Skip to content

sungkal

sungkál with stress marks

to dig up using a snout (like a pig)

verb sung-KAL Native origin Rare

Usage Note

Sungkal most literally refers to the rooting action of a pig using its snout to overturn soil. Figuratively, it can describe someone who rummages messily through things. It is commonly heard in rural or agricultural contexts and may also be used humorously to describe a person digging through belongings.

Examples

Beginner

" Sumungkal ang baboy sa lupa. "

Natural Translation

The pig rooted in the soil.

Literal Translation

Rooted the pig in soil.

Intermediate

" Malalim ang sungkal ng baboy. "

Natural Translation

The dig up using a snout of the pig is deep.

Literal Translation

Deep the dig up using a snout of pig.

Advanced

" Habang naghahanap ako ng susi, sinungkal ng aso ang buong basurahan at nagkalat ang dumi. "

Natural Translation

While I was looking for the key, the dog rummaged through the whole trash bin and the filth scattered.

Literal Translation

While searching I of key, rummaged by dog the whole trash-bin and scattered the filth.

Free · iOS & Android

Take Tagalog with you

The full course, a 12,500-word dictionary, and flashcards that make every word stick — free to start on iOS and Android.

Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.

How Tagalog words work

Actor Focus Verbs

Object Focus Verbs

Explore Tagalog by topic

Free guides on grammar, vocabulary, and culture to take you past single-word lookups.