-Stan

Pronunciation: /stæn/

Definitions of -stan

noun a suffix used in the names of countries, regions, and cities in Central and South Asia, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan

Example Sentences

A1 I want to visit Kazakhstan someday.

A2 Turkmenistan is known for its natural gas reserves.

B1 Pakistan has a diverse culture and rich history.

B2 Kyrgyzstan is a landlocked country in Central Asia.

C1 Uzbekistan is famous for its ancient cities along the Silk Road.

C2 Afghanistan has faced many challenges in recent years.

Examples of -stan in a Sentence

formal Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world.

informal I heard Kyrgyzstan is a beautiful country to visit.

slang Let's plan a trip to Uzbekistan next summer!

figurative She felt like she was in Turkmenistan, lost in a sea of unknown faces.

Grammatical Forms of -stan

• plural: stans
• comparative: more stan
• superlative: most stan
• present tense: stand
• future tense: will stand
• perfect tense: have stood
• continuous tense: is standing
• singular: stan
• positive degree: stan
• infinitive: to stand
• gerund: standing
• participle: stood

Origin and Evolution of -stan

First Known Use: 1250 year

Language of Origin: Persian

Story behind the word: The suffix '-stan' is of Persian origin, meaning 'land of' or 'place of'. It has been used in various languages in the Middle East and South Asia.

Evolution of the word: Originally used to denote a specific geographical location, the suffix '-stan' has evolved to become associated with countries or regions, often used in the names of countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Kazakhstan.