minah: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
rarespecialized/zoological; informal when used figuratively
Quick answer
What does “minah” mean?
a type of tropical bird belonging to the starling family, known for its ability to mimic sounds and speech.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a type of tropical bird belonging to the starling family, known for its ability to mimic sounds and speech
used informally to refer to a talkative or imitative person
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'myna' is the more common spelling variant; 'minah' is an older alternative spelling. In American English, 'myna' is standard; 'minah' is rarely used.
Connotations
Figurative use is more likely in British English than American English. In both varieties, the literal meaning is zoological/specialized.
Frequency
The word is very low frequency in both varieties. The spelling 'myna' is significantly more common in published texts.
Grammar
How to Use “minah” in a Sentence
[be] a + minahkeep a + minahsound like a + minahVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in ornithology and zoology texts.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used humorously to describe a very talkative or imitative person.
Technical
Used as a common name for specific bird species in zoological contexts.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “minah”
- Misspelling as 'mina' (which is a different word).
- Using 'minah' to refer to any parrot or talking bird, whereas it refers specifically to starlings of certain genera.
- Incorrect pluralisation as 'minahs' (standard is 'minahs' or 'minah').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, minahs are starlings, not parrots. They belong to a different biological family but share the ability to mimic sounds.
'Myna' is the standard modern spelling. 'Minah' is an older, now less common variant of the same word.
Yes, but it is informal and figurative, meaning a very talkative or imitative person (e.g., 'He chatters away like a minah').
They are native to tropical southern Asia, from India and Sri Lanka east to Indonesia.
a type of tropical bird belonging to the starling family, known for its ability to mimic sounds and speech.
Minah is usually specialized/zoological; informal when used figuratively in register.
Minah: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪnə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmaɪnə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “chatter like a minah”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MINAH: Mimics It Nicely, A Heckler (a bird that mimics nicely and can be a noisy heckler).
Conceptual Metaphor
A TALKATIVE/IMITATIVE PERSON IS A MINAH.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most salient characteristic of a minah bird?