This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 Proper Noun #37 most common 11 min read

meereen

Top 37

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips meereen in 30 Seconds

Explanation meereen in your Level:

Meereen is the name of a city in a famous story called 'Game of Thrones'. It is a very big city with many tall buildings that look like triangles, called pyramids. A queen named Daenerys goes there with her dragons. It is very hot in Meereen because it is in a desert. People in the story talk about Meereen when they talk about the Queen and her adventures. You can think of it like a big, sunny city from a movie. It is not a real place you can visit on a map of our world, but it is very important in the books and the TV show. When you see a picture of a giant pyramid with a golden statue on top, that is usually Meereen.

Meereen is a fictional city from the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' books. It is located on a continent called Essos. In the story, Meereen is known for its history of slavery. The main character, Daenerys Targaryen, conquers the city to free the slaves. Meereen is famous for its 'Great Pyramid,' where the Queen lives. The city is built with bricks of many different colors. If you are learning English and watching 'Game of Thrones', you will hear this name often in the middle seasons. It is a place where many difficult things happen to the characters. It is a proper noun, so you should always use a capital 'M'.

Meereen is a major setting in George R. R. Martin's fantasy series. It is the largest city in Slaver's Bay and serves as the primary location for Daenerys Targaryen's attempt to rule as a queen. Unlike her previous conquests, she decides to stay in Meereen to learn how to govern. The city is depicted as a complex society with its own ancient traditions, such as the fighting pits and the worship of the Harpy. The term 'Meereenese' is used to describe anything related to the city. For a B1 learner, understanding Meereen is key to following the political plotlines of the series, as it represents the struggle between old traditions and new reforms.

In the context of high fantasy literature, Meereen is a city-state that embodies the 'Meereenese Knot,' a narrative complexity where multiple character arcs converge. It is a city defined by its Ghiscari heritage, characterized by monumental architecture like the Great Pyramid and a rigid social hierarchy led by the 'Great Masters.' The city's economy was historically dependent on the slave trade, and its abolition by Daenerys leads to a violent insurgency by a group called the Sons of the Harpy. Meereen serves as a cautionary tale about the difficulties of cultural imposition and the unintended consequences of revolutionary change. Its portrayal is rich with imagery of heat, dust, and the scent of exotic spices.

Meereen functions as a sophisticated literary device within Martin's narrative, serving as a crucible for Daenerys Targaryen's development from a conqueror to a sovereign. The city's socio-political structure is a pastiche of various ancient civilizations, offering a critique of imperialism and the complexities of post-colonial governance. The 'Meereenese Knot' refers to the logistical and pacing challenges the author faced in synchronizing the arrival of various protagonists at this location. Academically, Meereen can be analyzed through the lens of Orientalism, as it presents a Western-centric view of an 'Eastern' culture that is both exoticized and depicted as inherently corrupt, providing fertile ground for discussions on modern fantasy tropes and their real-world implications.

Meereen stands as a monumental achievement in fictional world-building, representing a decadent civilization at the precipice of systemic collapse. Its architecture—a labyrinth of multicolored brick and imposing pyramids—mirrors the convoluted political landscape that Daenerys must navigate. The city is a locus of dialectical tension between the archaic Ghiscari traditions and the burgeoning Valyrian-inspired hegemony. The insurgency of the Sons of the Harpy within Meereen serves as a sophisticated exploration of asymmetric warfare and the psychological toll of occupation. In the broader scope of the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' mythos, Meereen is the site where the ideological aspirations of the 'Breaker of Chains' are tempered by the pragmatic, often brutal, necessities of maintaining order in a fractured society.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

meereen in 30 Seconds

Meereen is a major fictional city in George R. R. Martin's 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series, located in the Slaver's Bay region of Essos.
It is famous for its ancient Ghiscari architecture, particularly the 800-foot-tall Great Pyramid, and its history as a hub for the slave trade.
The city serves as the primary setting for Daenerys Targaryen's arc as she transitions from a conqueror to a ruling queen facing internal insurgency.
In literary circles, it is often associated with the 'Meereenese Knot,' representing the complex narrative challenges of merging multiple character storylines.

