What is the plural of 'vatu'?

The word 'vatu' is typically used uninflected for both singular and plural, similar to 'yen' or 'sheep'. You say 'one vatu' and 'one hundred vatu'.

In which country is the vatu used?

The vatu is the official currency of the Republic of Vanuatu, an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean.

Is 'vatu' a commonly used word in English?

No, it is a very low-frequency word. It is only used in specific contexts related to Vanuatu, such as travel, geography, or international finance.

How do you pronounce 'vatu'?

It is pronounced /ˈvɑːtuː/ (VAH-too), with a long 'ah' sound and a long 'oo' sound, in both British and American English.

vatu

Rare

UK/ˈvɑːtuː/US/ˈvɑːtuː/

Formal, Geographical/Financial

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

The basic unit of currency of Vanuatu.

Used to refer to the currency itself, either in coin or note form, and by extension to money or financial value in Vanuatu.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

This is a proper noun used as a common noun (like 'dollar', 'euro'). It refers exclusively to the Vanuatuan currency. It is typically used uninflected in the plural (e.g., '100 vatu').

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant differences in usage. Both varieties use the term solely in the context of Vanuatu's currency.

Connotations

Neutral, technical/financial.

Frequency

Extremely rare in general discourse for both varieties, encountered almost exclusively in travel, international finance, or geographical contexts.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

Vanuatu vatuone vatu100 vatuvatu coin

medium

exchange ratelocal currencypay in vatu

weak

pricecostmoneyisland

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[AMOUNT] vatuthe vatupay [AMOUNT] in vatu

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Neutral

Vanuatu currency

Weak

moneycash

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Used in international finance reports or travel industry invoices concerning Vanuatu.

Academic

Might appear in economic or geographical studies of the Pacific region.

Everyday

Virtually never used outside of travel to or discussion about Vanuatu.

Technical

Standard term in numismatics (coin collecting) and forex trading for the currency.

Examples

By CEFR Level

This souvenir costs 200 vatu.

Do you accept US dollars, or should I change money to vatu?
The bus fare is only fifty vatu.

The vatu has remained relatively stable against the Australian dollar this quarter.
Travellers should be aware that credit cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels, so carrying vatu is essential.

The central bank intervened to prevent a sharp devaluation of the vatu following the cyclone.
Numismatists prize the early, pre-independence vatu coins for their historical significance.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'VATU' = Vanuatu's Actual Tender Unit.

Conceptual Metaphor

MONEY IS A MEASURE OF VALUE.

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid translating it as a generic word for 'money' like 'деньги'. It is a specific proper noun like 'рубль' or 'доллар'.

Common Mistakes

Adding an 's' for the plural (e.g., 'vatUs'). The plural is typically 'vatu'.
Capitalising it when used generically (correct: 'It costs 500 vatu').

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

Before visiting Vanuatu, you will need to exchange some foreign currency for the local .

Multiple Choice

The word 'vatu' refers specifically to:

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: The word 'vatu' is typically used uninflected for both singular and plural, similar to 'yen' or 'sheep'. You say 'one vatu' and 'one hundred vatu'.
: The vatu is the official currency of the Republic of Vanuatu, an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean.
: No, it is a very low-frequency word. It is only used in specific contexts related to Vanuatu, such as travel, geography, or international finance.
: It is pronounced /ˈvɑːtuː/ (VAH-too), with a long 'ah' sound and a long 'oo' sound, in both British and American English.