baka
The Ilocano word for cow is baka.
baka is used to refer to an adult female of the species Bos taurus.
Meaning: adult female of species Bos taurus (noun)
Did you know?
- If you use the word baka in the Philippines, you might be confused by the Tagalog-speaking neighbors. In Tagalog, baka is a common word for 'maybe' or 'perhaps', which can lead to humorous misunderstandings in conversation.
- The word baka in Ilocano is part of a linguistic lineage that stretches back to Proto-Philippine, making it thousands of years older than the Spanish word it resembles.
- The term baka serves as a linguistic bridge between the colonial Spanish influence and the indigenous Proto-Philippine roots.
Examples in context
- Adda dakkel a baka iti taltalon.There is a big cow in the field.
- Mangan ti baka iti ruot.The cow is eating grass.
- Nagayum ti baka a sadiay.The cow over there is beautiful.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are looking at a farm from a fence.
- RowenaAdda kadi baka dita?Is there a cow there?
- JuanWen, adu ti baka dita.Yes, there are many cows there.
- RowenaNapintas met ti baka dita.The cow there is also beautiful.
- JuanWen, naruay ti baka dita.Yes, cows are abundant there.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries baka, CC BY-SA 4.0.
