Updated on March 6, 2024
Achievement is a powerful word that represents the successful completion of a goal or endeavor. It's a concept that transcends cultures and languages, representing the hard work, determination, and perseverance that it takes to succeed. Throughout history, achievements have been celebrated and recognized as significant milestones in one's personal and professional life.
In many cultures, achievements are seen as a source of pride and honor, serving as a testament to an individual's abilities and work ethic. They are often recognized and rewarded in various ways, from formal ceremonies to personal accolades.
For those interested in language and culture, understanding the translation of achievement in different languages can provide valuable insights into how other cultures view and value success. For example, in Spanish, achievement is translated as 'logro,' while in French, it's 'réalisation.' In German, the word for achievement is 'Leistung,' and in Japanese, it's '成就 (seijou).'
By exploring the many translations of achievement, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the universal language of success and the many different ways it is celebrated around the world.
Afrikaans | prestasie | ||
The Dutch equivalent "prestatie" is also an alternate spelling of "prestation" which means a benefit given upon someone's request. | |||
Amharic | ስኬት | ||
The word "ስኬት" also means "to succeed" or "to accomplish something" in Amharic. | |||
Hausa | nasara | ||
The word "Nasara" can also refer to a person who has accomplished something great or a person who is successful. | |||
Igbo | mmeta | ||
In Igbo, the word "mmeta" can also refer to a "mark" or "grade" in a test or exam. | |||
Malagasy | zava-bitany | ||
The word "zava-bitany" can also mean "action" or "deed" in Malagasy. | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | kukwaniritsa | ||
The word 'kukwaniritsa' also means 'to finish' or 'to complete' in Nyanja. | |||
Shona | kubudirira | ||
"Kubudirira" is a concept of accomplishment, success, and triumph in Shona, and it relates to the idea of reaching a desired state or goal. | |||
Somali | guul | ||
The Somali word "guul" shares roots with the Arabic word "ghul" referring to a demon that steals children on the night of their birth. | |||
Sesotho | katleho | ||
The word "katleho" is derived from the verb "katla", meaning "to complete" or "to finish". | |||
Swahili | mafanikio | ||
The word "mafanikio" is derived from the Arabic word "falaaha" meaning "success" or "prosperity". | |||
Xhosa | impumelelo | ||
The Xhosa word 'impumelelo' also carries the connotation of 'success, victory, or triumph' | |||
Yoruba | aṣeyọri | ||
The Yoruba word "aṣeyọri" is derived from the root "ṣe" (to do, to make) and "ọrọ" (word, speech), implying an achievement that has been spoken about and brought into reality. | |||
Zulu | impumelelo | ||
In Zulu, "impumelelo" can also refer to the act of completing a task or project. | |||
Bambara | baarakɛlen | ||
Ewe | dzidzedzekpɔkpɔ | ||
Kinyarwanda | ibyagezweho | ||
Lingala | mosala | ||
Luganda | ebintu by'ofunye | ||
Sepedi | phihlelelo | ||
Twi (Akan) | deɛ woanya | ||
Arabic | إنجاز | ||
The Arabic word "إنجاز" carries a connotation of completion and accomplishment, often used in reference to personal triumphs or milestones. | |||
Hebrew | הֶשֵׂג | ||
The word "הֶשֵׂג" also means "attainment" and "acquisition" in Hebrew. | |||
Pashto | لاسته راوړنه | ||
Arabic | إنجاز | ||
The Arabic word "إنجاز" carries a connotation of completion and accomplishment, often used in reference to personal triumphs or milestones. |
Albanian | arritje | ||
"Arritje" also means "arrival" in Albanian, reflecting the idea that achievement is a destination or goal. | |||
Basque | lorpena | ||
'Lorpena' is the nominalized form of the Basque verb 'lor' ('to get'), and also means 'goal' or 'purpose,' especially in the context of sports. | |||
Catalan | èxit | ||
