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sugal

sugál with stress marks

gamble; gambling

noun verb su-GAL Malay origin Less Common

Usage Note

Sugal is the standard Tagalog word for gambling, likely of Malay origin, covering everything from card games to cockfighting bets to illegal numbers games like jueteng. Gambling is both a widespread social activity and a deeply contested topic in Philippine society.

Examples

Beginner

" Mahilig siya sa sugal. "

Natural Translation

He/she is fond of gambling.

Literal Translation

Fond he/she in gambling.

Intermediate

" Masama ang epekto ng sugal. "

Natural Translation

The effect of gambling is bad.

Literal Translation

Bad the effect of gambling.

Advanced

" Maraming pamilya ang nasira dahil sa sugal na unti-unting nagpapalubog sa kanilang kabuhayan. "

Natural Translation

Many families have been destroyed by gambling that slowly sinks their livelihood.

Literal Translation

Many family the destroyed because in gambling that slowly sinking in their livelihood.

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