Technically, bamboo is more of a grass rather than a tree. In the Tagalog language though, it is as common to hear the phrase “bamboo tree” to refer to the plant.
bamboo
bamboo tree
ang punong kawáyan
the bamboo tree
kawayang bangko
bamboo bench
Ang kawayan kung tumubo, langit na matayog ang itinuturo; ngunit kung masunod na ang anyo, sa lupa rin ang yuko. The bamboo when just beginning to grow, points straight up to heaven; but in maturity after it has gained its form, it bows down to earth.
Many creation myths from various regions of the Philippines relate the story of how the first man and woman emerged from a bamboo tree.
Unrelated to the above, and accented differently…
Wave to them.
root word: kawáy (to wave)
KAHULUGAN SA TAGALOG
kawáyan: alinman sa mga tíla punongkahoy na damong tropiko (Bambusa blumeana), matibay, karaniwang may hungkag na uhay, patulis na dahon, at namumulaklak lámang pagkaraan ng ilang taóng pagtubò