"Èxit" originates from the Latin word "exitus", which means both "departure" and "result". | |||
Croatian | postignuće | ||
The Croatian word 'postignuće' ('achievement') derives from the verb 'postići' ('to achieve'), which in turn originates from the Proto-Slavic word 'pъstigъnati' ('to attain', 'to reach'). Additionally, 'postignuće' can refer to the attainment of a higher rank or position, such as in the military or within an organization. | |||
Danish | præstation | ||
The word "præstation" also means "payment" or "performance" in Danish. | |||
Dutch | prestatie | ||
The word "prestatie" comes from the Latin "praestare", meaning "to perform" or "to fulfill". | |||
English | achievement | ||
"Achievement" comes from the Old French word "achieve" which meant something "to complete" or "to attain". | |||
French | réussite | ||
Réussite shares the same etymological root as ressusciter, meaning to revive or resurrect. | |||
Frisian | prestaasje | ||
The noun "prestaasje" also means "accomplishment" or "feat" in Frisian. | |||
Galician | logro | ||
The Galician word "logro" comes from the Latin word "lucrum", meaning "gain" or "profit". | |||
German | leistung | ||
The word 'Leistung' is derived from the Old High German word 'leisten', meaning 'to perform' or 'to accomplish'. | |||
Icelandic | afrek | ||
The Icelandic word "afrek" can also mean "offspring" or "fruit (of a plant)". | |||
Irish | éacht | ||
The Irish word 'éacht' can also refer to 'ability', 'power', or 'skill', and is thought to be derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₃ek- ('to have'). | |||
Italian | realizzazione | ||
As a noun, "realizzazione" can also mean "performance" or "production" in Italian | |||
Luxembourgish | leeschtung | ||
The Luxembourgish word "Leeschtung" also carries the meaning of "performance", as in the performance of a task or activity. | |||
Maltese | kisba | ||
"Kisba" is thought to have been introduced from either the Arabic "kasbah" (settlement) or the Berber "igbaz" (dwelling site). | |||
Norwegian | oppnåelse | ||
"Oppnåelse" is cognate with "obtainment," and in addition to achievements that you earn can also be used to talk about what you have learned. | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | realização | ||
The word "realização" comes from the Latin word "realis" and can also mean "fulfillment" or "reality". | |||
Scots Gaelic | coileanadh | ||
The word "coileanadh" is derived from the verb "coilean", meaning "to obtain" or "to acquire". | |||
Spanish | logro | ||
"Logro" derives from the Latin "locrum," meaning "gain" or "profit." | |||
Swedish | prestation | ||
Prestation can also mean 'compensation' and is used e.g. in the context of parental allowance ('föräldraprestation'). | |||
Welsh | cyflawniad | ||
The word 'cyflawniad' is also used to refer to a fulfilment or realization of a goal or purpose. |
Belarusian | дасягненне | ||
"Дасягненне" can also refer to a "result" or an "accomplishment" in Belarusian. | |||
Bosnian | postignuće | ||
The word "postignuće" derives from the verb "postići" (to achieve), with the suffix "-nje" indicating an accomplished action or state. | |||
Bulgarian | постижение | ||
The word "постижение" can also mean "comprehension" or "understanding". | |||
Czech | úspěch | ||
Úspěch is derived from the Old Slavic word uspěti, meaning "to succeed," and has a related form prospěch, meaning "progress" or "benefit." | |||
Estonian | saavutus | ||
The Estonian word "saavutus" (meaning "achievement") is likely derived from the verb "saada" (meaning "to get, acquire, achieve"). | |||
Finnish | saavutus | ||
"Saavutus" derives from "saada," meaning "receive," and "-utus," denoting "result." | |||
Hungarian | teljesítmény | ||
The word "teljesítmény" originates from the Hungarian word "teljes" (complete or entire) and refers to the completion of a task or the exertion of effort. | |||
Latvian | sasniegums | ||
