Asian in different languages

Asian in Different Languages

Discover 'Asian' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

The term 'Asian' is a broad one, encompassing a vast and diverse array of cultures, languages, and histories. Spanning from the Middle East to the Pacific Islands, the continent of Asia is the world's largest and most populous, making 'Asian' a term of great significance and cultural importance.

For those with an interest in language and culture, understanding the translation of 'Asian' in different languages can provide valuable insights into the diverse perspectives and identities that make up this vast continent. For example, in Mandarin Chinese, 'Asian' is translated as '亞洲' (Yàzhōu), while in Hindi it is 'एशिया' (Eshiya). In Japanese, it is 'アジア' (Ajia), and in Arabic, it is 'آسيا' (Asiyā').

Delving into the translations of 'Asian' also reveals fascinating historical contexts and cultural nuances. For instance, in some languages, the term may have colonial or imperialist connotations, reflecting the complex and often fraught history of Western engagement with Asia.

So, whether you're a language enthusiast, a cultural scholar, or simply someone with a curiosity about the world, exploring the translations of 'Asian' is a rewarding and enlightening journey. Here are some translations to get you started:

Asian


Asian in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansasiatiese
The word "Asiatiese" can also refer to a spicy meat curry, similar to "bredie", in South African cuisine.
Amharicእስያዊ
The word "እስያዊ" can also mean "oriental" or "exotic" in Amharic.
Hausaasiya
Hausa 'Asiya' also refers to a type of local fabric traditionally worn by women.
Igboonye asia
The Igbo word "Onye Asia" can also refer to someone from the southeastern part of Nigeria.
Malagasyazia
In Malagasy, "azia" can refer to a continent, a people, or a language.
Nyanja (Chichewa)chaku asia
The Nyanja word "Chaku Asia" can also refer to someone who is wealthy or sophisticated.
Shonaasia
In Shona, the word "Asia" (or "Asian") can refer to both the continent and its people.
Somaliaasiyaan
In the Somali language, the term "Aasiyaan" also refers to the "eastern part of a village or town". It shares its root with the Arabic word "Ashiya", meaning "nest or dwelling".
Sesothoseasia
The word "Seasia" in Sesotho also refers to a kind of beer made from sorghum.
Swahilikiasia
The Swahili word 'Kiasia' likely derives from Persian or Arabic 'Asia', and is used more broadly to refer to the Middle East, Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia.
Xhosaeasia
EAsia is derived from the word for "light-skinned people" in Xhosa, "i-Asia"
Yorubaara esia
It is a Yoruba term that also refers to people from the Middle East and sometimes, the Americas
Zuluokwase-asia
The term "Okwase-Asia" in Zulu may also refer to individuals with fair skin or of mixed race.
Bambaraazi jamanaw
Eweasiatɔwo ƒe ŋkɔ
Kinyarwandaaziya
Lingalamoto ya azia
Lugandaomu asia
Sepedimo-asia
Twi (Akan)asiafo

Asian in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicآسيا
The word "آسيا" can also mean "wide" or "extensive" in Arabic.
Hebrewאסייתי
אסייתי" מקורו ביוונית עתיקה Asia, המתייחסת לאזור של אסיה הקטנה (כיום טורקיה), ומשמש גם לתיאור אנשים בעלי מראה מזרחי.
Pashtoاسیایی
Arabicآسيا
The word "آسيا" can also mean "wide" or "extensive" in Arabic.

Asian in Western European Languages

Albanianaziatike
The word "Aziatike" in Albanian derives from the Latin word "Asiaticus" and is used to refer to the continent of Asia or people from Asia.
Basqueasiarra
The Basque word Asiarra is said to originally mean 'stranger' or 'foreigner'.
Catalanasiàtic
In Catalan, "Asiàtic" means both "Asian" and "of or related to donkeys".
Croatianazijski
The Croatian word "azijski" can be translated as "Asian", but it shares an etymology with "Azijac" meaning "a gypsy".
Danishasiatisk
The Danish word "asiatisk" can also refer to "exotic" or "refined".
Dutchaziatisch
The word "Aziatisch" can also refer to people from the Middle East or North Africa in Dutch.
Englishasian
The term "Asian" was originally used to describe people from Western Asia, but it has since come to encompass people from all of Asia.
Frenchasiatique
The word « asiatique » in French can also mean « ostentatious » or « of low quality ».
Frisianaziatysk
It also means 'very large' or 'very strong'.
Galicianasiática
Germanasiatisch
"Asiatisch" in German can also mean "affected", "over the top", or "kitschy."
Icelandicasískur
The word "Asískur" is also used to refer to people from any Asian country, and is not necessarily limited to people from the continent of Asia.
Irisháiseach
The Irish Áiseach derives from the Persian 'Ās' ('East'), indicating its broader meaning as 'Eastern'.
Italianasiatico
The word "asiatico" in Italian can also refer to a type of pasta.
Luxembourgishasiatesch
Asiat is used as a synonym of 'Chinaman', but also of 'foreigner', 'outsider' or 'someone who is odd'.
Malteseasjatiċi
The word "Asjatiċi" in Maltese originates from the French "Asiatique" meaning "of or from Asia," and is cognate with the English "Asiatic."
Norwegianasiatisk
I norsk er ordet "asiatisk" også brukt for å beskrive noe som er eksotisk eller fremmedartet.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)asiática
The word "Asiática" in Portuguese can also refer to a type of ceramic tile used in traditional Portuguese architecture.
Scots Gaelicàisianach
The Scots Gaelic word "Àisianach" also refers to someone from Ash, a place in Surrey, England.
Spanishasiático
La palabra "asiático" en español proviene del latín "asiaticus" y originalmente se refería a la provincia romana de Asia, la cual incluía partes de Turquía, Grecia y Siria.
Swedishasiatiskt
"Asiatiskt" is the adjective form of "Asien" (Asia) and can refer to things or concepts related to Asia, including its culture, history, and people.
Welshasiaidd
The Welsh word 'Asiaidd' (Asian) is derived from the Greek word 'Asia', which originally referred to the region around the Aegean Sea.