Meereen represents the pinnacle of the ancient Ghiscari civilization's architectural and cultural legacy, albeit one built upon the brutal foundation of human bondage. In the context of George R. R. Martin's epic fantasy, it is the largest of the three great Slaver Cities of Slaver's Bay, standing as a titan of stone, bronze, and brick. When people use the word Meereen, they are almost exclusively referring to this specific fictional setting, often in discussions regarding the narrative arc of Daenerys Targaryen. The city is characterized by its massive Great Pyramid, which stands eight hundred feet tall, and its multicolored brick walls. It serves as a central hub for the 'Slaver's Bay' plotline, representing the complexities of abolition, governance, and the clash of cultures between the dragon-led conquerors and the entrenched local aristocracy known as the Great Masters. To speak of Meereen is to speak of a political quagmire, a place where idealism meets the harsh reality of ancient traditions and economic systems that resist change with violent fervor.

Geographical Context: Meereen is situated at the mouth of the Skahazadhan River, providing it with a strategic advantage for trade and defense within the arid landscape of Essos.

The city of meereen was a hive of multicolored bricks and towering pyramids that dominated the horizon of Slaver's Bay.

In literary analysis, Meereen is often used to describe the 'Meereenese Knot,' a term coined by Martin himself to describe the complex narrative challenges he faced in bringing various characters and plotlines together in this specific location. This has made the word a staple in discussions about writing process and narrative structure. Beyond the books, the name evokes the visual splendor of the television adaptation, where the city's Mediterranean and Near Eastern influences were brought to life through CGI and filming locations in Croatia and Spain. It is a word that carries the weight of history, the heat of the desert, and the scent of pit-roasted meats and sea salt. For fans, it is synonymous with the 'Breaker of Chains' and the difficult transition from a conqueror to a queen who must actually rule a resistant population.

Architectural Symbolism: The Great Pyramid of Meereen is not just a residence; it is a symbol of the absolute power once held by the slave-owning elite, later repurposed by Daenerys.

As the sun set, the bronze harpy atop the Great Pyramid of meereen seemed to glow with a malevolent fire.

Culturally, Meereen serves as a reflection of real-world historical empires, blending elements of Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Roman Empire. Its use in conversation usually signals a deep dive into the lore of 'A Song of Ice and Fire' or a metaphorical discussion about the difficulties of regime change. When a reader mentions Meereen, they are often preparing to discuss the Sons of the Harpy, the insurgency that plagued the city after its conquest. The name itself has a melodic, almost exotic quality, designed to sound ancient and foreign to the ears of Westerosi characters and English-speaking readers alike. It is a place of luxury for the few and misery for the many, a dichotomy that defines its role in the story.

The fighting pits of meereen were reopened to appease the local nobility, much to the Queen's chagrin.

Political Instability: The term 'Meereenese' refers to the people, language, and customs of the city, often associated with stubbornness and tradition.

Tyrion Lannister found himself playing a dangerous game of politics within the walls of meereen.

The conquest of meereen was only the beginning of Daenerys's struggle to rule Essos.

Using the word Meereen correctly requires an understanding of its status as a proper noun representing a specific location. In most sentences, it functions as the object of a preposition (in Meereen, to Meereen, from Meereen) or as the subject of a sentence describing its state or actions. Because it is a fictional city, it is almost always used in the context of literary or media discussion. For example, one might say, 'The political climate in Meereen was far more complex than Daenerys had anticipated.' Here, Meereen acts as the setting that dictates the complexity of the situation. It is also common to use it as an adjective in the form 'Meereenese' to describe things originating from the city, such as 'Meereenese culture' or 'Meereenese politics.'

Subject Usage: Meereen stands as the last bastion of the ancient Ghiscari Empire's glory.

When the dragons flew over meereen, the citizens knew their world had changed forever.

When constructing sentences about Meereen, it is helpful to include descriptive details that ground the fictional location. Phrases like 'the sun-drenched streets of Meereen' or 'the shadow of the Great Pyramid of Meereen' help evoke the specific atmosphere Martin created. It is also frequently used in comparative sentences, contrasting the city with other locations in the series. 'Unlike the cold, damp halls of Winterfell, Meereen was a place of oppressive heat and vibrant color.' This usage highlights the stark geographical and cultural differences between the continents of Westeros and Essos. Furthermore, the word is often linked to the concept of 'ruling,' as the 'Meereenese arc' is fundamentally about the challenges of leadership.

Prepositional Usage: The journey from Astapor to Meereen was marked by the grim sight of crucified slaves.

The Sons of the Harpy waged a shadow war against the invaders in meereen.

