tuso
tusó with stress marks
cunning; shrewd; astute
Usage Note
Tuso describes a person who is clever in a crafty, self-interested way — more manipulative than simply intelligent. It can be used admiringly (he's sharp) or disapprovingly (he's sly). In Philippine folk tales, the trickster character is typically described as tuso, and the word carries a rich narrative tradition.
Examples
" Tuso ang lobo sa kuwento. "
Natural Translation
The wolf in the story is cunning.
Literal Translation
Cunning the wolf in story.
" Isang tuso na negosyante ang lalaki. "
Natural Translation
The man is a cunning businessman.
Literal Translation
A cunning that businessman the man.
" Napakatuso ng kalaban kaya bawat hakbang nila ay maingat na pinag-isipan upang hindi sila madale. "
Natural Translation
The opponent is so cunning that they carefully thought through every move so they wouldn't be outwitted.
Literal Translation
Very-cunning of opponent so each step their is careful-that thought-about so-that not they outwitted.
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