Rakhine
|Rakh-ine|
/ˈrɑːkaɪn/
people/region of Rakhine (Arakan)
Etymology
'Rakhine' originates from Burmese, specifically the word 'ရခိုင်' ('rakhine'), where the form refers to the people of the region historically called Arakan.
'Rakhine' changed from the older English form 'Arakan' (from Pali/Sanskrit historic forms such as 'Arakāñña') and eventually became the modern English word 'Rakhine' through re-adoption of the local Burmese endonym in the 19th–20th centuries.
Initially it referred chiefly to the region called 'Arakan' and its inhabitants; over time the local name 'Rakhine' was adopted in English to refer to the people, the state, and the language.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an ethnic group native to western Myanmar (historically called Arakan); also called the Arakanese.
The Rakhine are one of Myanmar's ethnic groups.
Synonyms
Noun 2
a state in western Myanmar on the Bay of Bengal (Rakhine State).
Rakhine State has a long coastline on the Bay of Bengal.
Synonyms
Noun 3
the Tibeto-Burman language spoken by the Rakhine people; also called Arakanese (the Rakhine language).
She learned Rakhine at home and Burmese at school.
Synonyms
Adjective 1
relating to the Rakhine people, their language, culture, or the region (Rakhine State).
Rakhine textile traditions are known for their intricate patterns.
Last updated: 2026/01/02 00:56