In more academic or critical writing, Meereen might be used to discuss themes of post-colonialism or the 'white savior' trope. A sentence might read: 'The narrative of Meereen serves as a critique of external intervention in established cultural systems.' In this case, the word stands in for the entire socio-political experiment depicted in the books. It can also be used in the possessive form: 'Meereen's fate hung in the balance as the Yunkai'i army approached.' This attributes agency or a collective destiny to the city itself. Whether used in casual fan discussion or formal literary critique, the word always points back to the specific, richly detailed world of Essos.

Trade in meereen ground to a halt after the abolition of slavery.

Comparative Usage: Meereen is far more populous and fortified than its sister cities, Astapor and Yunkai.

The Great Masters of meereen were unwilling to give up their ancient privileges.

The siege of meereen brought famine and disease to the city's doorstep.

The word Meereen is most commonly heard in the context of popular culture, specifically among fans of the 'Game of Thrones' television series and the 'A Song of Ice and Fire' books. You will hear it in podcasts dedicated to fantasy literature, in YouTube video essays analyzing the themes of the series, and in casual conversations between friends who are catching up on the show. Because the series became a global phenomenon, the name Meereen has entered the lexicon of millions of people, even those who may not be avid fantasy readers. It is often mentioned alongside other iconic locations like King's Landing or Winterfell, serving as a shorthand for the 'Essos' portion of the story. In these contexts, the word is usually pronounced with a long 'ee' sound (muh-REEN), though variations exist depending on regional accents.

In academic circles, particularly those focusing on media studies or contemporary literature, Meereen might be discussed in the context of 'world-building.' Professors and students might analyze how Martin used Meereen to explore the difficulties of transitioning from a war-time leader to a peace-time administrator. You might also hear the word in discussions about the filming of 'Game of Thrones.' For instance, travel documentaries or articles about tourism in Croatia (specifically Split and the Klis Fortress) often mention that these locations served as the real-world stand-ins for Meereen. This has led to a 'Meereen effect' in local tourism, where fans travel to see the 'real' city. Thus, the word is heard in travel agencies and on guided tours in the Mediterranean region.

Furthermore, the word appears in gaming communities. Players of the 'Game of Thrones' tabletop RPG, the various card games, or the video games (such as the Telltale series) will frequently use Meereen as a strategic point on the map. In these settings, the word is used with a focus on its tactical importance—its defenses, its resources, and its political alliances. You might hear a player say, 'I'm moving my fleet to Meereen to support the Queen's claim.' This usage is very practical and grounded in the mechanics of the game. Lastly, the word is a staple of fan fiction and online role-playing communities, where writers create new stories set within the city's walls, further cementing its place in the digital landscape of the 21st century.

One of the most frequent mistakes people make with the word Meereen is misspelling it. The double 'e' in the middle and the double 'e' at the end can be confusing for those who have only heard the word spoken. Common misspellings include 'Mereen,' 'Meeren,' or 'Meryn' (which is actually the name of a character, Meryn Trant). It is important to remember the 'ee-ee' structure: M-e-e-r-e-e-n. Another common error is confusing Meereen with its sister cities, Astapor and Yunkai. While all three are part of Slaver's Bay, Meereen is distinct because of its Great Pyramid and the fact that Daenerys chooses to stay and rule there, whereas she merely conquered the other two and moved on. Using 'Meereen' when you actually mean 'Astapor' (where she got the Unsullied) is a common plot-related mistake.

In terms of pronunciation, some speakers place the stress on the first syllable (MEE-reen), but the standard pronunciation used in the television show and by the author places the stress on the second syllable (muh-REEN). While this isn't a 'mistake' in the traditional sense, using the standard pronunciation helps in being understood by other fans. Another grammatical mistake is failing to capitalize the word. As a proper noun for a specific city, it must always start with an uppercase 'M.' Some writers also struggle with the adjectival form, 'Meereenese.' They might try to say 'Meereenish' or 'Meereenic,' neither of which is the established term in the source material. Sticking to 'Meereenese' ensures consistency with the lore.

Finally, there is a conceptual mistake often made by casual viewers: assuming Meereen is in Westeros. Because so much of the show takes place in Westeros, it's easy to lose track of the geography. However, Meereen is in Essos, a completely different continent. Confusing the two can lead to misunderstandings about the distance characters must travel and the cultural differences between the 'East' and 'West' in the series. When writing or speaking about the city, it is always best to keep its specific Essosi identity in mind to avoid these common pitfalls.

