antananarivo: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Geographic
Quick answer
What does “antananarivo” mean?
The capital city of Madagascar.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The capital city of Madagascar.
The political, economic, and cultural center of Madagascar; also used metonymically to refer to the national government of Madagascar.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Pronunciation preferences differ slightly (see IPA). Spelling is identical.
Connotations
In both, it connotes the specific capital city. In diplomatic or academic contexts, it may be used to represent the Malagasy state.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, appearing primarily in geographic, travel, historical, or political contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “antananarivo” in a Sentence
Located in AntananarivoBased in AntananarivoReturned to AntananarivoAntananarivo is...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antananarivo” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Antananarivo urban development plan
American English
- An Antananarivo-based NGO
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Potential for investment in Antananarivo's growing technology sector.
Academic
A recent archaeological study in Antananarivo revealed new insights into early Malagasy settlement patterns.
Everyday
Our flight lands in Antananarivo in the morning.
Technical
The endemic flora of the Antananarivo region is under significant threat from urban expansion.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “antananarivo”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “antananarivo”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antananarivo”
- Misspelling (e.g., Antananarivo, Antananarivo).
- Incorrect stress placement (stress is on 'ri' syllable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it became the capital of the Merina Kingdom in the late 18th century and was made the capital of the French colony and later the independent nation.
It is Malagasy for "City of the Thousand," reportedly referring to the number of soldiers assigned to guard it by a historical king.
The most common English pronunciation is /ˌæntəˌnænəˈriːvoʊ/, with the primary stress on the 'ri' syllable.
Almost exclusively as a proper noun for the city. It can be used attributively (e.g., Antananarivo politics).
The capital city of Madagascar.
Antananarivo is usually formal, academic, geographic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: "Anna and a Nanny arrive in the capital" - Antananarivo.
Conceptual Metaphor
The heart of Madagascar (center of activity/life).
Practice
Quiz
What is a common informal name for Antananarivo?