Usage Note
Tinta is a Spanish loanword and the standard Tagalog word for ink, used in everyday contexts from ballpens and printers to calligraphy. It also appears in the phrase tinta ng pusit — squid ink used in Filipino cuisine.
Examples
" Wala nang tinta ang printer. "
Natural Translation
The printer is out of ink.
Literal Translation
None already ink the printer.
" Ubos na ang tinta ng aking bolpen. "
Natural Translation
The ink of my pen is used up.
Literal Translation
Used up already the ink of my pen.
" Itim na itim ang kanyang mga daliri dahil tumagas ang tinta ng luma niyang pluma habang sumusulat. "
Natural Translation
Her fingers were pitch-black because the ink of her old fountain pen leaked while she was writing.
Literal Translation
Black very the her fingers because leaked the ink of old her pen while writing.
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