indigenous

Definitions

From Latin indigena, 'a native' (indu-/indi- 'within' + gen 'born') = 'born within' a place. Plants, animals, or peoples that are indigenous originated right there rather than being brought in. The 'born inside this land' image is the whole word.

Common Collocations

• 1.indigenous people原住民
• 2.indigenous species本土物种
• 3.indigenous to原产于……
• 4.indigenous culture原住民文化

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The koala is indigenous to Australia.

• 2.

  The museum displays artifacts of indigenous peoples.

• 3.

  Many indigenous plants have adapted to the desert climate.

Easily Confused

indigenous vs native vs aboriginal — all mean 'originating locally.' native is the everyday word (a plant native to Asia); indigenous is more formal and now strongly associated with original peoples (indigenous communities); aboriginal specifically refers to the earliest known inhabitants, especially of Australia.