kabayong may sungay
The Filipino word for unicorn is kabayong may sungay.
kabayong may sungay refers to the mythical horselike creature. In many casual conversations, speakers may also use the English loanword unicorn.
Meaning: mythical horselike creature (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a descriptive construction where kabayo means horse, may means with and sungay means horn.
Did you know?
- The word kabayo for horse is actually a loanword from the Spanish 'caballo', showing how much modern Filipino is influenced by colonial history.
- The word sungay is an inherited term found across many Philippine languages, including Cebuano, Hiligaynon and Waray-Waray.
- The word may used in this phrase functions as an existential marker, effectively saying a horse 'possesses' a horn rather than just 'having' one.
Examples in context
- Ang unicorn ay maganda.The unicorn is beautiful.
- Ang mga unicorns ay magaganda.The unicorns are beautiful.
- Ang unicorn na iyon ay totoo ba?Is that unicorn real?
- Mayroon bang kabayong may sungay sa kuwento?Is there a unicorn in the story?
- Nakakita ako ng laruan na kabayong may sungay.I saw a toy unicorn.
Example conversation
Juan and Angela are looking at a children's book in a library.
- JuanAngela, tingnan mo ang kabayong may sungay.Angela, look at the unicorn.
- AngelaAng ganda naman ng kabayong iyon!That unicorn is so beautiful!
- JuanTotoo ba ang kabayong may sungay na ito?Is this unicorn real?
- AngelaHindi, isa lang itong kuwento.No, it is just a story.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries may, sungay, CC BY-SA 4.0.
