tabak
tabák with stress marks
large single-edged knife; to cut with it
Usage Note
Tabak is a large, heavy single-edged knife or bolo used for clearing vegetation, harvesting crops, or as a weapon, and is a quintessential tool of rural Filipino life. It also appears in historical accounts of resistance fighters, and the verb tabakan means to strike or cut with such a blade.
Examples
" Matalim ang tabak. "
Natural Translation
The large knife is sharp.
Literal Translation
Sharp the large-knife.
" Matulis ang kanyang tabak. "
Natural Translation
His/her large single-edged knife is sharp.
Literal Translation
Sharp the his/her large single-edged knife.
" Bago lumusong sa bukid, hinasa muna ng magsasaka ang kanyang tabak upang madaling maputol ang masukal na damo. "
Natural Translation
Before going down to the field, the farmer first sharpened his bolo so the thick weeds could be cut easily.
Literal Translation
Before go-down to field, sharpened first by farmer the his large-knife so easily be-cut the thick weeds.
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