tunganga
tungangâ with stress marks
agape; idle; staring blankly
Usage Note
Tunganga describes someone standing or sitting with mouth open and eyes blank, doing nothing — often implying foolishness, laziness, or being caught off guard. It is commonly used as a mild rebuke: huwag kang matunganga means don't just stand there gaping.
Examples
" Huwag kang matunganga diyan. "
Natural Translation
Don't just stand there gaping.
Literal Translation
Don't you gape there.
" Tunganga lang siya buong araw. "
Natural Translation
He/She is just idle the whole day.
Literal Translation
Idle just he/she whole day.
" Habang abala ang lahat sa paghahanda, siya lang ang nakatungangang nakaupo na parang walang ginagawa. "
Natural Translation
While everyone was busy preparing, he/she was the only one sitting there gaping as if doing nothing.
Literal Translation
While busy the all in preparing, he/she only the gaping sitting like nothing doing.
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