Usage Note
Uwak is the Tagalog word for crow or raven, birds well known in Philippine folklore as symbols of bad omen or death. Their cawing near a house is sometimes interpreted as a sign that someone will die, reflecting pre-colonial animist beliefs that persist in superstition.
Examples
" May uwak sa puno. "
Natural Translation
There's a crow in the tree.
Literal Translation
Has crow on tree.
" May itim na uwak sa itaas ng puno. "
Natural Translation
There is a black crow on top of the tree.
Literal Translation
There is black crow at top of tree.
" Natakot ang lola ko nang umiyak ang uwak sa bubong, dahil para sa kanya ito ay tanda ng masamang balita. "
Natural Translation
My grandmother got scared when the crow cried out on the roof, because to her it was a sign of bad news.
Literal Translation
Got-scared the grandmother my when cried the crow on roof, because for her this is sign of bad news.
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