brunei: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal / Neutral
Quick answer
What does “brunei” mean?
A sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia.
Refers to the country, its government, culture, and its people (as in 'Bruneian').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Neutral geographic/political reference in both variants.
Frequency
Low frequency in general discourse, with similar occurrence in UK and US English, primarily in geographical, political, or economic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “brunei” in a Sentence
Brunei [verb] (e.g., Brunei exports, Brunei lies, Brunei is)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “brunei” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Bruneian traditions are deeply influenced by Malay culture.
- The Brunei dollar is pegged to the Singapore dollar.
American English
- Bruneian oil reserves are a key source of revenue.
- The Brunei embassy issued a travel advisory.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in contexts discussing LNG (liquefied natural gas) exports, sovereign wealth funds, or economic development in Southeast Asia.
Academic
Appears in political science (studies of monarchies), geography (Southeast Asia), and economics (resource-based economies).
Everyday
Typically mentioned in travel discussions, world news, or trivia about wealthy nations.
Technical
Used in geopolitical analysis, energy market reports, and international law (maritime claims in the South China Sea).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “brunei”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “brunei”
- Incorrect: 'Brunei is a city in Malaysia.' Correct: 'Brunei is a country bordering Malaysia.'
- Incorrect: 'a Brunei citizen.' Correct: 'a Bruneian citizen.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Brunei is an independent sovereign state. It is completely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak on the island of Borneo.
The official language is Malay. English is widely used in business and education.
Brunei is an absolute monarchy. The head of state and government is the Sultan, currently Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
'Darussalam' is an Arabic phrase meaning 'Abode of Peace'.
A sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia.
Brunei is usually formal / neutral in register.
Brunei: in British English it is pronounced /bruːˈnaɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /bruːˈnaɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Brunei sounds like 'blue nigh' – think of a 'blue night' in the wealthy, peaceful Sultanate.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATION AS A PERSON (e.g., 'Brunei maintains close ties with...').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary basis of Brunei's economy?