Togolese

From French togolais, equivalent to Togo +‎ -ese. The -l-, also present in Congolese and its French etymon congolais, was added in French to break up the sequence of -o + -ais; it is not present in words formed from -o + -ese in English, e.g. Faroese or Chicagoese.^[1]

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• Rhymes: -iːz

Togolese (not comparable)

1. Of, from, or pertaining to Togo or its people.

Togolese (plural Togolese)

1. (chiefly in the plural) A person from Togo or of Togolese descent.
   • 2021 April 15, Jennifer C. Seely, Samuel Decalo, Historical Dictionary of Togo, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, →ISBN, page 202:

     Grunitzky was educated locally and abroad (receiving one of the first scholarships ever granted to a Togolese), studying mathematics and obtaining an engineering degree (1937). Upon his return to Togo, Grunitzky joined the civil service […]

• As with other terms for people formed with -ese, the countable singular noun in reference to a person (as in "I am a Togolese", "writing about Togolese cuisine as a Togolese") is uncommon and often taken as incorrect. In its place, the adjective is used, by itself (as in "I am Togolese") or before a noun like person, man, or woman ("writing about Togolese cuisine as a Togolese person"). See also -ish, which is similarly only used primarily as an adjective or as a plural noun.

• sub-Saharan, African

Togolese

1. attributive form of Togolees

Togolese

1. plural of Togolees