astana: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal/Geographical
Quick answer
What does “astana” mean?
The capital city of Kazakhstan.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The capital city of Kazakhstan.
The administrative, political, and cultural centre of Kazakhstan, known for its modern architecture and planned city design. Previously named Nur-Sultan (2019-2022) and Akmola.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Spelling is consistent. Pronunciation may vary slightly due to accent.
Connotations
Neutral geographical reference. May connote Central Asian politics, energy resources, or the Host City of EXPO 2017.
Frequency
Low frequency in general English, but appears regularly in international news, geography texts, and political reporting.
Grammar
How to Use “astana” in a Sentence
[Verb] + to/from/in Astana (e.g., travel to, move from, live in)Astana + [Verb] (e.g., Astana hosted, Astana became)[Adjective] + Astana (e.g., modern Astana, capital Astana)Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the central economic hub of Kazakhstan, location of major corporations and financial institutions. (e.g., 'Our new regional office will be based in Astana.')
Academic
Used in geography, political science, and Central Asian studies. (e.g., 'The relocation of the capital to Astana in 1997 was a pivotal moment.')
Everyday
Typically used when discussing travel, world news, or geography. (e.g., 'I saw a documentary about the unusual buildings in Astana.')
Technical
In sports, refers to a former professional cycling team. In diplomacy, 'Astana process' refers to Syrian peace talks held there.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “astana”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “astana”
- Misspelling as 'Astana' (incorrect).
- Using the former name 'Nur-Sultan' after 2022 without historical context.
- Using a definite article incorrectly ('the Astana' is wrong).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but 'Nur-Sultan' was the city's name from 2019 to 2022. It officially reverted to 'Astana' in September 2022.
Astana is famous for its striking, modern architecture built since becoming the capital, its extremely cold winters, and for hosting major international events like EXPO 2017.
No. As a proper noun (the name of a city), you do not use the definite article. You say 'in Astana', not 'in the Astana'.
Before being named Astana in 1998, the city was called Akmola (also spelt Aqmola). It was also known as Tselinograd during the Soviet era.
The capital city of Kazakhstan.
Astana is usually formal/geographical in register.
Astana: in British English it is pronounced /əˈstɑːnə/, and in American English it is pronounced /əˈstɑːnə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A STANdard capital for KazakhSTAN.' It's the 'A' capital city for that 'stan' country.
Conceptual Metaphor
A CITY IS A SYMBOL: Astana is often metaphorically described as a 'symbol' of Kazakhstan's post-independence ambition and futuristic vision.
Practice
Quiz
What is the current status of the name 'Nur-Sultan' for the Kazakh capital?