TAGALOG-ENGLISH DICTIONARY

KATHAMBUHAY

root words: katha (literary composition) and buhay (life)

kathang buhay
literary work about life

kathambuhay
novel

Kathambuhay is a native Tagalog word. Filipinos now more commonly use the Spanish-derived word nobela when referring to a novel.

Sinasabi na ang unang kathambuhay na isinulat sa Pilipinas ay ang Ninay ni Pedro Paterno. It is said that the first novel written in the Philippines is Ninay by Pedro Paterno.

‘Ang Banaag at Sikat‘ ay kathambuhay ni Lope K. Santos.
‘From Early Dawn to Full Light’ is a novel by Lope K. Santos.

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