When looking for words similar to Meereen, one must look at other fictional cities within the same universe or real-world cities that share its characteristics. Within 'A Song of Ice and Fire,' the most direct alternatives are Astapor and Yunkai. These are also Ghiscari cities in Slaver's Bay with similar cultures and histories of slavery. However, Meereen is the largest and most architecturally distinct. Another alternative is Old Ghis, the ancient, ruined capital of the empire that Meereen once belonged to. While Meereen is a living city, Old Ghis represents its historical roots and the lost glory of the Ghiscari people. If you are looking for a word to describe a large, desert-based city in fantasy, Qarth is another option, though it is much more focused on trade and mysticism than Meereen's focus on slavery and pyramids.

Meereen vs. Astapor: Meereen is the seat of Daenerys's kingdom; Astapor is the Red City known for training the Unsullied soldiers.

Meereen vs. King's Landing: Meereen is a city of pyramids and heat in Essos; King's Landing is the capital of Westeros, characterized by European-style castles and temperate weather.

In a broader literary sense, Meereen can be compared to historical cities like Babylon or Thebes. Like Babylon, Meereen is a city of immense architectural wonder and ancient, sometimes cruel, traditions. Like Thebes, it is a center of power in a desert landscape, dominated by monumental structures. If you are writing a story and want to evoke the 'feeling' of Meereen without using the copyrighted name, you might use terms like 'The Gilded Necropolis,' 'The City of Pyramids,' or 'The Slaver's Jewel.' These alternatives capture the essence of the city—its wealth, its architecture, and its dark history—without being tied to a specific franchise. However, for fans of Martin's work, there is no true substitute for the specific political and cultural weight that the name Meereen carries.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"The administrative challenges presented by the city of Meereen were substantial."

Neutral

"Meereen is a large city in the continent of Essos."

Informal

"Man, the Meereen plot in the books takes forever!"

Child friendly

"Meereen is a pretend city with giant triangle houses called pyramids."

Slang

"She's totally pulling a Meereen and getting stuck in her own drama."

Fun Fact

The 'Meereenese Knot' became a famous term among fans to describe the 11-year gap between books as Martin struggled with the Meereen plot.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /mɪəˈriːn/

US /mɪˈrin/

Second syllable (mee-REEN)

Rhymes With

Green Spleen Machine Serene Marine Between Fourteen Unseen

Common Errors

Pronouncing it as MEE-reen (stress on the first syllable).
Pronouncing it as MAY-reen.
Confusing the 'ee' sounds with a short 'e' like 'mer-en'.
Adding an extra syllable like 'mee-ree-en'.
Mumbling the 'r' so it sounds like 'mee-een'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to read but requires context of the series.

Writing 4/5

Spelling the double 'ee's correctly can be tricky.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is straightforward once learned.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound makes it easy to identify.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

City Pyramid Queen Slavery Fantasy

Learn Next

Essos Westeros Valyrian Insurrection Governance

Advanced

Post-colonialism Asymmetric warfare Narrative structure Orientalism City-state

Grammar to Know

Proper Nouns for Locations

Meereen is always capitalized.

Adjective Formation for Places

Adding '-ese' to form 'Meereenese'.

Prepositions of Place

Using 'in' for being inside the city and 'to' for traveling toward it.

Possessive Proper Nouns

Meereen's walls (adding 's).

Articles with Proper Nouns

No article before Meereen, but 'the' before 'Great Pyramid'.

Examples by Level

Meereen is a big city.

Meereen est une grande ville.

Proper noun used as a subject.

The Queen lives in Meereen.

La reine vit à Meereen.

Preposition 'in' used with a location.

Meereen has many pyramids.

Meereen a beaucoup de pyramides.

Simple present tense.

Is Meereen hot?

Est-ce que Meereen est chaude ?

Question form with 'to be'.

I see Meereen on the map.

Je vois Meereen sur la carte.

Direct object of the verb 'see'.

Meereen is in the story.

Meereen est dans l'histoire.

Simple state of being.

The dragons fly to Meereen.

Les dragons volent vers Meereen.

Preposition 'to' showing direction.

Meereen is beautiful.

Meereen est belle.

Adjective describing a proper noun.

Daenerys went to Meereen to free the slaves.

Daenerys est allée à Meereen pour libérer les esclaves.

Infinitive of purpose 'to free'.

The walls of Meereen are made of colored bricks.

Les murs de Meereen sont faits de briques colorées.

Passive voice 'are made of'.

