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tikbalang

tikbaláng with stress marks

mythical centaur-like creature

noun tik-ba-LANG Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Tikbalang is a creature from Philippine folklore with the head and hooves of a horse and the body of a human, said to lead travelers astray in forests. It remains a popular figure in Filipino horror films, comics, and fiction, and is one of the most recognisable creatures in the Philippine mythological canon.

Examples

Beginner

" Takot ako sa tikbalang. "

Natural Translation

I'm afraid of the tikbalang.

Literal Translation

Afraid I of tikbalang.

Intermediate

" May tikbalang daw sa gubat. "

Natural Translation

They say there is a tikbalang in the forest.

Literal Translation

Has tikbalang they-say in forest.

Advanced

" Ayon sa kuwento ng mga matatanda, naliligaw ang mga manlalakbay sa gubat kapag nilalaro sila ng tikbalang. "

Natural Translation

According to the elders' stories, travelers get lost in the forest when the tikbalang toys with them.

Literal Translation

According to story of elders, get-lost the travelers in forest when played-with they by tikbalang.

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