thonburi: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowGeographical, Historical
Quick answer
What does “thonburi” mean?
A historical district and former city in Bangkok, Thailand, located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical district and former city in Bangkok, Thailand, located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.
Refers to the area that served as the capital of Siam for a brief period in the 18th century; often used to denote the western, less urbanized side of Bangkok, known for its traditional canals and communities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage; both varieties treat it as a proper noun for the Thai location.
Connotations
Associated with travel, history, and Southeast Asian geography.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general English, encountered mainly in historical, travel, or geographical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “thonburi” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun - Subject] (e.g., Thonburi is...)[Preposition + Thonburi] (e.g., in, across, to Thonburi)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “thonburi” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Thonburi era was short-lived.
American English
- We explored the Thonburi neighborhood.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in tourism or real estate contexts related to Thailand.
Academic
Used in historical, geographical, or Southeast Asian studies.
Everyday
Almost exclusively in travel conversations or guidebooks.
Technical
Used in urban planning, historical cartography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “thonburi”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “thonburi”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “thonburi”
- Misspelling as 'Thonbury', 'Tonburi'.
- Using it as a common noun.
- Incorrect stress on the first syllable.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Historically, it was a separate city and briefly the capital. Since 1971, it has been formally incorporated as a district within the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
In English, it is commonly pronounced /ˌtɒnˈbʊə.ri/ (British) or /ˌtɑːnˈbʊr.i/ (American), with the primary stress on the second syllable.
The area is known for its network of canals (khlongs), traditional wooden houses, and the Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) is its most famous landmark.
It was the capital of Siam from 1767 to 1782 under King Taksin, after the fall of Ayutthaya, before the capital moved across the river to Rattanakosin (modern Bangkok).
A historical district and former city in Bangkok, Thailand, located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.
Thonburi is usually geographical, historical in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “On the Thonburi side (meaning: in a more traditional, less developed area).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'THON' as in 'THai ON' the west bank, and 'BURI' as in 'BURIed' in history.
Conceptual Metaphor
A BRIDGE TO THE PAST; Thonburi is often conceptualized as a link to Thailand's pre-modern era.
Practice
Quiz
What is Thonburi primarily known as?