The word "sasniegums" is derived from the verb "sasniegt," meaning "to reach" or "to attain," and is related to the noun "sniegs," meaning "snow." | |||
Lithuanian | pasiekimas | ||
The word "pasiekimas" is derived from the verb "pasiekti," which means "to reach," or "to achieve." | |||
Macedonian | достигнување | ||
The word "достигнување" in Macedonian can also mean "attaining", "accomplishing", or "obtaining" a goal. | |||
Polish | osiągnięcie | ||
The word "osiągnięcie" is derived from the verb "osiągnąć", which means "to reach" or "to attain". It can also refer to a goal or objective that has been successfully accomplished. | |||
Romanian | realizare | ||
The Romanian word "realizare" originates from the Latin verb "realizare," meaning "to make real" or "to accomplish." | |||
Russian | достижение | ||
Достижение means "achievement" in Russian but can also mean "ambition" or "goal". | |||
Serbian | достигнуће | ||
The word "достигнуће" also means "attainment" in Serbian. | |||
Slovak | úspech | ||
The Slovak word "úspech" derives from the verb "uspieť", meaning "to succeed" or "to come through", and is cognate with the Czech word "úspěch". | |||
Slovenian | dosežek | ||
The word "dosežek" in Slovenian comes from the Old Slavic word *dosěgniti*, meaning "to reach" or "to attain" | |||
Ukrainian | досягнення | ||
The Ukrainian word "досягнення" comes from the Proto-Slavic root "*dosęgъ", which also means "reach" or "attainment". |
Bengali | কৃতিত্ব | ||
The word "কৃতিত্ব" (kṛtitva) derives from the Sanskrit root "कृ" (kṛ), meaning "to do, to make". | |||
Gujarati | સિદ્ધિ | ||
The Sanskrit origin of the Gujarati word “સિદ્ધિ” implies its meanings of 'perfection', 'completion', 'attainment' and 'supernatural powers' | |||
Hindi | उपलब्धि | ||
The word "उपलब्धि" (uplabdhi) literally means "gathering to" or "reaching towards," emphasizing the process or journey towards an accomplishment. | |||
Kannada | ಸಾಧನೆ | ||
The term 'ಸಾಧನೆ' also implies the 'tools' or 'means' to accomplish something. | |||
Malayalam | നേട്ടം | ||
The word "നേട്ടം" (achievement) in Malayalam is derived from the root "നേടുക" (to gain, acquire), and also means "profit" or "earning". | |||
Marathi | यश | ||
In Prakrit the word 'यश' means 'sun', but it also meant fame or glory | |||
Nepali | उपलब्धि | ||
The word "उपलब्धि" can also mean "attainment" or "acquisition". | |||
Punjabi | ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤੀ | ||
Punjabi word “ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤੀ” (“achievement”) traces its roots back to the Sanskrit term “प्राप्ति” and refers to the attainment of something through effort, accomplishment, or acquisition. | |||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | ජයග්රහණය | ||
ජයග්රහණය (jayagrahanaya) comes from the Sanskrit word "jayagraha" (conquest) and also refers to a Buddhist concept of the four foundations of mindfulness. | |||
Tamil | சாதனை | ||
Telugu | సాధన | ||
The word "సాధన" (sādhana) in Telugu also refers to a spiritual practice or discipline. | |||
Urdu | کامیابی | ||
The word "کامیابی" comes from the Persian word "کام" meaning "desire" and the Arabic suffix "ی" indicating "state or condition". Thus, "کامیابی" literally means "the state of having one's desires fulfilled". |
Chinese (Simplified) | 成就 | ||
成就 can also mean 'to create' and 'to bear fruit'. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 成就 | ||
成就, Mandarin pinyin: chéngjiù, was first used in the Analects of Confucius, referring to the process of cultivation and improvement. | |||
Japanese | 成果 | ||
"成" means to become, while "果" means result. Thus, the word "成果" can also mean "outcome" or "fruit (of one's labour)". | |||
Korean | 성취 | ||
The Hanja of 성취 (成취) is also used to write the word "accomplishment" in Japanese (せいじゅ), but its meaning in Korean is closer to "success" or "attainment." | |||
Mongolian | ололт амжилт | ||
The word "ололт амжилт" is also used to mean "success" or "accomplishment" in Mongolian. | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | အောင်မြင်မှု | ||
