lesotho

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lesotho" is correct as it refers to a country in Southern Africa, but it should be capitalized as "Lesotho" in written English.
You can use it when discussing the country, its culture, geography, or any related topics. Example: "Lesotho is known for its mountainous terrain and rich cultural heritage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Life expectancy is briefest in Lesotho for both men (45.6 years) and women (51.2 years).

The Guardian

The main director in her office is from Lesotho.

The Economist

In rural villages in Lesotho, the biggest brick house often belongs not to the chief, but to a miner.

The Economist

The asparagus crop on farms near Lesotho is picked largely by workers from across the border.

The Economist

Elections in Lesotho are generally deemed fair, but they have often been followed by violence.

The Economist

It is not South Africa's fault that East Asian economies are in trouble, nor that so many other African countries are at war although South Africa's calamitous invasion of Lesotho will not help.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Unless milled, the import of GM foods is banned in Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The Guardian

The company now operates in 17 countries including Botswana, Lesotho, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa and New Zealand.

The Guardian

Mr Zoellick hopes to sign a trade deal this year with southern Africa, which could be expanded to other bits of the continent.Negotiations for a trade deal between America and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU, composed of South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland) began a year ago, but start in earnest on February 23rd.

The Economist

Poor little brother Justice, up to a point ReprintsSurrounded by South Africa, Lesotho has barely 2m people but too few jobs.

The Economist

The country's mines and farms have long employed workers from Lesotho, Malawi and Zimbabwe; wars in the region long sent refugees across the border.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "Lesotho", use "Kingdom of Lesotho" in formal contexts or at the first mention for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using vague adjectives like "interesting" or "unique" without providing specific details about what makes "Lesotho" so. Be precise about its culture, geography, or economy.

Linguistic Context

"Lesotho" functions primarily as a proper noun, denoting a specific country in Southern Africa. Ludwig confirms its role in sentences where it serves as a subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Lesotho" is a proper noun denoting a country in Southern Africa, commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. Ludwig AI indicates it should be capitalized. Its grammatical function is straightforward, serving as a subject, object, or complement. While the term itself is neutral in register, using "Kingdom of Lesotho" may add formality. The examples from Ludwig underline that "Lesotho" is frequently mentioned in discussions about economics, politics, and geography, painting a vivid picture of its multifaceted presence on the global stage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Kingdom of Lesotho

More formal, official name.

Lesotho, a nation in Southern Africa

Adds context about its location.

the landlocked country of Lesotho

Emphasizes its landlocked status.

the mountain kingdom

Highlights the geographical characteristic.

the country bordering South Africa

Describes its geographical location relative to South Africa.

the Basotho nation

Refers to the people of Lesotho.

the constitutional monarchy in Southern Africa

Describes the form of government.

one of the highest countries in the world

Emphasizes its high altitude.

Maseru (Lesotho)

Refers to the capital of Lesotho.

the Switzerland of Africa

Implies comparison of landscape.

FAQs

How should I use "Lesotho" in a sentence?

"Lesotho" is typically used as a noun, referring to the country. For example, ""Lesotho" is a landlocked country in Southern Africa."

What can I say instead of "Lesotho"?

Depending on the context, you can use the official name, "Kingdom of Lesotho", or a descriptive phrase like "the mountain kingdom".

Is it correct to refer to the people of Lesotho as "Lesotho"?

No, "Lesotho" refers to the country itself. The people are referred to as "Basotho people".

What is notable about "Lesotho"'s geography?

"Lesotho" is known for being completely surrounded by South Africa and for its mountainous terrain, leading to it sometimes being called "the Switzerland of Africa".