kolar
Very lowSpecialist, Technical (Numismatics)
Definition
Meaning
A unit of currency in Papua New Guinea, equal to one hundredth of a kina.
The term specifically refers to a small-denomination coin in the monetary system of Papua New Guinea.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Extremely rare outside discussions of Papuan currency, international finance, or numismatics. It is a countable noun (e.g., 'five kolar').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No difference. The word is geographically tied to Papua New Guinea, not to the UK or US.
Connotations
Neutral, purely technical.
Frequency
Equally and extremely rare in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NUM + kolarkolar + coinVocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used only in the context of financial reports or transactions involving Papua New Guinea.
Academic
Used in economics, anthropology, or numismatics papers focusing on Pacific nations.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday English globally.
Technical
Standard term within numismatics for Papuan currency.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- A small sweet costs five kolar.
- The bus fare increased by ten kolar last year.
- Collectors seek the 1975 commemorative kolar coin for its historical value.
- The kina's devaluation made exports cheaper, but the psychological impact of prices rising by hundreds of kolar was significant.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"Kolar" rhymes with "dollar," but it's a much smaller unit in Papua New Guinea.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONEY IS A UNIT (as a subdivision of a larger whole).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'коларь' (a dialectal or archaic word for a charcoal burner or coal miner). They are false friends with completely different meanings.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'kolar' to refer to currency of other countries.
- Misspelling as 'koller' or 'colla'.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'kolar'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency word used almost exclusively in contexts related to Papua New Guinea's currency.
No. 'Kolar' refers specifically to 1/100th of a Papua New Guinean kina. It should not be used generically for subdivisions of other currencies.
The plural is 'kolar' (e.g., one kolar, fifty kolar). It is an invariant plural, similar to 'yen' or 'sheep'.
English dictionaries include loanwords and technical terms from around the world that users may encounter in international contexts, finance, or travel.