Indonesian | prestasi | ||
The word ''prestasi'' is derived from the Sanskrit word ''prāpti'', meaning ''the attainment of something''. | |||
Javanese | prestasi | ||
In Old Javanese, prestasi meant "the act of being prominent". | |||
Khmer | សមិទ្ធិផល | ||
Lao | ຜົນ ສຳ ເລັດ | ||
Malay | pencapaian | ||
The word "pencapaian" in Malay derives from the root word "capai" meaning "to reach" or "to attain". | |||
Thai | ความสำเร็จ | ||
The word "ความสำเร็จ" can also mean "success" or "completion." | |||
Vietnamese | thành tích | ||
The word "thành tích" in Vietnamese could also mean "marks" when used in an academic context. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | tagumpay | ||
Azerbaijani | nailiyyət | ||
The word "nailiyyət" in Azerbaijani shares the same root with the Arabic word "naal" meaning "to obtain". | |||
Kazakh | жетістік | ||
The word "жетістік" in Kazakh also refers to the quality of being sufficient or adequate, or the state of being capable of accomplishing something. | |||
Kyrgyz | жетишкендик | ||
It is a derivative of the verb "жетиш-." This verb means "to arrive". Alternatively, it may mean "to attain." Ultimately, it may mean "to become." "Жетишкендик" may be translated as "arrival" or "attainment." | |||
Tajik | дастовард | ||
The word "дастовард" also means "certificate" or "diploma" in Tajik. | |||
Turkmen | üstünlik | ||
Uzbek | muvaffaqiyat | ||
The word "muvaffaqiyat" ultimately derives from the Arabic word "wafā", meaning "fulfillment"} | |||
Uyghur | مۇۋەپپەقىيەت | ||
Hawaiian | kūleʻa | ||
Kū is a possessive noun prefix, a passive voice verbal prefix, or an active voice verbal prefix in various Polynesian languages (including Māori and Hawaiian) meaning ‘to arise, appear, stand, live.’ | |||
Maori | whakatutukitanga | ||
'Whakatutuki' can also refer to the outcome of an endeavour or the completion of a task. | |||
Samoan | ausia | ||
The word "ausia" can also mean "reward" in Samoan. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | mga nakamit | ||
"Mga nakamit" means "achievements" and is a plural of "nakamit" which means "to accomplish". |
Aymara | jikxatata | ||
Guarani | jehupyty | ||
Esperanto | atingo | ||
The word "atingo" derives from the root "at", meaning "achieve", and is related to the word "atingi", meaning "to attain". | |||
Latin | factum | ||
In Latin, "factum" can refer to an occurrence, a deed, or a document. |
Greek | κατόρθωμα | ||
In Greek mythology, "κατόρθωμα" could also refer to the heroic deeds of heroes or the extraordinary feats of gods and goddesses. | |||
Hmong | kev ua tiav | ||
The Hmong word 'kev ua tiav' can also refer to a person or group's overall performance in an activity or undertaking. | |||
Kurdish | suxre | ||
The Kurdish word "suxre" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*swek" meaning "to follow, pursue." | |||
Turkish | kazanım | ||
The word "kazanım" is also used to refer to "income" in the Turkish language. | |||
Xhosa | impumelelo | ||
The Xhosa word 'impumelelo' also carries the connotation of 'success, victory, or triumph' | |||
Yiddish | דערגרייה | ||
The Yiddish word "דערגרייה" is derived from the Slavic word "dorgat" and can also mean "to accomplish" or "to reach". | |||
Zulu | impumelelo | ||
In Zulu, "impumelelo" can also refer to the act of completing a task or project. | |||
Assamese | প্ৰাপ্তি | ||
Aymara | jikxatata | ||
Bhojpuri | उपलबधि | ||
Dhivehi | ޙާޞިލުވުން | ||
Dogri | प्राप्ती | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | tagumpay | ||
Guarani | jehupyty | ||
Ilocano | nadanon | ||
Krio | wetin wi gɛt | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | دەسکەوت | ||
Maithili | उपलब्धि | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯃꯥꯏ ꯄꯥꯛꯄ | ||
Mizo | hlawhtlinna | ||
Oromo | milkaa'ina | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ସଫଳତା | ||
Quechua | aypay | ||
Sanskrit | उपलब्धि | ||
Tatar | казаныш | ||
Tigrinya | ዓወት | ||
Tsonga | fikelela | ||