bhutan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2-C1Formal, Geographical, Political, Cultural
Quick answer
What does “bhutan” mean?
A landlocked Himalayan country in South Asia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A landlocked Himalayan country in South Asia.
The Kingdom of Bhutan, a constitutional monarchy known for its Buddhist culture, mountainous terrain, and the official philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Pronunciation differences exist (see IPA).
Connotations
Associated with unique cultural and environmental policies in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparably low frequency in both varieties, appearing in similar contexts (news, geography, travel).
Grammar
How to Use “bhutan” in a Sentence
[PREP] in ~[PREP] to ~the ~ government~'s policy onVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bhutan” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Bhutanese embassy issued a statement.
- We studied Bhutanese architecture.
American English
- The Bhutanese ambassador attended the meeting.
- It's a classic Bhutanese design.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Mentioned in reports on sustainable development or niche tourism markets.
Academic
Appears in geography, political science, and cultural studies focusing on South Asia or GNH.
Everyday
Used in travel discussions or general knowledge contexts.
Technical
Used in cartography, international relations, and environmental policy discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bhutan”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bhutan”
- Misspelling as 'Bhután' or 'Buthan'.
- Using 'Bhutanian' instead of the correct demonym 'Bhutanese'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Bhutan is an independent, sovereign country. It has close diplomatic and economic ties with India but is not part of it.
Bhutan is famous for its Himalayan landscapes, Buddhist monasteries (like Tiger's Nest), and its unique development philosophy of Gross National Happiness (GNH).
In both British and American English, it is commonly pronounced buu-TAHN, with the stress on the second syllable. The 'Bh' is pronounced as a simple 'b'.
Tourism is permitted but regulated. Most visitors must book through licensed tour operators and pay a daily fee, which is part of the country's 'high-value, low-impact' tourism policy.
A landlocked Himalayan country in South Asia.
Bhutan is usually formal, geographical, political, cultural in register.
Bhutan: in British English it is pronounced /buːˈtɑːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /buˈtɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'Boot-an' (as in a boot) in the high mountains.
Conceptual Metaphor
Often conceptualised as a 'SHANGRI-LA' or 'LAST SHANGRI-LA' (an isolated, peaceful, and beautiful paradise).
Practice
Quiz
What is the demonym for a person from Bhutan?