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ulam

úlam with stress marks

dish eaten with rice

noun verb U-lam Native origin Common
Illustration of "ulam" (dish eaten with rice)

Usage Note

Ulam refers to any dish eaten alongside rice, the essential staple of Filipino meals. It is common to ask 'Anong ulam mo?' (What's your dish?) as a friendly way to start a conversation, highlighting the word's importance in daily social life.

Examples

Beginner

" Masarap ang ulam natin. "

Natural Translation

Our dish is delicious.

Literal Translation

Delicious the dish our.

Intermediate

" Ano ang ulam natin ngayon? "

Natural Translation

What is our dish today?

Literal Translation

What the dish our today?

Advanced

" Nagluto si Nanay ng paborito kong ulam dahil uuwi ako mula sa malayong lungsod. "

Natural Translation

Mom cooked my favorite dish because I'm coming home from a faraway city.

Literal Translation

Cooked Mom of favorite my dish because will-go-home I from to faraway city.

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