berdache: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / Obsolete (Specialist-Historical)Historical, Anthropological, Potentially Offensive
Quick answer
What does “berdache” mean?
A person in certain Indigenous North American societies, typically male, who adopts the social and spiritual roles, dress, and occupations of the opposite sex.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person in certain Indigenous North American societies, typically male, who adopts the social and spiritual roles, dress, and occupations of the opposite sex.
A historical-anthropological term for individuals in various Native American cultures who occupied a distinct third-gender or gender-variant role, often holding spiritual significance. It is now considered outdated and potentially offensive, replaced by culturally specific terms like 'Two-Spirit' (in many pan-Indian contexts) or by the names of the specific roles in individual nations (e.g., 'nadleeh' in Navajo).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant regional difference in meaning. The term is used primarily in Anglophone anthropological literature globally. American English may have slightly more exposure due to the subject matter's geographic focus.
Connotations
Universally carries the connotations of being an outdated, colonial, anthropological label. It is not used in contemporary respectful discourse.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects. More likely to be encountered in academic historical or critical gender studies texts than in general use.
Grammar
How to Use “berdache” in a Sentence
The [anthropologist] described the [individual] as a berdache.The [cultural role] of the berdache was [significant/ complex].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “berdache” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The berdache role was often one of spiritual mediator.
- Early anthropological texts contain berdache descriptions.
American English
- Early accounts documented berdache individuals in Plains societies.
- The berdache status conferred specific ceremonial duties.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used cautiously in historical anthropology, gender studies, and Indigenous studies, usually within quotation marks or with a critical disclaimer about its problematic nature.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Would be unfamiliar to most speakers.
Technical
A technical term in historical anthropology, now largely superseded by more precise and respectful terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “berdache”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “berdache”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “berdache”
- Using it to describe contemporary people.
- Using it without acknowledging its problematic, colonial origins.
- Assuming it applies universally to all Indigenous cultures.
- Pronouncing it as 'ber-datch' or 'ber-dash-ee'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is generally considered outdated, anthropologically loaded, and potentially offensive. It is best replaced with specific Indigenous terms (e.g., Two-Spirit, winkte, nadleeh) where appropriate, or with descriptive, respectful language.
'Berdache' is a non-Native anthropological term. 'Two-Spirit' is a modern, pan-Indigenous English term created by Native communities in 1990 to describe diverse gender and spiritual roles within their cultures, reclaiming the narrative from anthropological labels.
Historically, it referred to a complex social, spiritual, and occupational role that often involved crossing gendered norms. It is not directly equivalent to modern Western concepts of sexual orientation (gay, lesbian) or gender identity (transgender), though there may be overlaps.
Primarily in historical anthropology texts, in critical discussions of the history of anthropology and gender studies, or in analyses of colonial discourse. It is typically presented with critical framing.
A person in certain Indigenous North American societies, typically male, who adopts the social and spiritual roles, dress, and occupations of the opposite sex.
Berdache is usually historical, anthropological, potentially offensive in register.
Berdache: in British English it is pronounced /bɜːˈdaʃ/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɚˈdæʃ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “There are no common idioms using this word.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BERlin DACHE. Imagine a historical figure in Berlin taking on a DA CHEf's role in a way that crossed gender lines, as an analogy for this historical, cross-cultural concept.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE ANTHROPOLOGICAL SPECIMEN (the term treats a complex cultural identity as a static, exoticized category for Western study).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary reason 'berdache' is avoided in contemporary discourse?