Word
congolese
Phoneticscon·golese
/ˌkɑnɡəˈɫiz/
Definitions
01origin or culture
adj. coming from or relating to the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the Republic of the Congo.
adj. pertaining to the geography, culture, or political entities of the Congo region, specifically the two modern sovereign states.
“We enjoyed listening to Congolese music at the festival last night.”
“The exhibition showcases Congolese art from the late nineteenth century, highlighting the intricate woodcarving traditions of the region.”
Usage
Always capitalized in written English.
02a person
n. a person from one of the two countries called the Congo.
n. a person who is a citizen of or identifies with the culture of the Democratic Republic of the Congo or the Republic of the Congo.
“Several Congolese live in this neighborhood and have opened a new market.”
“The diplomat met with a group of Congolese to discuss the new trade agreement between their nations.”
Usage
The plural form is also 'Congolese'.
Teaching tip
When referring to specific citizens, it is often helpful to clarify if they are from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Kinshasa) or the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville).
Etymology
From French congolais, equivalent to Congo + -ese. For information about the -l-, see Togolese.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/congolese