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tungga

tunggâ with stress marks

a swig; to gulp down

verb tung-GA Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Tungga means to take a big gulp or swig of a drink, particularly alcohol. It is strongly associated with Filipino drinking culture and often signals an invitation to drink deeply, as in tumungga ka — chug it. The word has a festive, communal connotation in social gatherings.

Examples

Beginner

" Tinungga niya ang gatas. "

Natural Translation

He/She gulped down the milk.

Literal Translation

Gulped he/she the milk.

Intermediate

" Inubos niya ang tubig sa isang tungga. "

Natural Translation

He/She finished the water in one gulp.

Literal Translation

Finished he/she the water in one gulp.

Advanced

" Sa init ng tanghali, tinungga niya ang buong basong tubig bago pa man maupo at magpahinga. "

Natural Translation

In the noon heat, he/she gulped down the whole glass of water before even sitting down to rest.

Literal Translation

In heat of noon, gulped he/she the whole glass water before even sit and rest.

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