Many people live in the city of Meereen.

Beaucoup de gens vivent dans la ville de Meereen.

Noun phrase 'the city of Meereen'.

She stayed in Meereen for a long time.

Elle est restée à Meereen pendant longtemps.

Past simple tense.

Meereen is the largest city in Slaver's Bay.

Meereen est la plus grande ville de la Baie des Serfs.

Superlative adjective 'largest'.

You can see the Great Pyramid in Meereen.

On peut voir la Grande Pyramide à Meereen.

Modal verb 'can' for possibility.

The people of Meereen were afraid of the dragons.

Les gens de Meereen avaient peur des dragons.

Adjective phrase 'afraid of'.

Meereen has a long and dark history.

Meereen a une histoire longue et sombre.

Compound adjectives 'long and dark'.

Ruling Meereen proved to be more difficult than conquering it.

Gouverner Meereen s'est avéré plus difficile que de la conquérir.

Gerund 'Ruling' as a subject.

The Sons of the Harpy caused trouble in Meereen.

Les Fils de la Harpie ont causé des problèmes à Meereen.

Past simple with a specific subject.

Meereenese culture is very different from the culture of Westeros.

La culture de Meereen est très différente de celle de Westeros.

Adjectival form 'Meereenese'.

While in Meereen, Daenerys learned how to be a queen.

Pendant son séjour à Meereen, Daenerys a appris à être reine.

Reduced adverbial clause 'While in Meereen'.

The fighting pits of Meereen were closed by the new Queen.

Les arènes de Meereen ont été fermées par la nouvelle reine.

Passive voice in the past tense.

Meereen sits at the mouth of a large river.

Meereen se situe à l'embouchure d'un grand fleuve.

Present simple for geographical facts.

Trade was the main source of wealth for Meereen.

Le commerce était la principale source de richesse pour Meereen.

Noun phrase 'source of wealth'.

If you visit Meereen, you will see the Great Pyramid.

Si vous visitez Meereen, vous verrez la Grande Pyramide.

First conditional.

The political instability in Meereen led to a violent uprising.

L'instabilité politique à Meereen a conduit à un soulèvement violent.

Abstract noun 'instability' as subject.

Meereen's economy collapsed after the abolition of the slave trade.

L'économie de Meereen s'est effondrée après l'abolition de la traite des esclaves.

Possessive form 'Meereen's'.

The Great Masters of Meereen conspired against the dragon queen.

Les Grands Maîtres de Meereen ont conspiré contre la reine des dragons.

Verb 'conspired' followed by 'against'.

Meereen is often cited as an example of the 'white savior' trope in literature.

Meereen est souvent citée comme exemple du trope du 'sauveur blanc' en littérature.

Present simple passive with 'often cited as'.

The architecture of Meereen reflects its ancient Ghiscari roots.

L'architecture de Meereen reflète ses anciennes racines ghiscari.

Active verb 'reflects' with an abstract object.

Despite the danger, Tyrion Lannister decided to travel to Meereen.

Malgré le danger, Tyrion Lannister a décidé de se rendre à Meereen.

Concessive phrase 'Despite the danger'.

The siege of Meereen lasted for several months, causing great suffering.

Le siège de Meereen a duré plusieurs mois, causant de grandes souffrances.

Participle clause 'causing great suffering'.

Meereenese politics are characterized by betrayal and shifting alliances.

La politique de Meereen est caractérisée par la trahison et les alliances changeantes.

Plural verb 'are' with 'politics'.

The narrative complexity of the Meereenese arc is often referred to as the 'Meereenese Knot'.

La complexité narrative de l'arc de Meereen est souvent appelée le 'Nœud Meereenien'.

Complex passive construction.

Martin uses Meereen to explore the ethical dilemmas of regime change and cultural imperialism.

Martin utilise Meereen pour explorer les dilemmes éthiques du changement de régime et de l'impérialisme culturel.

Infinitive of purpose with abstract nouns.

The atmospheric descriptions of Meereen evoke a sense of ancient, decaying grandeur.

Les descriptions atmosphériques de Meereen évoquent un sentiment de grandeur ancienne et décadente.

Subject-verb agreement with 'descriptions'.

Meereen's social hierarchy was fundamentally disrupted by the arrival of Daenerys.

La hiérarchie sociale de Meereen a été fondamentalement perturbée par l'arrivée de Daenerys.

Adverb 'fundamentally' modifying a passive verb.

