hutu: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “hutu” mean?
A member of a Bantu-speaking people forming the majority population in Rwanda and Burundi.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A member of a Bantu-speaking people forming the majority population in Rwanda and Burundi.
Refers to the ethnic group, their culture, or language. The term is often used in historical, political, and sociological contexts discussing the Great Lakes region of Africa, particularly in relation to the Rwandan genocide of 1994 involving the Hutu and Tutsi peoples.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant linguistic differences. Usage is identical in both varieties, determined entirely by context.
Connotations
The word carries heavy historical and tragic connotations related to colonial legacy, ethnic division, and genocide. It is a sensitive term.
Frequency
Frequency is context-dependent (e.g., higher in history/political science contexts). No notable variation between UK and US English.
Grammar
How to Use “hutu” in a Sentence
The Hutua HutuHutu and Tutsiof the HutuVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “hutu” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Hutu-led government was overthrown.
- Hutu refugees fled across the border.
American English
- Hutu militias organized the attacks.
- She documented Hutu oral traditions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in history, political science, African studies, genocide studies, and sociology.
Everyday
Rare, except when discussing relevant current events or history.
Technical
Used as a precise demographic/ethnic identifier in anthropology and political reporting.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hutu”
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “hutu”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hutu”
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'Hutu beliefs' is fine, but 'a very Hutu perspective' is odd).
- Mispronouncing it as /ˈhʌtuː/ or /ˈhjuːtjuː/.
- Using it without necessary historical/political context, which can seem reductive.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily a proper noun (a Hutu, the Hutu). It can function attributively as a noun modifier (e.g., Hutu community), which is similar to an adjective but is derived from the noun.
Historically, these were social classifications in the Rwandan kingdom, later racialized by European colonists. The distinctions are complex, involving historical roles, perceived physical traits, and socio-political status, not language or fundamentally different origins.
Use it with precise historical context. Avoid simplistic labels or using it to imply inherent group characteristics. Acknowledge the term's loaded history and the humanity of the people it denotes.
No. Both Hutu and Tutsi in Rwanda and Burundi speak Kinyarwanda and Kirundi, respectively. The ethnic distinction is not linguistic.
A member of a Bantu-speaking people forming the majority population in Rwanda and Burundi.
Hutu is usually formal, academic, journalistic in register.
Hutu: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhuːtuː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhuːtuː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Hutu: The 'Hu'man majority group in Rwanda historically, now a term reminding 'U' of profound human tragedy.
Conceptual Metaphor
Not applicable for this proper noun.
Practice
Quiz
In which country is 'Hutu' a major ethnic designation?