ENGLISH
REFERENCE

balkan

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈbɔɫkən// balkan Archaic

adj. relating to the countries and people in the Balkan Peninsula of Southeast Europe. You use it to describe the culture, history, or geography of this specific region.

adj. relating to the Balkan Peninsula, its inhabitants, or their cultures. When capitalised, it refers specifically to the geopolitical region of Southeast Europe.


SIMPLE

We enjoyed traditional Balkan music at the festival.

CONTEXTUAL

The Balkan region is known for its diverse history and complex political landscape.

COMPLEX

Scholars often study Balkan history to understand how the intersection of various empires shaped the modern borders and cultural identities of Southeast Europe.

Origin

From Ottoman Turkish بالقان, modern Turkish balkan (“wooded, craggy mountain range”).

Usage

Typically capitalised as 'Balkan'. Often used attributively before a noun like 'history', 'cuisine', or 'politics'.

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