The insurgent tactics employed by the Sons of the Harpy in Meereen mirror real-world guerrilla warfare.

Les tactiques insurgées employées par les Fils de la Harpie à Meereen reflètent la guérilla du monde réel.

Reduced relative clause 'employed by'.

Critically speaking, Meereen serves as a locus for the convergence of disparate plot threads.

D'un point de vue critique, Meereen sert de lieu de convergence pour des fils narratifs disparates.

Sentence adverb 'Critically speaking'.

The linguistic nuances of the Meereenese dialect add a layer of authenticity to the world-building.

Les nuances linguistiques du dialecte de Meereen ajoutent une couche d'authenticité à la construction du monde.

Complex noun phrase as subject.

Meereen's resilience against external influence is a recurring theme in the later books.

La résilience de Meereen face à l'influence extérieure est un thème récurrent dans les derniers livres.

Prepositional phrase 'against external influence'.

The ontological status of Meereen as a fictional construct does not diminish its cultural impact.

Le statut ontologique de Meereen en tant que construction fictionnelle ne diminue pas son impact culturel.

Formal academic register.

By situating the climax of the Essosi narrative in Meereen, Martin underscores the futility of absolute moralism.

En situant le point culminant du récit essosi à Meereen, Martin souligne la futilité du moralisme absolu.

Gerund phrase 'By situating' for means/method.

Meereen's multifaceted identity—as a former slaver hub and a nascent revolutionary center—creates a palpable tension.

L'identité multiforme de Meereen—en tant qu'ancien centre esclavagiste et centre révolutionnaire naissant—crée une tension palpable.

Use of em-dashes for parenthetical information.

The intricate web of espionage and counter-espionage within Meereen necessitates a nuanced reading of the text.

Le réseau complexe d'espionnage et de contre-espionnage au sein de Meereen nécessite une lecture nuancée du texte.

Subjunctive-adjacent formal verb 'necessitates'.

The 'Meereenese Knot' is emblematic of the challenges inherent in managing expansive, non-linear narratives.

Le 'Nœud Meereenien' est emblématique des défis inhérents à la gestion de récits expansifs et non linéaires.

Adjective 'emblematic' followed by 'of'.

Meereen's architectural grandiosity serves as a stark juxtaposition to the visceral squalor of its lower districts.

La grandiosité architecturale de Meereen sert de juxtaposition frappante à la misère viscérale de ses quartiers inférieurs.

Noun 'juxtaposition' used with 'to'.

The eventual dissolution of the Meereenese social order is portrayed as both inevitable and tragic.

La dissolution finale de l'ordre social de Meereen est dépeinte comme à la fois inévitable et tragique.

Correlative conjunction 'both... and'.

Scholars often analyze Meereen through the prism of post-colonial theory, examining the dynamics of the 'other'.

Les chercheurs analysent souvent Meereen à travers le prisme de la théorie post-coloniale, examinant la dynamique de 'l'autre'.

Present participle phrase 'examining the dynamics'.

Common Collocations

Great Pyramid of Meereen

Sons of the Harpy in Meereen

Meereenese fighting pits

The siege of Meereen

Conquer Meereen

Meereenese nobility

The walls of Meereen

Trade with Meereen

Meereenese dialect

The Meereenese Knot

Common Phrases

In the shadow of Meereen

— Being under the influence or threat of the city.

The smaller villages lived in the shadow of Meereen.

The gates of Meereen

— The entrance to the city, often a site of conflict.

The army gathered at the gates of Meereen.

The streets of Meereen

— The public areas where the common people and insurgents mingle.

Danger lurked in the narrow streets of Meereen.

From Meereen to Westeros

— The long journey across the sea to the other continent.

The path from Meereen to Westeros was fraught with peril.

The laws of Meereen

— The traditional or new legal systems of the city.

The Queen sought to change the ancient laws of Meereen.

Meereen's bloody history

— The violent past of the city regarding slavery and war.

One cannot ignore Meereen's bloody history.

The heart of Meereen

— The central part of the city, usually the Great Pyramid.

The rebellion struck at the very heart of Meereen.

A Meereenese welcome

— A potentially hostile or complicated reception.

The visitors received a cold Meereenese welcome.

The masters of Meereen

— The elite class that previously controlled the city.

The masters of Meereen plotted their return to power.

Beyond the walls of Meereen

— The surrounding desert or the world outside the city's control.

Few dared to venture far beyond the walls of Meereen.

