The spelling of the word "Rangoon" is derived from the Burmese name of the city, "Yangon". The Burmese language has a different writing system than English, so the romanization of the name includes some adjustments to reflect the sounds of Burmese. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced /ɹænˈɡuːn/ with stress on the second syllable. The first syllable has a rhotic "r" sound, and the second syllable has a long vowel sound. Despite the change in official name to Yangon, "Rangoon" is still commonly used in English.
Rangoon typically refers to the former capital city of Myanmar (Burma) known as Yangon. It is a noun with different meanings depending on the context.
1. As a proper noun: Rangoon is a major city in Myanmar, located in the southern part of the country near the Yangon River. It served as the capital city until 2006 when Naypyidaw took over as the official capital. Rangoon is known for its rich history, colonial architecture, and prominent religious sites like the Shwedagon Pagoda.
2. As a food dish: Rangoon can also refer to a popular appetizer in the cuisines of Southeast Asia and the United States. Rangoon typically consists of a triangular or crescent-shaped fried dumpling filled with a mixture of cream cheese, crab meat, and various seasonings, often served with a sweet and sour sauce.
3. As a military operation: In military terminology, "Operation Rangoon" was the codename for a World War II operation conducted by the British Indian Army to liberate the city of Rangoon from Japanese occupation. The operation took place in 1945 as part of the Burma Campaign.
Overall, Rangoon is primarily associated with the city of Yangon in Myanmar, but it can also refer to a type of food or a military operation, depending on the context.
The word "Rangoon" is derived from the word "Yangon", which is the current official name for the capital city of Myanmar (formerly known as Burma). The etymology of "Yangon" can be traced back to the Burmese language, where "yan" means "enemies" or "strife", and "koun" means "run out" or "completely". Therefore, "Yangon" can be interpreted to mean "End of Strife" or "The Strife is Over". The spelling "Rangoon" was the anglicized version of the name used during the colonial period when Myanmar was under British rule. However, in 1989, the name of the city was officially changed to Yangon.