English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun

Yao

Yao (noun) means a member of an ethnic group living across parts of Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania in southeastern Africa. Example: “The Yao have historically been active traders along Lake Malawi.”

noun
1
A member of an ethnic group living across parts of Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania in southeastern Africa.
"The Yao have historically been active traders along Lake Malawi."
2
A member of an ethnic group in southern China and parts of Southeast Asia, also known as the Mien.
"Yao communities in Guangxi are known for their distinctive embroidery."

How to use Yao

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe name of two unrelated ethnic groups — one in southeastern Africa, one in southern China/Southeast Asia.

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “Yao” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ have historically been active traders along Lake Malawi.

Etymology

Borrowed from Mandarin 瑤/瑶 (yáo).

Rhymes for Yao

See all rhymes for Yao →

Frequently asked questions

What does “Yao” mean?

The word “Yao” means a member of an ethnic group living across parts of Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania in southeastern Africa. In plain terms, the name of two unrelated ethnic groups — one in southeastern Africa, one in southern China/Southeast Asia.

How do you use “Yao” in a sentence?

Here is “Yao” used in a sentence: “The Yao have historically been active traders along Lake Malawi.”

What part of speech is “Yao”?

“Yao” is a noun.

How many meanings does “Yao” have?

“Yao” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a member of an ethnic group living across parts of Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania in southeastern Africa.

Featured in

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial