belau

IPA/bɪlˈaʊ/
IPA/bᵻlˈaʊ/

belau — noun

1. A country in the western Pacific Ocean made up of a group of tropical islands, l

1.nounB1
Definition

A country in the western Pacific Ocean made up of a group of tropical islands, located within the Caroline Islands region. Its capital city is Ngerulmud, and it is also widely known as Palau.

Example

Mei-Lin spent two weeks in Belau last summer, snorkeling among the coral reefs.

spent two weeks in Belau

The small island nation of Belau is famous for its clear blue waters and rich marine life.

Common collocations
  • visit Belau
  • the government of Belau
  • Belau's waters
  • travel to Belau
  • coast of Belau
Synonyms
  • Palau

    the common English name for the same country; Belau is the native form

Grammar Patterns

belau + verb (singular)

Usage Note

Belau is the native name of the country; in English it is more commonly called Palau. Both names refer to the same nation.

Word family

  • Palauan
    adjectiveB2
  • Palauan
    nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Belau and Palau refer to the same island nation in the western Pacific Ocean. Belau (pronounced beh-LOW) is the name used in the Palauan language and appears in official domestic contexts, such as the country's constitution. Palau (pronounced puh-LOW) is the more common English name, adopted through Spanish and German colonial influence. A traveler would almost always see 'Palau' on airline tickets, guidebooks, and news reports, while 'Belau' might appear on local government documents or cultural materials. Both names are correct; choosing the right one depends on whether the context is international English (Palau) or local/native usage (Belau).

Belau ↗Palau ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • the government of Belau
  • the people of Belau
  • Belau's waters
  • Belau's economy

Phrases

  • visit Belau
  • travel to Belau
  • live in Belau

Prepositions

  • in Belau
  • to Belau
  • of Belau
  • off the coast of Belau

Etymology

PalauanSpanishGermanEnglish

Belau comes from the Palauan language, the indigenous language of the islands. The name is thought to derive from 'aibebelau,' a Palauan word meaning 'indirect replies,' which comes from a traditional creation story. The English name Palau entered European maps through Spanish explorers in the 16th century and later through German colonial administration in the late 1800s.