anna: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very Low Frequency)Archaic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “anna” mean?
A former monetary unit of India and Pakistan, equal to one sixteenth of a rupee.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A former monetary unit of India and Pakistan, equal to one sixteenth of a rupee.
Historically used in the Indian subcontinent for small-value transactions; now obsolete as currency but persists in colloquial expressions and historical context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally unfamiliar in modern everyday usage in both BrE and AmE. Any recognition would stem from historical knowledge of the British Raj or South Asian studies, not from current usage differences.
Connotations
Connotes colonial history, the British Raj in India, and economic systems of the past. In British English, it might evoke colonial nostalgia or historical analysis; in American English, it is an obscure foreign historical term.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties. Slightly higher probability of encounter in British texts due to colonial history, but still negligible in contemporary language.
Grammar
How to Use “anna” in a Sentence
NUM + anna(s) (e.g., four annas)be worth + NUM + anna(s)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anna” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- My grandfather showed me an old four-anna coin from his time in India.
- In his account of the Raj, he priced goods in annas and rupees.
American English
- The museum exhibit featured coins like the anna alongside the rupee.
- In historical novels set in India, prices are often listed in annas.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Obsolete; only in historical financial contexts.
Academic
Used in history, economics, or South Asian studies papers discussing pre-decimal currency.
Everyday
Virtually never used. An older person in India/Pakistan might use it idiomatically.
Technical
No modern technical usage.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “anna”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anna”
- Using it as a current unit of currency.
- Confusing it with the female given name Anna in sentences where context is unclear.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the anna has been obsolete since the mid-20th century when India and Pakistan decimalised their currencies.
Primarily, it is the historical currency unit. It is also a common female first name (Anna), which is a separate, unrelated word.
After decimalisation, one anna was equivalent to 6.25 paise (since 16 annas = 100 paise = 1 rupee).
For C2-level learners interested in historical texts, literature about the British Raj, or understanding South Asian idiomatic expressions. It is not necessary for general communication.
A former monetary unit of India and Pakistan, equal to one sixteenth of a rupee.
Anna is usually archaic, historical in register.
Anna: in British English it is pronounced /ˈænə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈænə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Not worth an anna (worthless)”
- “Every anna counts (emphasizing the value of small amounts)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Anna' as a person's name. Imagine a historical figure named Anna who was once worth 1/16th of something bigger (a rupee).
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A MEASURE OF WORTH (but a very small one).
Practice
Quiz
The 'anna' was a subdivision of which currency?