Filipino · Nature & Environment
dagat
Sea
Beginnernoun
Definition
The large body of salt water around the 7,000+ Philippine islands.
Example
Lumalangoy kami sa dagat tuwing tag-init.
We swim in the sea every summer.
Etymology
'Dagat' has its origins in the Proto-Austronesian language '*daga', referring to the sea. It underscores the cultural connection of Filipinos to the maritime environment.
How & Where It’s Used
'Dagat' is used in both informal and formal contexts to discuss water bodies, fisheries, and coastal lifestyles, and is integral to discussions of ecology.
Literary Heritage
Commonly featured in folklore and poetry, symbolizing life, sustenance, and the vastness of nature.