uray
The Ilocano word for 'wait' is uray.
Meaning: delay until some event (verb)
How does it change in a sentence?
The suffix -en is used to turn the root uray into a transitive verb meaning 'to wait for' a specific object or person.
Did you know?
- In colloquial Ilocano, the word 'uray' can also function as a conjunction meaning 'even if' or 'even though', a completely different grammatical role from the verb 'to wait'.
- In Ilocano, the concept of waiting is often linked to the word anus, which means 'patience' or 'endurance', suggesting that waiting is viewed as an act of fortitude.
- In many parts of the Philippines, the word 'wait' is expressed using Spanish-derived terms like espera, but in Ilocano, using the native uray marks a clear distinction in regional identity.
Examples in context
- Urayenta kadi ni Tom ditoy?Should we wait for Tom here?This sentence shows how to use uray when asking if one should wait for someone.Tatoeba #4690591 by saluyot, translation #3737892 by CK
- Urayenka ditoy.I'll wait for you here.This sentence shows how to use uray to express waiting for a person.Tatoeba #4629686 by saluyot, translation #2546644 by CK
- Urayen mo pay ti dumateng a ladawan.Wait for the picture to arrive.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Antonio and Maria are waiting for a bus.
- AntonioUrayta pay ti bus.Let's wait for the bus.
- MariaAwan payto ti bus.The bus isn't here yet.
- AntonioUraytayo laeng ditoy.Let's just wait here.
- MariaSige, urayta pay.Okay, let's wait.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
