tabtab
tábtab with stress marks
to trim, hem, or chip off
Usage Note
Tabtab refers to cutting away edges or excess material, whether trimming cloth, chipping stone, or paring down rough surfaces. It is a reduplicated root that conveys the repetitive, small-scale nature of the cutting action. Common in craft and construction contexts.
Examples
" Tabtabin mo ang dulo ng tabla. "
Natural Translation
Trim the end of the board.
Literal Translation
Trim you the end of board.
" Kailangan tabtab ang dulo ng kahoy. "
Natural Translation
The end of the wood needs to chip off.
Literal Translation
Need chip off the end of wood.
" Maingat na tinabtab ng karpintero ang mga gilid ng kahoy upang magkasya ito sa marka na iginuhit niya. "
Natural Translation
The carpenter carefully trimmed the edges of the wood so that it would fit the line he had drawn.
Literal Translation
Careful trimmed by carpenter the edges of wood so-that fit this to mark that drew he.
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