suwi
suwî with stress marks
plant shoot; baby born feet first
Usage Note
Suwi has two distinct senses: in agriculture it refers to a new side shoot or sucker sprouting from a plant, while in traditional midwifery it describes a breech birth where the baby is born feet or bottom first. Both senses involve something emerging in a non-standard or reversed direction. In rural communities a suwi baby was once associated with folk beliefs.
Examples
" May bagong suwi ang saging. "
Natural Translation
The banana plant has a new shoot.
Literal Translation
Has new shoot the banana.
" May bagong suwi ang halaman. "
Natural Translation
The plant has a new plant shoot.
Literal Translation
Has new plant shoot the plant.
" Ibinukod ng magsasaka ang malulusog na suwi upang maitanim sa ibang bahagi ng bukid. "
Natural Translation
The farmer set aside the healthy shoots so they could be planted in another part of the field.
Literal Translation
Set-apart by farmer the healthy shoots so-that to-be-planted in other part of field.
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