tuka
túka with stress marks
beak; bill of a fowl; to peck
Usage Note
Tuka describes both the beak of a bird and the action of pecking, and is highly practical in rural and agricultural contexts where chickens and ducks forage. Figuratively it can describe someone eating in small, birdlike bites, often used affectionately about children who eat little.
Examples
" Maganda ang tuka ng ibon. "
Natural Translation
The bird's beak is beautiful.
Literal Translation
Beautiful the beak of bird.
" Mahaba ang tuka ng ibon. "
Natural Translation
The beak of the bird is long.
Literal Translation
Long the beak of bird.
" Gamit ang matulis nitong tuka, mabilis na natuka ng manok ang mga butil ng palay sa lupa. "
Natural Translation
Using its pointed beak, the chicken quickly pecked the grains of rice on the ground.
Literal Translation
Using the pointed its beak, quickly pecked of-the chicken the grains of rice on ground.
Tagalog builds thousands of words from a few hundred roots.
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