Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Apr 5, 2021 09:25
3 yrs ago
6 viewers *
English term
Poor John!
English to Tagalog
Art/Literary
Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Idioms
Hi
How can I translate "poor" in "Poor John" etc. It has nothing to do with not having enough money/wealth, but rather means he is to be pitied.
https://monologues.co.uk/musichall/Songs-P/Poor-John.htm
Best
Simon
How can I translate "poor" in "Poor John" etc. It has nothing to do with not having enough money/wealth, but rather means he is to be pitied.
https://monologues.co.uk/musichall/Songs-P/Poor-John.htm
Best
Simon
Proposed translations
(Tagalog)
| 5 | kawawang John! |
Sittie Hane Mama
|
| 5 +1 | kawawa |
edna escalante
|
Proposed translations
5 days
Sittie Hane Mama
Philippines
Philippines
Native in English
&
Tagalog
Philippines
ᴄᴏɴɴᴇᴄᴛɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛᴏ ꜰɪʟɪᴘɪɴᴏꜱ
Native in: Tagalog (Variant: Philippines) 
, English (Variant: US) 
, Maranao
Works in: English to Tagalog, Maranao to Tagalog, Tagalog to English, and 6 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
12
Selected
kawawang John!
When you use "poor" as an idiom in Tagalog, you say it as "kawawa". But because the source comes with a name, it should be "kawawang john/John!"
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Many thanks, perfect!"
+1
4 hrs
edna escalante
Portugal
Portugal
Native in Tagalog
Portugal
25+ yrs. in devt. mgmt., MBA/PA
Native in: Tagalog
Works in: English to Tagalog, Tagalog to English
Related KudoZ points
:
4
kawawa
Declined
It's the local equivalent idiom for that English expression, "Poor John!"
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Note added at 4 days (2021-04-09 18:09:35 GMT)
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Hello SeiTT,
'kawawa' usually comes before the name. If you're using it in a scenario where you are talking directly with John, you can say, "Kawawa ka naman, John!."
If you are referring to him indirectly (third person), You can say, "Kawawa naman si John!" "si" is a determiner/definite article for the particular noun (John), and "naman" in this case functions as a form of interjection to stress an expression of an intense feeling.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 days (2021-04-09 18:09:35 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
Hello SeiTT,
'kawawa' usually comes before the name. If you're using it in a scenario where you are talking directly with John, you can say, "Kawawa ka naman, John!."
If you are referring to him indirectly (third person), You can say, "Kawawa naman si John!" "si" is a determiner/definite article for the particular noun (John), and "naman" in this case functions as a form of interjection to stress an expression of an intense feeling.
Example sentence:
Oh, naiwan siyang nag-iisa, kawawa naman (Oh, he was left alone, poor boy!)
Note from asker:
| many thanks - but what if i want to combine the name John with 'kawawa' Kawawa John - or is it John kawawa? Does kawawa come before or after the name? Perhaps i must insert "na"? |
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