guarani: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, academic, financial
Quick answer
What does “guarani” mean?
The primary currency of Paraguay.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The primary currency of Paraguay.
The name of an indigenous people of central South America and their Tupian language.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term for the currency and the people/language.
Connotations
Neutral; primarily a referential term without strong cultural connotations in general English.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to greater focus on Latin American affairs, but remains a low-frequency term in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “guarani” in a Sentence
[amount] + guaranithe + guarani + [verb]in + guaraniVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “guarani” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- Guarani traditions are preserved in some communities.
American English
- The Guarani community has a rich oral history.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in international finance and forex markets when discussing the Paraguayan economy. (e.g., 'The guarani has remained stable.')
Academic
Appears in anthropological, linguistic, and economic studies related to South America.
Everyday
Rare in everyday conversation outside Paraguay or specialist circles.
Technical
Standard term in economics (currency) and ethnography (people/language).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “guarani”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “guarani”
- Mispronouncing the first syllable as /ɡɑː/ (like 'car') instead of /ɡwɑː/.
- Using plural 'guaranis' is accepted but less common than using 'guarani' as an invariant plural (e.g., 'one hundred guarani').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is all three, depending on context. The primary meaning in international English is the currency of Paraguay. Capitalized, it refers to the indigenous people of Paraguay and surrounding regions and their language.
The standard pronunciation in both British and American English stresses the last syllable: /ˌɡwɑːrəˈniː/ (UK) or /ˌɡwɑrəˈni/ (US). The initial 'gu' is pronounced like the 'gw' in 'Gwen'.
The word is often used as an invariant plural (e.g., 'fifty guarani'). The form 'guaranis' is also accepted but less common in financial contexts.
No, it is a low-frequency, specialized term. It is primarily used in financial, economic, or anthropological discussions related to Paraguay.
The primary currency of Paraguay.
Guarani is usually formal, academic, financial in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'GUARAntee you need GUARAni to buy things in Paraguay.'
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct IPA transcription for the British pronunciation of 'guarani'?