Is Surabaya the capital of Indonesia?

No, the capital of Indonesia is Jakarta. Surabaya is the second-largest city and the capital of East Java province.

What is the 'Battle of Surabaya'?

It was a significant battle fought in November 1945 between Indonesian nationalist forces and British and British Indian troops, marking a key event in the Indonesian National Revolution.

How do you pronounce Surabaya correctly?

The most common English pronunciation is /ˌsʊr.əˈbaɪ.ə/, with the main stress on the third syllable ('baɪ').

Is 'Surabaya' used as a common noun?

Extremely rarely. It is almost exclusively a proper noun. An exception is in specific compound names like 'Surabaya chicken', a breed originating from the area.

Is “surabaya” formal?

Surabaya is usually formal/informal (context dependent) in register.

surabaya: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low

UK/ˌsʊər.əˈbaɪ.ə/US/ˌsʊr.əˈbaɪ.ə/

Formal/Informal (context dependent)

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Quick answer

What does “surabaya” mean?

A major port city in East Java, Indonesia.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A major port city in East Java, Indonesia.

The second-largest city in Indonesia; often referenced as a cultural, economic, and historical hub in East Java, and in some contexts, as a placename for other entities (e.g., a chicken breed, a battle).

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in core meaning or usage as a placename.

Connotations

Similar connotations as a foreign city name. Possibly stronger historical/military association for UK English due to the WWII Battle of Surabaya.

Frequency

Equally low frequency in both varieties, appearing mainly in geographical, historical, or cultural contexts.

Grammar

How to Use “surabaya” in a Sentence

[proper noun]

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

city ofport ofBattle of

medium

infromvisittravel to

weak

live inneargo to

Examples

Examples of “surabaya” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

The Surabaya operation was a strategic success.

American English

Surabaya chicken is a specific breed.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Referenced in international trade, logistics, and market analysis contexts (e.g., 'The Surabaya plant handles exports').

Academic

Appears in geography, Southeast Asian studies, history, and post-colonial literature.

Everyday

Used in travel discussions, news about Indonesia, or general world knowledge.

Technical

Used in shipping, aviation, and military history.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “surabaya”

Strong

Indonesian cityJavanese city

Weak

urban centre (in Java)port city

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “surabaya”

Misspelling: 'Surabaja' (old Dutch spelling).
Mispronunciation: placing stress on the first syllable (/ˈsʊər.ə.baɪ.ə/).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, the capital of Indonesia is Jakarta. Surabaya is the second-largest city and the capital of East Java province.
: It was a significant battle fought in November 1945 between Indonesian nationalist forces and British and British Indian troops, marking a key event in the Indonesian National Revolution.
: The most common English pronunciation is /ˌsʊr.əˈbaɪ.ə/, with the main stress on the third syllable ('baɪ').
: Extremely rarely. It is almost exclusively a proper noun. An exception is in specific compound names like 'Surabaya chicken', a breed originating from the area.
: A major port city in East Java, Indonesia.
: Surabaya is usually formal/informal (context dependent) in register.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Surabaya: Think 'Sure, a buyer' might find goods in this major Indonesian port city.

Conceptual Metaphor

N/A (Primarily a referential proper noun).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The port city of is a major economic hub in East Java.

Multiple Choice

Surabaya is primarily known as: