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Glite Dictionary
French Polynesia

French Polynesia

4.1
A group of islands in the South Pacific that belong to France, including Tahiti and Bora Bora
  • proper noun
  • /frɛntʃ pɒlɪˈniːʒə/
translation icon : Polinesia Francesa
  • Many honeymooners choose French Polynesia for its romantic islands and luxurious accommodations.

Examples

  • She dreams of visiting French Polynesia to see its beautiful coral reefs and vibrant culture.

  • Despite the doctor's warnings, Brel decided to live his remaining days in French Polynesia.

    Academic text (2005)

  • The stunning beaches of French Polynesia attract tourists from all over the world.

Synonyms

French Oceania
vsFrench Polynesia
8.9

A group of South Pacific islands that are now called French Polynesia

is the modern official name used now instead of the older name

Surface Forms

French Polynesia main

Morphology

French + Polynesia

The name is fully compositional: 'French' denotes association with France and 'Polynesia' names the Pacific island region, so a learner who knows both words can infer it refers to the part of Polynesia administered by France. This adjectival place-name pattern is cross-linguistically common (e.g., 'Polynésie française'), supporting immediate comprehension by B1 learners.

Etymology

French Polynesia comes from French, the country that is in charge of the islands, and Polynesia, a word meaning 'many islands'. So the name means 'many islands that are part of France', which is why it refers to the group of islands including Tahiti and Bora Bora.