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tutuli

tutulî with stress marks

earwax

noun tu-tu-LI Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Tutuli is the standard Tagalog term for earwax (cerumen). It is used in everyday health conversations and is neither clinical nor vulgar. Parents commonly use the word when cleaning children's ears, and it appears in hygiene instruction materials.

Examples

Beginner

" Marami akong tutuli. "

Natural Translation

I have a lot of earwax.

Literal Translation

Many I earwax.

Intermediate

" Kailangan mong linisin ang iyong tutuli. "

Natural Translation

You need to clean your earwax.

Literal Translation

Need you to clean the your earwax.

Advanced

" Sinabi ng doktor na hindi dapat tanggalin ang tutuli gamit ang cotton bud dahil maaaring masaktan ang tainga. "

Natural Translation

The doctor said you shouldn't dig out earwax with a cotton bud because it can hurt the ear.

Literal Translation

Said of-the doctor that not should be-removed the earwax using the cotton bud because can be-hurt the ear.

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