Often Confused With

meereen vs Astapor

Another slaver city, but smaller and known for the Unsullied.

meereen vs Yunkai

The third slaver city, known for its 'Yellow City' nickname.

meereen vs Meryn

A character name (Meryn Trant) that sounds slightly similar but is unrelated.

Idioms & Expressions

"Untying the Meereenese Knot"

— Solving an incredibly complex problem with many moving parts.

The manager spent months untying the Meereenese knot of the company's finances.

Literary/Metaphorical

"As stubborn as a Meereenese Master"

— Extremely resistant to change or new ideas.

He's as stubborn as a Meereenese master when it comes to his routine.

Informal

"A pyramid of problems"

— A situation where issues are stacked on top of each other.

The new project turned into a pyramid of problems, much like Meereen.

Creative

"To play the Harpy"

— To act in a deceptive or treacherous manner from the shadows.

She suspected her rival was playing the Harpy in the office politics.

Informal

"Bricks of many colors"

— A situation that looks beautiful but is built on something dark.

Their success was built on bricks of many colors, hiding the truth.

Metaphorical

"The dragon in the pyramid"

— A powerful force trapped in a restrictive or traditional environment.

The innovative CEO felt like the dragon in the pyramid at the old firm.

Literary

"Sailing to Meereen"

— Embarking on a long, difficult journey with an uncertain outcome.

Starting this business is like sailing to Meereen; it's a long way to go.

Informal

"The pit is open"

— A situation where violence or conflict is now permitted.

Once the rumors started, the pit was open and the arguments began.

Slang

"To wear the Tokar"

— To adopt the complicated and restrictive customs of a new place.

He had to learn to wear the tokar of corporate life very quickly.

Metaphorical

"The Pale Mare is coming"

— A warning that disaster or disease is approaching.

With the budget cuts, everyone felt the Pale Mare was coming for their jobs.

Slang

Easily Confused

meereen vs Mereen

Misspelling

This is a common misspelling; the correct version has two 'e's in both positions.

Correct: Meereen. Incorrect: Mereen.

meereen vs Marine

Phonetic similarity

Marine refers to the sea or a soldier; Meereen is a city name.

The marine traveled to Meereen.

meereen vs Meeren

Misspelling

Another common misspelling; it lacks the final 'e'.

He wrote Meeren instead of Meereen.

meereen vs Qarth

Geographical proximity

Qarth is a different Essosi city further to the east, known for its 'Pureborn' rulers.

Daenerys went to Qarth before she went to Meereen.

meereen vs Ghis

Historical connection

Ghis (or Old Ghis) is the ancient empire; Meereen is a modern city within that cultural sphere.

Meereen was built on the ruins of the Ghiscari culture.

Sentence Patterns

Meereen is [Adjective].

Meereen is big.

I want to go to Meereen.

I want to go to Meereen to see the dragons.

The [Noun] of Meereen is [Adjective].

The history of Meereen is very old.

Meereen is known for [Gerund/Noun].

Meereen is known for having giant pyramids.

Despite its [Noun], Meereen remains [Adjective].

Despite its violent past, Meereen remains a beautiful city.

The [Noun] within Meereen underscores the [Abstract Noun].

The insurgency within Meereen underscores the fragility of the new peace.

If Daenerys leaves Meereen, [Clause].

If Daenerys leaves Meereen, the city might fall back into chaos.

It was in Meereen that [Clause].

It was in Meereen that the Queen first faced a real rebellion.

Word Family

Nouns

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common within fantasy and pop-culture contexts; rare in general conversation.

Common Mistakes

Writing 'Mereen' → Meereen
The most common spelling error is omitting one of the 'e's.
Pronouncing it 'MEE-reen' → muh-REEN
Putting the stress on the first syllable is a common mispronunciation.
Confusing Meereen with Qarth → Meereen
Both are in Essos, but Meereen is the city of pyramids and Qarth is the city of the Pureborn.
Using 'Meereenish' → Meereenese
The standard adjectival form in the books and show is 'Meereenese'.
Thinking Meereen is the capital of Westeros → King's Landing
Meereen is in Essos; King's Landing is the capital of Westeros.

Tips

The Double-Double Rule

Remember that Meereen has two 'e's in the first part and two 'e's in the second part. M-EE-R-EE-N.

Stress the End

Always put the emphasis on the second syllable: muh-REEN. This is how it's pronounced in the official media.

