minangkabau: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialized, Academic, Cultural
Quick answer
What does “minangkabau” mean?
An ethnic group native to the West Sumatra region of Indonesia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An ethnic group native to the West Sumatra region of Indonesia.
Refers to the people, their unique matrilineal culture, their Austronesian language, and items/artifacts originating from them.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in denotation. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Both varieties carry the same anthropological/cultural connotations. More likely to be encountered in academic or travelogue contexts.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, limited to specific contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “minangkabau” in a Sentence
[the] Minangkabau[adjective] MinangkabauVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “minangkabau” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The exhibition featured stunning Minangkabau silverwork.
American English
- She is researching Minangkabau architectural traditions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in context of Indonesian tourism or export of crafts (e.g., 'Minangkabau textile exports').
Academic
Common in anthropology, linguistics, and Southeast Asian studies (e.g., 'Minangkabau matrilineal kinship structures').
Everyday
Very rare. Might appear in travel writing or documentaries.
Technical
Used in ethnography, cultural studies, and linguistics as a specific ethnonym.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “minangkabau”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “minangkabau”
- Incorrectly using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a Minangkabau' instead of 'a Minangkabau person').
- Misspelling (e.g., Minangabau, Minangkabu).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It refers primarily to the ethnic group. Their language is also called Minangkabau (or Minang), which is closely related to Indonesian and Malay.
It is world-renowned for its matrilineal and matrilocal societal structure, where property and family names are passed down through the female line.
Roughly as mi-NANG-ka-bau. The stress is on the second syllable ('NANG').
Yes, it is commonly used attributively (e.g., Minangkabau cuisine, Minangkabau traditions) to describe things originating from that culture.
An ethnic group native to the West Sumatra region of Indonesia.
Minangkabau is usually specialized, academic, cultural in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Men ANGer the COW' but as 'Mi-NANG-ka-BAU' – the 'NANG' reminds you of the 'nagari' (their village units).
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A as a proper noun.
Practice
Quiz
In which country is the Minangkabau homeland primarily located?