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uling

ulíng with stress marks

charcoal

noun u-LING Native origin Less Common

Usage Note

Uling is the everyday word for charcoal, widely used as fuel for cooking in Filipino homes, especially in rural areas or for grilling. Charcoal grilling (ihaw) over uling is deeply embedded in Filipino food culture — from street barbecue to festive lechon. The word also appears in descriptions of dark soot or carbon marks.

Examples

Beginner

" Ubos na ang uling natin. "

Natural Translation

Our charcoal is all used up.

Literal Translation

Used-up already the charcoal our.

Intermediate

" Gumagamit kami ng uling para sa pag-ihaw ng baboy. "

Natural Translation

We use charcoal for grilling pork.

Literal Translation

Use we of charcoal for the grilling of pork.

Advanced

" Bumili muna tayo ng uling sa palengke bago tayo mag-ihaw ng manok mamayang hapon. "

Natural Translation

Let's buy charcoal at the market first before we grill chicken this afternoon.

Literal Translation

Buy first we of charcoal at market before we grill of chicken later afternoon.

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