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tinola

tinolâ with stress marks

chicken ginger stew

noun ti-no-LA Native origin Common

Usage Note

Tinola is a classic Filipino soup made with chicken, ginger, green papaya or sayote (chayote), and malunggay (moringa) leaves in a clear broth. It is one of the first dishes taught to new cooks and is associated with home comfort and care for the sick. It is famously referenced in José Rizal's novel Noli Me Tangere, cementing its place in Philippine cultural identity.

Examples

Beginner

" Masarap ang tinola. "

Natural Translation

The chicken stew is delicious.

Literal Translation

Delicious the chicken-stew.

Intermediate

" Nagluto si nanay ng tinola. "

Natural Translation

Mother cooked chicken ginger stew.

Literal Translation

Cooked mother of chicken ginger stew.

Advanced

" Tuwing may maysakit sa bahay ay nagluluto si lola ng mainit na tinola na may luya at dahon ng malunggay. "

Natural Translation

Whenever someone at home is sick, grandmother cooks hot chicken stew with ginger and moringa leaves.

Literal Translation

Every has sick-person at house cooks grandmother of hot chicken-stew that-has ginger and leaf of moringa.

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