cape colored: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
MediumFormal, Academic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “cape colored” mean?
A member of a multiracial ethnic group originating from the Cape region of South Africa, with ancestry from African, European (especially Dutch), and Asian (especially Malay and Indonesian) peoples.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a multiracial ethnic group originating from the Cape region of South Africa, with ancestry from African, European (especially Dutch), and Asian (especially Malay and Indonesian) peoples.
A person belonging to a diverse South African community, historically classified under apartheid, known for a distinct culture, language (often Afrikaans), and heritage formed through centuries of intermixing at the Cape.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
British English follows the South African standard spelling 'Coloured'. American English typically uses the spelling 'Colored'. Both refer to the same South African ethnic group.
Connotations
The term is primarily a historical and demographic classifier. In non-South African contexts, the general term 'colored/coloured' is outdated and offensive when referring to people of mixed race. However, 'Cape Coloured' remains a specific, in-use identifier within South Africa.
Frequency
Rare in general British/American discourse outside specific historical, sociological, or South African contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cape colored” in a Sentence
[be] + Cape Coloured[identify as] + Cape Coloured[of] + Cape Coloured + [descent/origin]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cape colored” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She is from a Cape Coloured family in District Six.
- Cape Coloured Afrikaans has unique linguistic features.
American English
- He is a Cape Colored artist from Johannesburg.
- Cape Colored communities have a rich musical tradition.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used, except in South African market demographics or diversity reporting.
Academic
Common in sociology, history, anthropology, and African studies papers discussing South African identity and apartheid classification.
Everyday
Used in South Africa as an ethnic identifier; generally unknown or used with caution elsewhere.
Technical
Used in demographic surveys, census data, and historical documents related to South Africa.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cape colored”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cape colored”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cape colored”
- Using lowercase ('cape coloured').
- Omitting 'Cape' and just saying 'Coloured' in an international context, which can cause offense.
- Using it as a general term for any mixed-race person outside South Africa.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Within South Africa, it is a widely accepted and official ethnic category. However, outside South Africa, the standalone word 'coloured/colored' is considered outdated and offensive when referring to people. The full term 'Cape Coloured' should be used carefully and only in the correct context.
In South Africa, 'Coloured' is the broader official population group. 'Cape Coloured' more specifically refers to those from the Western Cape region with the classic mixed heritage of the area. In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably within the country.
Most speak Afrikaans as a first language, though many are bilingual or trilingual, also speaking English and/or isiXhosa. A distinctive local dialect, often called 'Kaaps', is prevalent.
Use 'Coloured' when writing in British or South African English contexts. Use 'Colored' when writing in American English. The meaning remains the same for this proper noun.
A member of a multiracial ethnic group originating from the Cape region of South Africa, with ancestry from African, European (especially Dutch), and Asian (especially Malay and Indonesian) peoples.
Cape colored is usually formal, academic, historical in register.
Cape colored: in British English it is pronounced /keɪp ˈkʌləd/, and in American English it is pronounced /keɪp ˈkʌlərd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the CAPE of Good Hope where a COLOURED (mixed) palette of cultures and peoples came together to form a distinct community.
Conceptual Metaphor
A HUMAN MOSAIC / A LIVING LEGACY OF THE CAPE.
Practice
Quiz
In which country is the term 'Cape Coloured' a specific ethnic identifier?