uban
ubán with stress marks
white hair; gray hair
Usage Note
Uban refers specifically to white or gray hair that appears with aging, stress, or genetics. In Filipino culture, uban is often associated with wisdom and old age, and pulling out uban hairs is considered a folk remedy that paradoxically leads to more growing back. Younger people who develop uban early are sometimes said to have worried too much.
Examples
" May uban na ang tatay ko. "
Natural Translation
My dad already has gray hair.
Literal Translation
Has gray-hair already the father my.
" Marami na siyang uban kahit bata pa siya. "
Natural Translation
He/She already has a lot of gray hair even though he/she's still young.
Literal Translation
Many already his/her gray-hair even-though young still he/she.
" Maaga siyang nagkaroon ng uban dahil sa labis na pag-aalala sa trabaho at sa kalusugan ng kanyang pamilya. "
Natural Translation
He developed gray hair early because of excessive worrying about work and his family's health.
Literal Translation
Early he had of gray-hair because of excessive worry at work and at health of his family.
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