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tawilis

tawílis with stress marks

freshwater herring

noun ta-WI-lis Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Tawilis is a small freshwater fish endemic to Taal Lake in Batangas — the only known freshwater sardine in the world. It is a prized local delicacy, typically fried whole and eaten with rice and vinegar. Conservation concerns have made it a symbol of Batangas provincial identity.

Examples

Beginner

" Masarap ang piniritong tawilis. "

Natural Translation

The fried freshwater herring is delicious.

Literal Translation

Delicious the fried freshwater-herring.

Intermediate

" Masarap iprito ang tawilis mula sa lawa. "

Natural Translation

The freshwater herring from the lake is delicious to fry.

Literal Translation

Delicious to-fry the freshwater-herring from lake.

Advanced

" Tuwing umuuwi kami sa Batangas, bumibili kami ng sariwang tawilis sa palengke at iniluluto ito agad upang panatilihing sariwa. "

Natural Translation

Whenever we go home to Batangas, we buy fresh freshwater herring at the market and cook it right away to keep it fresh.

Literal Translation

Every go-home we to Batangas, buy we of fresh freshwater-herring at market and cook this immediately to keep fresh.

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