How Do You Spell GO NATIVE?

Pronunciation: [ɡˌə͡ʊ nˈe͡ɪtɪv] (IPA)

The phrase "go native" means to adopt the customs, traditions, and behaviors of the local people in a foreign land. It is spelled as /ɡoʊ ˈneɪtɪv/, with the "go" sound pronounced as "goh" and the "native" sound pronounced as "ney-tiv." The "a" in "native" is pronounced as a short "a" sound, like "nat-iv." This idiomatic expression can be traced back to the colonial era when European settlers would adopt the lifestyle of the indigenous people in their colonies.

GO NATIVE Meaning and Definition

1. "Go native" is an idiomatic expression that refers to the act of adapting to or adopting the customs, behavior, language, or lifestyle of a foreign or unfamiliar culture. The term often implies assimilating to the extent that one might be mistaken for a local or a native of that particular culture. It is primarily used to describe individuals who immerse themselves so deeply into a new environment that they begin to operate as if they were born and raised there.

   The expression "go native" can be traced back to the colonial era when European settlers or officials would venture into territories where indigenous people resided. In some instances, these settlers would abandon their own culture and completely embrace the practices, beliefs, and habits of the native population. Today, the term has broader connotations and is used more metaphorically to depict individuals who exhibit a similar level of assimilation, regardless of the context.

   "Go native" can also connote a sense of becoming detached from one's own cultural background, as one becomes so deeply entrenched in the new culture that they may lose touch with their original heritage. The phrase often carries a degree of condescension or criticism, as it suggests that the individual is abandoning their own identity, values, or upbringing in favor of mimicking or imitating that which is foreign to them.

   In summary, "go native" describes the process of becoming fully integrated into a foreign culture to the point where one behaves, speaks, or lives in a manner synonymous with local inhabitants. The phrase emphasizes an individual's willingness to assimilate and adapt to unfamiliar surroundings, often resulting in identification as a member of a different cultural group.

Common Misspellings for GO NATIVE

• fo native
• vo native
• bo native
• ho native
• yo native
• to native
• gi native
• gk native
• gl native
• gp native
• g0 native
• g9 native
• go bative
• go mative
• go jative
• go hative
• go nztive
• go nstive
• go nwtive
• go nqtive

Etymology of GO NATIVE

The phrase "go native" originated in the late 19th century in the context of colonialism and refers to Europeans or outsiders who adopt the customs, behavior, or lifestyle of the local population in the regions they occupy. The term "native" here refers to the indigenous people of a particular area.

The word "native" itself comes from the Latin word "nativus", meaning "born" or "belonging to one by birth". In English, it began to be used in the 14th century to describe someone born in a specific place or country.

The phrase "go native" emerged during the colonial period when European explorers, traders, and settlers encountered new cultures in distant lands. It expressed the idea of individuals becoming integrated into native societies, adopting their dress, customs, language, and sometimes even religious beliefs.

Idioms with the word GO NATIVE

• go native The idiom "go native" generally means to adopt the culture, customs, and lifestyle of a foreign or unfamiliar place in a way that makes one feel like a local. It can also refer to someone embracing a simpler or more natural way of living, often in contrast to their previous lifestyle.