Tocantins River

5.8

A river in eastern Brazil that flows north into the Pará River near the Atlantic Ocean

proper noun

: río Tocantins

The Tocantins River is crucial for transportation and hydroelectric power in eastern Brazil.

Examples

The Tocantins River is one of the largest rivers in Brazil.
Many unique species of fish inhabit the waters of the Tocantins River.
Local farmers depend on the Tocantins River for irrigation during the dry season.
Have you ever visited the Tocantins River?
Local farmers depend on the Tocantins River for irrigation during the dry season.
Many unique species of fish inhabit the waters of the Tocantins River.
The Tocantins River is crucial for transportation and hydroelectric power in eastern Brazil.

Synonyms

Tocantins

vsTocantins River

1 9.9

A river in eastern Brazil that flows north into the Pará River

gives the same river but adds that it joins near the Atlantic Ocean

Surface Forms

Tocantins River main

Morphology

Tocantins + river

This is a straightforward compositional name + common noun combination: a place/name 'Tocantins' followed by the noun 'river' directly indicates a river called Tocantins. The meaning is immediately derivable from the constituents and follows a universal naming pattern (e.g., 'Thames River', 'Rio X'), so a B1 learner who knows the parts will understand it.

Etymology

The name Tocantins River may come from a native word that meant toucan's beak. People thought a bend in the river looked like a toucan's beak, so that image became the river's name and that is why the river is called Tocantins today.