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tamban

tambán with stress marks

herring fish

noun tam-BAN Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Tamban (Sardinella lemuru or related species) is a small, oily saltwater fish widely eaten in the Philippines, especially among lower-income households due to its affordability. It is commonly fried, dried, or used in local dishes, and is a staple of Filipino coastal cuisine.

Examples

Beginner

" Mura ang tamban sa palengke. "

Natural Translation

Herring is cheap at the market.

Literal Translation

Cheap the herring-fish at market.

Intermediate

" Masarap iprito ang tamban. "

Natural Translation

Herring fish is delicious to fry.

Literal Translation

Delicious to-fry the herring-fish.

Advanced

" Tuwing kapos sa pera, prinito na lang ng nanay ang tamban dahil mas mura ito kaysa sa ibang isda. "

Natural Translation

Whenever money was tight, mom would just fry herring because it's cheaper than other fish.

Literal Translation

Every short in money, fried just by mother the herring-fish because more cheap it than to other fish.

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