Usage Note
Tambutso is the everyday Filipino term for the exhaust pipe of a vehicle, derived from the Spanish 'tubo de combustión' or a related form. It is used by mechanics, drivers, and commuters to discuss vehicle emissions and maintenance. The word is firmly embedded in informal transport vocabulary.
Examples
" Sira ang tambutso ng kotse. "
Natural Translation
The car's exhaust pipe is broken.
Literal Translation
Broken the exhaust-pipe of car.
" Maiitim ang usok mula sa tambutso ng sasakyan. "
Natural Translation
The smoke from the exhaust pipe of the vehicle is black.
Literal Translation
Black the smoke from exhaust-pipe of vehicle.
" Maingay at maitim ang usok na lumalabas sa tambutso ng lumang dyip, kaya kailangan na itong dalhin sa mekaniko. "
Natural Translation
The smoke coming out of the old jeepney's exhaust pipe is loud and black, so it needs to be taken to the mechanic now.
Literal Translation
Loud and black the smoke coming-out at exhaust-pipe of old jeepney, so needs already it brought to mechanic.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
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