Asian in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianазіяцкі
The word "азіяцкі" can also mean "Asiatic mode of production" in the context of Marxist theory.
Bosnianazijski
"Azijski" u bosanskom može značiti i "azijski duh" i "azijski način mišljenja i ponašanja"
Bulgarianазиатски
Азиатски also has the archaic meaning of ‘wealthy’.
Czechasijský
Slovo "asijský" má v češtině i další význam - sousedící, hraničící.
Estonianaasiapärane
"Aasiapärane" in Estonian can refer to both "Asian" and characteristics stereotypically associated with Asian peoples.
Finnishaasialainen
The word "aasialainen" can also refer to a type of bread in Finnish.
Hungarianázsiai
A "ázsiai" szó a perzsa "āsiyā" szóból ered, amely „keleti” vagy „napkeltekor fekvő” jelentésű.
Latvianaziātu
The Latvian word "Aziātu" (Asian) originally meant "Indian" but is now also used to refer to people from other parts of Asia.
Lithuanianazijietiškas
The word "Azijietiškas" can also mean "oriental" or "exotic" in Lithuanian.
Macedonianазиски
The term 'Азиски' ('Asian') originates from the ancient Greek 'Asie' or 'Ασία', referring to what is now Western Turkey or Anatolia.
Polishazjatyckie
In Polish, the word "Azjatyckie" can also refer to a group of languages spoken in the Caucasus and Siberia.
Romanianasiatic
In Romanian, "asiatic" means "Asian" and it can also refer to a type of large, domesticated donkey.
Russianазиатский
The word "Азиатский" ("Asian") in Russian also refers to the Asian continent and its inhabitants.
Serbianазијски
The word "Азијски" is often associated with people or culture from Asia, but it can also be used as an adjective for plants or animals native to the continent.
Slovakázijské
The word "Ázijské" can also refer to the geographical region of Asia or to someone from Asia.
Slovenianazijski
Beseda Azijski lahko pomeni tudi vzhodni ali orientalski.
Ukrainianазіатський
The word "Азіатський" ("Asian") in Ukrainian shares its root with the Greek word "Ἀσία" ("Asia"), denoting the geographic region.

Asian in South Asian Languages

Bengaliএশীয়
The word এশীয় "Asian" in Bengali is likely derived from the Persian word آ西亚 (Āsīyā), which itself comes from the Arabic word آسيا (Āsyā), meaning "the rising sun".
Gujaratiએશિયન
The word "એશિયન" ("Asian") is derived from the Greek word "Asia", which originally referred to a region in western Anatolia.
Hindiएशियाई
The word "एशियाई" originates from the Greek word "Ασία" (Asia), which originally referred to a region in modern-day Turkey.
Kannadaಏಷ್ಯನ್
The word 'ಏಷ್ಯನ್' ('Asian') is derived from the Greek word 'Asia' meaning 'the East'.
Malayalamഏഷ്യൻ
The word ഏഷ്യൻ, which means "Asian" in Malayalam, is derived from the Greek word "Ἀσία" (Asia), which originally referred to a region in western Anatolia (modern Turkey).
Marathiआशियाई
The word "आशियाई" ("Asian") in Marathi can also mean "oriental" or "of the East".
Nepaliएशियाई
The term "एशियाई" in Nepali can refer to both a person of Asian descent and a resident of the continent of Asia.
Punjabiਏਸ਼ੀਅਨ
Sinhala (Sinhalese)ආසියානු
In Sinhala, ආසියානු can also mean "Oriental" or "a person from the East."
Tamilஆசிய
The word "ஆசிய" (Asian) in Tamil derives from the Sanskrit word "Āsiya" which means "east".
Teluguఆసియా
"ఆసియా" also refers to the name of a continent in the East and is derived from the Greek word "Ἀσία"
Urduایشین
ایشین is derived from the Greek word

