tinga
tingâ with stress marks
food particle between teeth
Usage Note
Tinga refers to a small piece of food lodged between the teeth. Telling someone they have tinga is considered a helpful, familiar act between friends or family, not an embarrassing comment. The word also appears in the name of the popular dish Chicken Tinga, though that usage is of Mexican origin and unrelated.
Examples
" May tinga ka sa ngipin. "
Natural Translation
You have food stuck in your teeth.
Literal Translation
Has food-particle you in teeth.
" May tinga siya sa ngipin. "
Natural Translation
He/She has a food particle between his/her teeth.
Literal Translation
Has food particle he/she in teeth.
" Bago ka humarap sa kamera, tanggalin mo muna ang tinga sa iyong ngipin para hindi nakakahiya. "
Natural Translation
Before you face the camera, first remove the food stuck in your teeth so it won't be embarrassing.
Literal Translation
Before you face the camera, remove you first the food-particle in your teeth so not embarrassing.
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