Port Vila

1 5.8

The capital city of Vanuatu on the island of Efate in the South Pacific

proper noun

: Puerto Vila

Many tourists visit Port Vila for its vibrant markets and beautiful harbor.

Examples

The international airport in Port Vila is the main gateway to Vanuatu.
She lived in Port Vila for three years while working for a non-profit organization.
I visited Port Vila last summer.
Have you ever been to Port Vila?
The beautiful beaches of Port Vila attract tourists from around the world.
Located on the island of Efate, Port Vila is known for its vibrant culture and stunning scenery.
Many locals enjoy exploring the markets in Port Vila, where they can find fresh produce and handmade crafts.

Surface Forms

Port Vila main

Morphology

Port + Vila

The element 'Port' clearly signals a harbour/place so a B1 learner who knows 'port' would likely infer that Port Vila is a place (a port or town), and 'Vila' resembles cognates for village/town in several languages. However, the specific information that it is the capital of Vanuatu and its precise location are lexicalized and cannot be deduced from the constituents alone, so the name is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Port Vila may come from the word port meaning 'harbour' and the local name Vila, from a small river or village nearby. Sailors and traders would call the harbour by the Vila, so the place became known as 'Port Vila'.