What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bicultural
Example
As a bicultural person, I celebrate both Chinese and American holidays. [bicultural: adjective]
Example
She grew up in a bicultural household, speaking both English and Spanish fluently. [bicultural: adjective]
multicultural
Example
Our school is proud to be a multicultural institution, with students from over 30 different countries. [multicultural: adjective]
Example
She enjoys attending multicultural festivals to experience different traditions and cuisines. [multicultural: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Multicultural is more commonly used than bicultural in everyday language. Multicultural is a widely recognized term that is used to describe diverse societies, communities, and institutions. On the other hand, bicultural is less common and is typically used to describe individuals or households with a strong connection to two cultures.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bicultural and multicultural?
Both bicultural and multicultural can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, multicultural is more versatile and commonly used across different formality levels, while bicultural may be more commonly used in academic or specialized discussions about cultural identity.
