How to Pronounce ngultrum

Meaning and Context

The ngultrum (BTN) is the official and sole legal tender of the Kingdom of Bhutan, a sovereign nation nestled in the Eastern Himalayas. Introduced in 1974 to replace the Indian rupee, the ngultrum is pegged at par with the Indian rupee, a reflection of the close economic ties and trade relationship between the two countries. The currency is subdivided into 100 smaller units known as chetrums. Banknotes and coins often feature the portrait of Bhutan's revered monarchs, such as the Druk Gyalpo (Dragon King), and iconic national symbols including the Takin, the Dzong architecture, and Buddhist motifs, making them a canvas for the nation's rich cultural heritage. For travelers and economists, understanding the Bhutanese ngultrum is essential for engaging with the country's unique, tourism-regulated economy and its philosophy of Gross National Happiness. The currency's stability, maintained through its peg to the Indian rupee, is a cornerstone of Bhutan's financial system and a key factor for foreign exchange and investment considerations related to this Himalayan kingdom.

Common Mistakes and Alternative Spellings

The standard and correct spelling is ngultrum. A common misspelling arises from phonetic interpretations, leading to errors such as "ngultrum" (missing the 'g'), "nultrum," or "gultrum." Another frequent typo is "ngultrum," which incorrectly doubles the 'r'. The plural form is typically "ngultrum" as well (e.g., "fifty ngultrum"), similar to how "yen" or "yuan" is used, though "ngultrums" is occasionally seen in informal contexts. The subunit is consistently spelled chetrum (plural: chetrums), which is sometimes mistakenly written as "chetram" or "chetrem." When abbreviating the currency, the ISO 4217 code "BTN" is used, not to be confused with the Bhutanese Ngultrum's common symbol, "Nu.", as in Nu. 500.

Example Sentences

Exchanging currency upon arrival, visitors receive Bhutanese ngultrum notes adorned with intricate depictions of the Punakha Dzong.

Prices in the bustling weekend market in Thimphu are listed in ngultrum, though Indian rupees are also widely accepted.

The 1 ngultrum coin, useful for small purchases, is equivalent in value to 1 Indian rupee due to the fixed peg.

Collectors seek out the commemorative ngultrum coins issued to mark the coronation of the Fifth Druk Gyalpo.

When budgeting for a trek, it's important to calculate costs in ngultrum, as remote villages may not accept foreign cards or other currencies.

The stability of the ngultrum has been instrumental in facilitating controlled tourism, a major source of revenue for the country.

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