Asian in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)亚洲人
在中文中,“亚洲人”一词最初仅指生活在中亚的游牧民族,后来才逐渐扩展到指所有亚洲人。
Chinese (Traditional)亞洲人
「亞洲人」原指在中亞生活、以遊牧為生的民族,後漸引申指亞洲地區的居民。
Japaneseアジア人
Although originally coined to encompass all non-Japanese, "アジアン (Asian)" in modern Japanese often only refers to ethnic Koreans.
Korean아시아 사람
In Korean, "아시아 사람" ("Asian") can also refer to someone specifically from Southeast Asia, while "동양인" ("Oriental") refers to someone from East Asia.
Mongolianази
Ази (Azi) is also used to refer to the direction east
Myanmar (Burmese)အာရှတိုက်

Asian in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianasia
The word 'Asia' (or 'Asian') in Indonesian is also used to refer to the continent of Asia, or to the people of Asia.
Javanesewong asia
In Javanese, Wong asia means specifically "Chinese" or "Indian" people.
Khmerអាស៊ី
The word "អាស៊ី" is also used in Khmer to refer to the Indian subcontinent.
Laoອາຊີ
The Lao word "ອາຊີ" ("Asian") is derived from the Sanskrit word "Ārya", which means "noble" or "excellent".
Malayorang asia
In Malay "orang asia" also refer to someone who hails from a country, regardless of ethnicity.
Thaiเอเชีย
The Thai word "เอเชีย" (Asian) is derived from the Sanskrit word "आर्य" (ārya) meaning “honourable, noble”.
Vietnamesechâu á
The word "Châu Á" derives from the Chinese "Zhōuyà" (洲亞), which originally referred to Central Asia or the vast Asian continent.
Filipino (Tagalog)asyano

Asian in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniasiya
The word "Asiya" (Asian) in Azerbaijani also means "continent".
Kazakhазиялық
The Turkic word “Азиялық» can refer to an Asian or someone with physical Asian features
Kyrgyzазия
The word "Азия" in Kyrgyz also means "oriental" or "eastern".
Tajikосиё
The word "Осиё" ("Asian") in Tajik also refers to the continent of Asia.
Turkmenaziýaly
Uzbekosiyo
In Uzbek, "Osiyo" not only refers to Asians, but can also be an exclamation used as a greeting or to express surprise.
Uyghurasian

Asian in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianʻasia
ʻAsia is cognate with an archaic Polynesian word meaning east.
Maoriahia
The word "Ahia" in Maori also means "to sigh" or "to breathe heavily".
Samoanasia
Āsia is a Samoan word that also means "East" or "Eastern".
Tagalog (Filipino)asyano
The word 'Asyano' (Asian) is derived from the Sanskrit word 'asi' meaning 'dawn' or 'east'.

Asian in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaraasia tuqinkir jaqinaka
Guaraniasia-ygua

Asian in International Languages

Esperantoaziano
Latinasian
The Latin word "Asian" also means "belonging to Asia Minor, now Turkey".

Asian in Others Languages

Greekασιάτης
Originally used to refer to the inhabitants of Asia Minor, the term "ασιάτης" has since been expanded to encompass all peoples of the Asian continent.
Hmonghmoob
The word 'Hmoob' in Hmong can also refer to the White Hmong ethnic group, but its broader meaning is 'person' or 'human'.
Kurdishasyayî
The term 'asyayî' also refers to the peoples of the Indian subcontinent, especially to the Romani people.
Turkishasya
The word 'Asya' is derived from the ancient Greek word 'Asis,' referring to the rising sun or the east.
Xhosaeasia
EAsia is derived from the word for "light-skinned people" in Xhosa, "i-Asia"
Yiddishאַסיאַן
The word "אַסיאַן" in Yiddish can also refer to the Asian continent
Zuluokwase-asia
The term "Okwase-Asia" in Zulu may also refer to individuals with fair skin or of mixed race.
Assameseএছিয়ান
Aymaraasia tuqinkir jaqinaka
Bhojpuriएशियाई के बा
Dhivehiއޭޝިއަން...
Dogriएशियाई
Filipino (Tagalog)asyano
Guaraniasia-ygua
Ilocanoasiano
Krioeshian pipul dɛn
Kurdish (Sorani)ئاسیایی
Maithiliएशियाई
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯑꯦꯁꯤꯌꯥꯒꯤ ꯑꯣꯏꯕꯥ꯫
Mizoasian mi a ni
Oromolammii eeshiyaa
Odia (Oriya)ଏସୀୟ
Quechuaasiamanta
Sanskritएशियाई
Tatarазия
Tigrinyaኤስያዊ
Tsongaxi-asia

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