of rice.

Advanced

" Nasubo siya sa pangako na hindi niya kayang tuparin, kaya ngayon ay nahihirapan na siyang humanap ng paraan para makaalis. "

Natural Translation

He got himself caught in a promise he couldn't keep, so now he's struggling to find a way out.

Literal Translation

Got-caught he in promise that not he able fulfill, so now is struggling already he to-find of way to leave.

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