chulpa: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very RareSpecialist / Historical / Archaeological
Quick answer
What does “chulpa” mean?
A traditional funerary tower or stone burial structure built by the ancient Aymara and Inca peoples of the Andes, especially in Peru and Bolivia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A traditional funerary tower or stone burial structure built by the ancient Aymara and Inca peoples of the Andes, especially in Peru and Bolivia.
A pre-Columbian archaeological monument, typically circular or square stone masonry, used for housing the remains of elite individuals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is equally specialized in both varieties.
Connotations
Evokes Andean archaeology, pre-Columbian history, and specific cultural practices. No regional connotations within English.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, used almost exclusively in academic, historical, or travel/tourism contexts related to the Andes.
Grammar
How to Use “chulpa” in a Sentence
[archaeologists] excavated/studied the chulpaThe [site] contains several well-preserved chulpasThe [chulpa] was built from [stone]A [chulpa] stands on the [hillside]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chulpa” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The chulpa architecture is distinctive.
- We studied chulpa construction techniques.
American English
- The site contains chulpa-style tombs.
- This is a classic chulpa period.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in archaeology, anthropology, and history papers to describe specific Andean stone tombs.
Everyday
Virtually never used. Might appear in travel writing or documentaries about Peru.
Technical
A specific term in Andean archaeology for a type of above-ground burial structure.
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chulpa”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chulpa”
- Misspelling as 'chulpa' (with a single 'l') or 'cholpa'.
- Using it as a general term for any ancient ruin.
- Incorrect pronunciation: /'tʃʌlpə/ or /'kʊlpə/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a loanword from Aymara/Quechua used in English within the specific context of Andean archaeology and history. It is not part of general vocabulary.
The most famous sites are around Lake Titicaca in Peru (e.g., Sillustani) and in parts of Bolivia.
It is pronounced /ˈtʃʊlpə/, with the 'ch' as in 'church' and the stress on the first syllable.
No, it is exclusively a noun referring to the stone structure itself.
A traditional funerary tower or stone burial structure built by the ancient Aymara and Inca peoples of the Andes, especially in Peru and Bolivia.
Chulpa is usually specialist / historical / archaeological in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CHULpa' as a 'CHULky' stone PAssage to the afterlife, built like a tower.
Conceptual Metaphor
STONE TOWERS ARE ANCESTRAL HOMES.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'chulpa' primarily?