timawa
timawâ with stress marks
freeman; emancipated slave; destitute
Usage Note
Timawa historically referred to a middle class of freemen in pre-colonial Philippine society — neither datu (nobility) nor alipin (debt bondage). In modern usage it has shifted to mean a poor or destitute person. The word carries historical weight and is often encountered in literature, history books, and formal discourse about Filipino heritage.
Examples
" Timawa lamang ang kanyang pamilya. "
Natural Translation
His family is merely poor.
Literal Translation
Poor only the his family.
" Isang timawa ang nagligtas sa hari. "
Natural Translation
A freeman saved the king.
Literal Translation
A freeman the saved to king.
" Bago dumating ang mga Espanyol, ang timawa ay isang malayang uri sa lipunan na hindi maharlika ngunit hindi rin alipin. "
Natural Translation
Before the Spaniards arrived, the timawa were a free class in society who were neither nobility nor slaves.
Literal Translation
Before arrived the Spaniards, the freeman is one free class in society that not nobility but not also slave.
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