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Glite Dictionary
Port Louis

Port Louis

1 4.4
A capital city and main port of Mauritius on the northwest coast
  • proper noun
: Puerto Luis
  • After arriving in Mauritius, we took a short drive to Port Louis to explore the city.

Examples

  • The government buildings in Port Louis are a blend of colonial and modern architecture.

  • Tourists often visit the bustling markets of Port Louis for souvenirs and local foods.

  • I visited Port Louis last summer.

  • Have you ever been to Port Louis?

  • After arriving in Mauritius, we took a short drive to Port Louis to explore the city.

  • The government buildings in Port Louis are a blend of colonial and modern architecture.

  • Tourists often visit the bustling markets of Port Louis for souvenirs and local foods.

Surface Forms

Port Louis main

Morphology

port + Louis

The phrase combines 'port' (harbour) with the proper name 'Louis', so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would likely infer it is a place or harbour called Louis. However, the specific information that it is the capital and chief port of Mauritius cannot be deduced from the parts alone, so the meaning is only partially predictable.

Etymology

Port Louis gets its name from French: port means 'harbor' and early French sailors named the main harbor for King Louis, calling it Port Louis. So the name itself reminds us that the place was the island's main 'harbor' and today it is the capital and chief port of Mauritius.