Irrawaddy River

1 6.3

A large river in Myanmar that flows north to south into the Andaman Sea

proper noun

: río Irrawaddy

Tourists often visit the Irrawaddy River to admire its beautiful scenery and diverse wildlife.

Examples

The Irrawaddy River flows from the northern mountains of Myanmar to the Andaman Sea.
One of the longest rivers in Southeast Asia, the Irrawaddy River provides vital resources for local communities.
Many villages along the Irrawaddy River depend on its waters for fishing and irrigation.
The Irrawaddy River is a vital waterway for transport and agriculture in Myanmar.
Tourists often take cruises on the Irrawaddy River to enjoy the scenic views of the Burmese countryside.
The Irrawaddy River is the longest river in Myanmar.
Many tourists take a boat trip on the Irrawaddy River.

Synonyms

Irrawaddy

vsIrrawaddy River

1 8.4

The main river in Myanmar that flows north to south into the Andaman Sea

is the same but includes the word river in the name

Surface Forms

Irrawaddy River main

Morphology

Irrawaddy + river

This is a straightforward proper-name + noun combination: if a learner knows 'Irrawaddy' as the place/name and 'river' as a watercourse, the meaning (the river called Irrawaddy) is directly derivable. Proper-name + noun constructions are cross-linguistically common and follow transparent, compositional patterns.

Etymology

Irrawaddy River may come from an old word for the mythic elephant 'Airavata'. People thought the long, powerful river moved through the land like a giant elephant, so the name came to mean the great river of Myanmar.