Zaire

Type River & Country
Usage Portuguese, English
Pronounced Pron. zah-EER(American English) zah-EE(British English)  [key·IPA]

Meaning & History

Older name of the Congo River, said to be derived via Portuguese from Kikongo nzadi o nzere meaning "river swallowing rivers". This was also the former name of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Related Names

Other Languages & CulturesZaïre(Dutch) Zaïre(French)
Same SpellingZaïre

Categories

Africa, former countries
Entry updated April 23, 2024