Burmese

Burmese is a term that can refer to the people of Myanmar (formerly Burma), the language they speak, or things related to the country itself. It is commonly used to denote the majority ethnic group of Myanmar and their culture, as well as the official language of the country. The word is also used as an adjective for anything associated with Myanmar.

The Burmese language is part of the Sino-Tibetan language family. It is the official language of Myanmar and the lingua franca among many ethnic groups. It is written in the Burmese script, a Brahmi-derived writing system characterized by rounded shapes. Standard Burmese is based on the Yangon-Mandalay dialect and is used in government, education, and media; many regional dialects and minority languages exist.

The Burmese people constitute the largest ethnic group in Myanmar, predominantly residing in the central Irrawaddy Valley. They practice Theravada Buddhism, which plays a central role in culture, art, festivals, and daily life. Burmese culture encompasses traditional music, dance, literature, and cuisine, reflecting influences from neighboring regions and internal ethnic diversity.

Myanmar is located in Southeast Asia, bordered by India, China, Laos, Thailand, and the Andaman Sea. The term "Burmese" reflects both historical usage (Burma) and contemporary national identity, and is sometimes used in scholarly or international contexts to distinguish the language and the people from other ethnic groups within the country.