kuwaki

Tagalog

Alternative forms

• kwaki, pwaki — superseded, pre-2007
• puaki
• puwaki

Etymology

Possibly borrowed from Hokkien 孤奇 (ko͘ ki, literally “lone odd; solitary single of a pair”), according to Manuel (1948). Compare Cebuano puwaki (“odd”). See also Hokkien 寡奇 (kóaⁿ ki / kóa ki, literally “some odd; some single of a pair”), 半奇 (pòaⁿ ki, literally “half odd; half of a pair”).

Pronunciation

• (Standard Tagalog) IPA^(key): /kuˈakiʔ/ [ˈkwaː.xɪʔ], /kuaˈkiʔ/ [kwɐˈxiʔ]
• Rhymes: -akiʔ, -iʔ
• Syllabification: ku‧wa‧ki

Noun

kuwakì or kuwakî (Baybayin spelling ᜃᜓᜏᜃᜒ)

1. (mathematics) odd number

   Synonym: gansal

2. indivisible number

Further reading

• “kwaki”, in Pambansang Diksiyonaryo | Diksiyonaryo.ph, Manila, 2018
• Manuel, E. Arsenio (1948) Chinese elements in the Tagalog language: with some indication of Chinese influence on other Philippine languages and cultures and an excursion into Austronesian linguistics, Manila: Filipiniana Publications, page 33
• Manuel, E. Arsenio (1971) A Lexicographic Study of Tayabas Tagalog of Quezon Province, Quezon City: Diliman Review, page 301