metical: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical (Finance/Economics), Geographic
Quick answer
What does “metical” mean?
The basic monetary unit of Mozambique.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The basic monetary unit of Mozambique.
As the national currency, it's a symbol of Mozambican economic sovereignty and a unit of value in all domestic financial transactions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term exclusively in reference to Mozambique.
Connotations
Neutral; a technical term for a foreign currency.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, encountered only in international finance, travel, or news contexts related to Mozambique.
Grammar
How to Use “metical” in a Sentence
The [noun] costs [number] meticais.Exchange your [currency] for meticais.The metical is pegged against the [currency].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in foreign exchange trading and international financial reports: 'The metical appreciated against the dollar.'
Academic
Appears in economic studies, geopolitical analyses, or papers on African development.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation outside of Mozambique or among travellers/finance professionals.
Technical
Standard term in banking, forex, and economic datasets, identified by the ISO code MZN.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metical”
- Incorrect plural: 'meticals' is sometimes used, but 'meticais' is the correct Portuguese-derived plural.
- Mispronunciation: stressing the first syllable /ˈmɛtɪkəl/ instead of /ˌmɛtɪˈkɑːl/.
- Using it generically for money instead of specifically for Mozambique's currency.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it refers exclusively to the currency of Mozambique.
The ISO 4217 code is MZN.
In British English, it's /ˌmɛtɪˈkɑːl/ (met-i-KAHL). In American English, it's often /ˈmɛtɪˌkɑl/ (MET-i-kahl).
No, it is not a generic term. It is a proper noun for a specific national currency.
The basic monetary unit of Mozambique.
Metical is usually formal, technical (finance/economics), geographic in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'MET' (like metal coins) + 'ICAL' (as in 'typical money') – the typical metal/coin money of Mozambique.
Conceptual Metaphor
CURRENCY IS A MEASURING TOOL (for value).
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct plural form of 'metical'?