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teks

children's playing cards; to send a text message

noun verb TEKS English origin Less Common

Usage Note

Teks has two distinct meanings. As a noun it refers to the small illustrated trading cards that Filipino children collect and use in sidewalk games — a pastime particularly popular in the 1980s and 1990s. In modern usage, magteks or i-teks means to send a text message, reflecting English influence on Filipino digital communication.

Examples

Beginner

" Mag-teks ka sa nanay. "

Natural Translation

Send a text to Mom.

Literal Translation

Text you to mother.

Intermediate

" Nagpadala siya ng teks sa akin kanina. "

Natural Translation

He/she sent a text message to me earlier.

Literal Translation

Sent he/she of text-message to me earlier.

Advanced

" Noong bata pa kami, naglalaro kami ng teks sa kanto bago dumating ang panahon ng mga cellphone at internet. "

Natural Translation

When we were still kids, we used to play teks cards at the street corner before the time of cellphones and the internet came.

Literal Translation

When child still we, playing we of teks-cards at corner before came the time of cellphones and internet.

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