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ungal

ungál with stress marks

howl or cry of an animal

noun verb un-GAL Native origin Rare

Usage Note

Ungal describes the loud, mournful howl or cry of an animal — most commonly a dog or wolf. As a verb it means to howl or cry out. Colloquially it is also applied to a person wailing dramatically or making excessive noise when crying. In rural settings, a dog's ungal at night is considered an omen of death in traditional Filipino superstition.

Examples

Beginner

" Umungal ang aso kagabi. "

Natural Translation

The dog howled last night.

Literal Translation

Howled the dog last-night.

Intermediate

" Malakas ang ungal ng aso sa gabi. "

Natural Translation

The howl of the dog is loud at night.

Literal Translation

Loud the howl of dog in night.

Advanced

" Naniniwala ang lola ko na kapag umungal ang aso sa hatinggabi, may darating na masamang balita sa pamilya. "

Natural Translation

My grandmother believes that when a dog howls at midnight, bad news will come to the family.

Literal Translation

Believes the grandmother my that when howls the dog at midnight, there-is coming bad news to-the family.

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