singhalese: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “singhalese” mean?
Relating to the majority ethnic group in Sri Lanka, their language (Sinhala), or their culture.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to the majority ethnic group in Sri Lanka, their language (Sinhala), or their culture.
Pertaining to the Sinhalese people (the largest ethnic group in Sri Lanka), their Indo-Aryan language, or their historical and cultural traditions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both variants use the term, but it is more frequently encountered in British English due to historical colonial ties to Sri Lanka (Ceylon). The spelling 'Sinhalese' is preferred in modern academic writing in both regions.
Connotations
Neutral and descriptive. May carry historical connotations related to the British colonial period in Ceylon.
Frequency
Low frequency in general usage. Higher frequency in specialized texts on South Asia, linguistics, or anthropology.
Grammar
How to Use “singhalese” in a Sentence
[Singhalese] + noun (e.g., Singhalese community)the + [Singhalese] (as a plural noun)[Singhalese] + of + [place/group]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “singhalese” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The manuscript was Singhaleseed for the new museum exhibit.
- They are Singhalesing the software interface.
American English
- The document was Sinhala-ized for local users.
- They are localizing the content into Sinhalese.
adverb
British English
- The poem was written Singhalese-ly, with traditional metre.
- He argued Singhalese-ly for the preservation of the script.
American English
- The inscription was composed in a distinctly Sinhalese style.
- She spoke knowledgeably about Sinhalese cultural norms.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like 'Singhalese translation services' or 'market analysis of the Singhalese-speaking community'.
Academic
Common in history, linguistics, anthropology, and South Asian studies.
Everyday
Very rare. Might appear in news about Sri Lankan politics or culture.
Technical
Used in linguistics (language classification) and ethnography.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “singhalese”
- Misspelling as 'Singalese' or 'Singhalease'.
- Using it as a singular noun for a person (correct: 'a Sinhalese person' or 'a Sinhalese').
- Confusing it with 'Sikh' due to the 'Singh' element.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Sinhalese' is the more common and modern spelling. 'Singhalese' is an older variant, but both refer to the same people, language, and culture.
Essentially, yes. 'Sinhala' is the native name for the language and is often preferred in linguistic contexts. 'Singhalese/Sinhalese' is the English adjectival and nominal form.
It can be used as a noun (e.g., 'He is a Singhalese'), but it is more precise and common to say 'a Sinhalese person' or 'a member of the Sinhalese community'.
Primarily in academic writing (history, linguistics, political science), journalism about Sri Lanka, and cultural discussions. It is rare in everyday conversation outside these spheres.
Relating to the majority ethnic group in Sri Lanka, their language (Sinhala), or their culture.
Singhalese is usually formal, academic in register.
Singhalese: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɪŋ(g)əˈliːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɪŋɡəˈliz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As old as the Singhalese chronicles”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the LION on Sri Lanka's flag ('Sinha' means lion in Sanskrit, relating to the Sinhalese people). SING-ha-lese.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE/PEOPLE AS A LIVING HISTORY (e.g., 'The Singhalese language carries centuries of Buddhist texts.')
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary language associated with the term 'Singhalese'?