tambis
támbis with stress marks
indirect statement; indirectly
Usage Note
Tambis describes communication that is oblique or not straightforward — a hint, an insinuation, or a roundabout way of saying something. It reflects a Filipino cultural preference for indirect communication to avoid confrontation or preserve face ('hiya').
Examples
" Tambis lang ang sabi niya. "
Natural Translation
What he said was only a hint.
Literal Translation
Hint only the said he.
" Hindi ko naintindihan ang kanyang tambis. "
Natural Translation
I did not understand his/her indirect statement.
Literal Translation
Not I understood the his/her indirect-statement.
" Sa halip na direktang sabihin, sa tambis na lamang niya ipinaalam na ayaw niya sa plano. "
Natural Translation
Instead of saying it directly, he made it known only through a hint that he disliked the plan.
Literal Translation
In place of directly say, in hint only he made-known that dislike he in plan.
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