Think Pyramids

If you're reading and see 'pyramids' in Essos, you're almost certainly reading about Meereen.

Use the Adjective

Don't forget the word 'Meereenese' for describing people, food, or customs from the city.

East, not West

Always place Meereen in Essos. It's a key part of the 'Eastern' world in the series.

The Skahazadhan

Impress other fans by knowing the name of the river Meereen sits on: the Skahazadhan.

Capitalization

Since it's a specific place, always capitalize the 'M' in Meereen.

Vivid Descriptions

Use colors! Meereen is famous for its multicolored bricks (yellow, green, blue, etc.).

The Knot

Mention the 'Meereenese Knot' when discussing why the later books took so long to write.

Contrast with Westeros

Use Meereen as a foil to cities like King's Landing to show the diversity of Martin's world.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Meer' (mirror) reflecting a 'Reen' (green) pyramid. Meereen is the city of pyramids.

Visual Association

Imagine a giant golden Harpy statue sitting on top of a massive stone pyramid under a burning sun.

Word Web

Pyramid Slavery Daenerys Dragons Essos Harpy Desert Bricks

Challenge

Try to describe the city of Meereen to a friend using only five adjectives.

Word Origin

The name was created by George R. R. Martin for his book series. It is designed to sound ancient and evocative of Near Eastern civilizations.

Original meaning: In the fictional world, it likely has roots in the Old Ghiscari language, though the specific meaning is not explicitly defined in the text.

Fictional (Ghiscari/Valyrian influence)

Cultural Context

The city's history of slavery is a central, sensitive theme in the narrative.

Widely recognized by fans of HBO's 'Game of Thrones'.

The Great Pyramid of Meereen The Meereenese Knot (literary term) The Sons of the Harpy insurgency

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Book Discussion

The Meereenese Knot
Daenerys's stay in Meereen
The Ghiscari influence
The ending of the Meereen arc

TV Show Review

The CGI for Meereen
Filming locations for Meereen
The fighting pits scene
Drogon in Meereen

Travel (Fictional/Fan)

Visiting the Great Pyramid
The heat of Meereen
The colored bricks
The Skahazadhan River

Gaming

Capturing Meereen
The defenses of Meereen
Meereenese units
Meereenese trade routes

Creative Writing

Inspired by Meereen
A Meereen-like setting
The atmosphere of Meereen
Meereenese-style architecture

Conversation Starters

"What do you think was the biggest mistake Daenerys made while ruling Meereen?"

"Do you prefer the book version of Meereen or the TV show version?"

"How would you describe the architecture of Meereen to someone who hasn't seen it?"

"Do you think the 'Meereenese Knot' was actually solved in the books?"

"If you had to live in Meereen, which pyramid would you choose to stay in?"

Journal Prompts

Imagine you are a citizen of Meereen on the day the dragons first arrived. Describe your feelings and what you saw.

Write a letter from a Meereenese merchant to a cousin in Qarth about the changes in the city after the abolition of slavery.

Compare the city of Meereen to a real-world historical city. What are the similarities and differences?

Reflect on the theme of 'ruling vs. conquering' as seen through the lens of the Meereenese plotline.

Describe the Great Pyramid of Meereen using all five senses.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, Meereen is a fictional city created by George R. R. Martin for his 'A Song of Ice and Fire' book series and the 'Game of Thrones' TV show.

The scenes for Meereen were primarily filmed in Croatia, specifically at the Klis Fortress and the Diocletian's Palace in Split, as well as some locations in Spain.

It is a term used by the author to describe the difficulty he had in organizing the timelines of several characters so they would all arrive in Meereen at the right moment.

The Harpy is the ancient symbol of the Ghiscari Empire and Meereen. It represents their history, power, and the traditionalist resistance against Daenerys.

She decided to stay to learn how to rule as a queen and to ensure that the abolition of slavery would be permanent, rather than just moving on to Westeros.

The Great Pyramid is the largest structure in Meereen, standing 800 feet tall. It serves as the seat of power and the residence of the city's ruler.

The people of Meereen speak a dialect of Low Valyrian that is heavily influenced by the ancient Ghiscari language.

The fighting pits are large arenas in Meereen where gladiators (often slaves) fought to the death for public entertainment. They are a central point of cultural conflict in the story.

They are an underground insurgent group in Meereen composed of former slave masters and their supporters who oppose Daenerys's rule.

No, Meereen is located on the continent of Essos, which is to the east of Westeros across the Narrow Sea.