Bilingual Meaning in English

word

US

baɪˈɫɪŋɡwəɫ

by-LING-gwuhl

UK

baɪlˈɪŋɡwəl

by-LING-gwuhl

Definition

Able to speak and understand two languages fluently, or involving two languages.

Usage & Nuances

Common in educational and professional contexts. Can describe people ("She is bilingual") or things ("bilingual document"). Not specific to any two languages. Use "multilingual" for more than two languages.

• Spanish: bilingüe
• Portuguese (BR): bilíngue
• Portuguese (PT): bilíngue
• Chinese (Simplified): 双语的
• Chinese (Traditional): 雙語的
• Hindi: द्विभाषी
• Arabic: ثنائي اللغة
• Bengali: দ্বিভাষিক
• Russian: двуязычный
• Japanese: バイリンガル
• Vietnamese: song ngữ
• Korean: 이중 언어의 - 두 언어를 하는
• Turkish: çift dilli
• Urdu: دو لسانی
• Indonesian: dwibahasa

Example Sentences

My teacher is bilingual in English and French.

basic

This school offers bilingual education.

basic

He grew up in a bilingual family.

basic

Being bilingual really helped her find a better job.

natural

All the signs here are bilingual.

natural

I'm raising my kids to be bilingual.

natural