caracas: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Geographical, Political, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “caracas” mean?
The capital city of Venezuela, located in the north of the country.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The capital city of Venezuela, located in the north of the country.
A term used to refer to the Venezuelan government or its administrative center. In a broader sense, it can represent the political, economic, and social situation of Venezuela.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Pronunciation differs (see IPA).
Connotations
Similar connotations in both dialects, primarily associated with Venezuelan politics, oil, economic crises, and geographical location.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, appearing primarily in news, geography, and political discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “caracas” in a Sentence
[subject] is based in Caracas.The situation in [Caracas] is tense.Flights to [Caracas] have been suspended.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “caracas” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The delegation was Caracas-bound.
- The policy was effectively Caracased after the summit.
American English
- The company is looking to Caracas its South American strategy.
- He Caracased the proposal, meaning he sent it for lengthy bureaucratic review.
adjective
British English
- The Caracas weather is quite consistent.
- She has a Caracas-based perspective on the crisis.
American English
- The Caracas political scene is complex.
- They discussed Caracas traffic patterns.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the main economic and administrative hub of Venezuela, e.g., 'Our Caracas office handles regional operations.'
Academic
Used in political science, geography, and Latin American studies, e.g., 'The political dynamics of Caracas were analyzed.'
Everyday
Primarily in travel or news discussions, e.g., 'My cousin used to live in Caracas.'
Technical
In aviation (as an airport code CCS) and geopolitical risk analysis.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “caracas”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “caracas”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “caracas”
- Incorrect: 'the Caracas' (in most contexts). Correct: 'Caracas' or 'the city of Caracas'.
- Incorrect: 'Caracas' as a common noun. It is always a proper noun.
- Pronunciation: Mispronouncing the first 'c' as /k/ instead of /kə/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'Caracas' is exclusively a proper noun, the name of the capital city of Venezuela.
The main difference is in the vowel of the second syllable. British English uses /æ/ (as in 'cat'), while American English uses /ɑː/ (as in 'father'): /kəˈrækəs/ vs /kəˈrɑːkəs/.
Typically, no. We say 'in Caracas', not 'in the Caracas'. The definite article is only used in longer descriptive phrases like 'the city of Caracas' or 'the Caracas metropolitan area'.
As the capital and largest city of Venezuela, Caracas is the center of the country's politics and economy. News frequently focuses on events there due to Venezuela's significant oil reserves, political turmoil, and socioeconomic challenges.
The capital city of Venezuela, located in the north of the country.
Caracas is usually formal, geographical, political, journalistic in register.
Caracas: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈrækəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈrɑːkəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As chaotic as Caracas traffic.”
- “A Caracas welcome (implying complexity or bureaucracy).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A car rocked us on the way to Caracas.' (kə-ROCK-us) for the American pronunciation.
Conceptual Metaphor
Caracas is a container (for political power, economic activity, social unrest). Caracas is a heart (the central, vital organ of the nation, sometimes under pressure).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common modern connotation associated with 'Caracas' in international news?