mongolian: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Neutral, Historical, Technical (in linguistics/history/geography). The dated medical/racial usage is offensive and obsolete.
Quick answer
What does “mongolian” mean?
Relating to Mongolia, its people, their language, or culture.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to Mongolia, its people, their language, or culture.
Can refer to the primary language of Mongolia, a person from Mongolia, or characteristics associated with Mongolia (e.g., Mongolian cuisine, Mongolian steppe). In historical contexts, refers to the Mongol Empire or the Golden Horde. In a dated and offensive anthropological/medical classification, it was used to describe a person with Down syndrome.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The dated/offensive usage was historically present in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral for modern geographical/cultural reference. Highly negative and offensive if used in the outdated anthropological/medical sense.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both, primarily in geographical, historical, or cultural contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “mongolian” in a Sentence
[be] Mongolian[speak] Mongolian[of] Mongolian [origin][from] MongoliaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mongolian” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- No standard verb form.
American English
- No standard verb form.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverb form.
American English
- No standard adverb form.
adjective
British English
- She is studying traditional Mongolian throat singing.
- The Mongolian embassy issued a travel advisory.
American English
- He ordered the Mongolian beef at the Asian fusion restaurant.
- Mongolian foreign policy has shifted in recent years.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in trade contexts, e.g., 'Mongolian imports', 'Mongolian mining sector'.
Academic
Common in history, linguistics, geography, and Asian studies, e.g., 'Mongolian vowel harmony', 'the Mongolian conquests'.
Everyday
Used for nationality, food, and travel, e.g., 'My neighbour is Mongolian', 'Let's try that new Mongolian restaurant'.
Technical
In linguistics: referring to the Mongolic language family. In genetics: referring to haplogroups. In history: referring to imperial administration.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mongolian”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mongolian”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mongolian”
- Writing 'mongolian' in lower case. It must be capitalized.
- Using 'Mongolian' to refer to Down syndrome (offensive and incorrect).
- Confusing 'Mongolian' (of Mongolia) with 'Mongol' (historical empire/ethnic group, but can be synonymous in some contexts).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are closely related. 'Mongolian' typically refers to things from the modern nation-state of Mongolia (language, citizen). 'Mongol' often refers to the historical empire, the ethnic group (which extends beyond Mongolia's borders), or is used adjectivally (e.g., Mongol conquest). 'Mongolian' is generally safer for modern contexts.
It was based on the erroneous and racist 19th-century theory by John Langdon Down that people with the syndrome represented a 'regression' to a 'Mongolian race'. It incorrectly and offensively links a genetic condition to a specific ethnicity.
Yes, always. It is a proper adjective derived from a proper noun (Mongolia).
The Mongolian language belongs to the Mongolic language family, which is sometimes grouped under the larger Altaic hypothesis, though this is controversial among linguists.
Relating to Mongolia, its people, their language, or culture.
Mongolian is usually formal, neutral, historical, technical (in linguistics/history/geography). the dated medical/racial usage is offensive and obsolete. in register.
Mongolian: in British English it is pronounced /mɒŋˈɡəʊ.li.ən/, and in American English it is pronounced /mɑːŋˈɡoʊ.li.ən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Mongolian hordes (historical, often used metaphorically for a large, overwhelming group)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a GOAL in the middle of MONGo-lia. A Mongolian athlete scoring a winning goal.
Conceptual Metaphor
MONGOLIAN IS VAST AND NOMADIC (e.g., 'Mongolian distances', 'a Mongolian sense of space').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the ONLY acceptable modern use of 'Mongolian'?