# Shan

/ˈʃæn/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/shan
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a member of a group of people who live mostly in Myanmar. It can also mean the language they speak.

For teachers: a member of a Tai-speaking ethnic group inhabiting the Shan State of Myanmar and adjacent areas of Thailand and China. When referring to the language, it is a member of the Tai-Kadai family.

## Examples

- The Shan people have a rich cultural history.
- Many Shan communities in the border regions maintain traditional agricultural practices and unique religious festivals.
- Linguistic studies of the Shan language reveal significant tonal similarities with other Tai-Kadai languages spoken across Southeast Asia and southern China.

## Usage notes

- The word is used as a countable noun for individuals and as an uncountable noun for the language or the ethnic group as a whole.

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