sukarnapura: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2/Extremely LowHistorical, Academic, Specialised
Quick answer
What does “sukarnapura” mean?
The historical name of the city now known as Jayapura, the capital of Papua province, Indonesia.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The historical name of the city now known as Jayapura, the capital of Papua province, Indonesia; used specifically in reference to its official name during the period of Indonesian administration from 1963 to 1968.
A toponym representing a specific era of post-colonial Indonesian history and nation-building, often encountered in historical, geographical, or political contexts discussing the region of Western New Guinea.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in usage or familiarity between British and American English, as the term is specific to Indonesian history. Both varieties would encounter it only in specialised contexts.
Connotations
Carries connotations of Indonesian sovereignty, the post-colonial era, and the political integration of Western New Guinea.
Frequency
Vanishingly rare in general usage. Frequency is equal and near-zero in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “sukarnapura” in a Sentence
[Place] was renamed Sukarnapura in [Year].The administration of Sukarnapura lasted until [Year].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, political science, or Southeast Asian studies texts discussing the transition of Dutch New Guinea to Indonesian rule.
Everyday
Extremely unlikely to be encountered.
Technical
Used in precise historical chronology or official documentation from the 1963-1968 period.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sukarnapura”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sukarnapura”
- Misspelling as 'Sukarnopura' or 'Sukarnapura'.
- Using it to refer to modern-day Jayapura outside of a historical context.
- Treating it as a common noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The official name was changed to Jayapura in 1968, and this remains its current name.
It was named in honour of Indonesia's first president, Sukarno, following the transfer of the territory from UN administration to Indonesia.
Almost exclusively in historical texts, academic papers on Indonesian history or political geography, and detailed historical timelines of the Papua region.
Hollandia was the name of the settlement under Dutch colonial rule. After Indonesian administration began, it was renamed first to Kota Baru, then Sukarnapura, and finally Jayapura.
The historical name of the city now known as Jayapura, the capital of Papua province, Indonesia.
Sukarnapura is usually historical, academic, specialised in register.
Sukarnapura: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsuː.kɑː.nəˈpʊə.rə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsu.kɑr.nəˈpʊr.ə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SUKARNApura sounds like 'Sukarno' (the Indonesian president) + 'pura' (city in Sanskrit/Indonesian, like Singapore), meaning 'Sukarno's City'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PLACE IS A POLITICAL STATEMENT. The name embodies the act of claiming territory through nomenclature.
Practice
Quiz
What does the toponym 'Sukarnapura' primarily signify?