Action in different languages

Action in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'action' carries significant weight in our vocabulary, denoting a wide range of concepts from physical movement to initiative and engagement. Its cultural importance is evident in fields as diverse as film (where 'action' scenes keep us on the edge of our seats), politics (where 'taking action' is often synonymous with making positive change), and philosophy (where 'existentialism' posits that we are defined by our actions).

Given the word's broad applicability, it's no surprise that people worldwide may want to know its translation in different languages. After all, understanding action in various linguistic contexts can enrich our cross-cultural communication and deepen our appreciation for global perspectives.

For instance, did you know that the Latin word for action, 'actio,' shares its roots with our English word? Or that the ancient Greek term for action, 'praxis,' also means 'doing' or 'performance'? These historical contexts add depth to our understanding of action, reminding us that our human drive to take initiative is both universal and timeless.

Below, you'll find a list of translations of action in various languages, from Spanish and French to Mandarin and Japanese. We hope this resource inspires you to explore the richness of language and culture, one action at a time.

Action


Action in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansaksie
The Afrikaans word "aksie" derives from the Dutch word "actie", and also has the meaning of "share" or "stock" in a company.
Amharicእርምጃ
The word "እርምጃ" also means "step" or "pace" in Amharic.
Hausaaiki
"Aiki" can also refer to a specific type of traditional Hausa wrestling.
Igboemereme
In Igbo, the word 'emereme' also refers to a type of traditional performance that involves singing and dancing.
Malagasyhetsika
"Hetsika" also means something that is done for someone else as a service and for which nothing is expected in return.
Nyanja (Chichewa)kanthu
In Nyanja (Chichewa), the word "kanthu" can also refer to a "thing" or a "matter".
Shonachiito
The word "chiito" is commonly used to refer to an action or event, but it can also mean "a piece of meat" or "a debt".
Somalificil
The word "ficil" also means "deed" or "work" in Somali.
Sesothoketso
The word "ketso" in Sesotho can also refer to a lawsuit or legal proceedings.
Swahilihatua
The word 'hatua' also means a step in Swahili, reflecting the idea of movement associated with action.
Xhosaisenzo
The Xhosa word "isenzo" can also refer to a "deed" or a "performance."
Yorubaigbese
The word "igbese" can also refer to a type of dance or movement in Yoruba culture.
Zuluisenzo
The Zulu word "isenzo" can also mean "conduct" or "performance", denoting the manner in which something is carried out.
Bambarawale
Ewenuwɔwɔ
Kinyarwandaigikorwa
Lingalamosala
Lugandaokikolwa
Sepedikgato
Twi (Akan)anamɔntuo

Action in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicعمل
The word "عمل" in Arabic also means "deed", "work", "employment", "operation", "transaction", and "function".
Hebrewפעולה
The Hebrew word פעולה derives from the root פעל, which means to do or make.
Pashtoکړنه
In Pashto, the word "کړنه" can also refer to "a way of doing something", "a deed", or "conduct".
Arabicعمل
The word "عمل" in Arabic also means "deed", "work", "employment", "operation", "transaction", and "function".

Action in Western European Languages

Albanianveprimi
The Albanian word "veprimi" is derived from the Latin word "actio," meaning "a doing" or "a making."
Basqueekintza
The word "ekintza" comes from the Basque word "ekin", which means "to act". The suffix "-tza" is a suffix that is used to form abstract nouns, so "ekintza" means "the act of acting".
Catalanacció
The word "acció" (action) derives from the Latin "actio" and shares its roots with "actual" and "agency".
Croatianakcijski
The word 'akcijski' in Croatian can also mean 'special offer' or 'on sale'
Danishhandling
The Danish word "håndtering" can also mean "handling" (of goods), "management" or "operation."
Dutchactie
The word "actie" in Dutch can also mean "sales promotion" or "share in a company".
Englishaction
The word 'action' derives from the Latin word 'actio' meaning 'act' or 'doing' and has the alternate meaning of 'a share in a company'.
Frenchaction
In French, "action" can also refer to a share of stock.
Frisianaksje
The word "aksje" can also mean "share" in financial contexts.
Galicianacción
In Galician “acción” may also refer to a financial action such as a stock or share or an investment.
Germanaktion
In German, "Aktion" can also refer to a fundraising or promotional campaign by an organization or company.
Icelandicaðgerð
The word "aðgerð" can also refer to a surgical procedure or an arithmetic operation.
Irishgníomh
"Gníomh" also signifies "deed, exploit, achievement" and in early Irish could mean "force, violence; power, authority, dignity, majesty."
Italianazione
The word "azione" in Italian can also mean "stock" or "share" in a company.
Luxembourgishaktioun
The Luxembourgish word 'Aktioun' derives from the French word 'action', but it can also refer to an activity or event.
Malteseazzjoni
The word 'azzjoni' in Maltese can also mean 'lawsuit' or 'proceedings' in a legal context.
Norwegianhandling
In Norwegian, "handling" can also mean "conduct, behavior, or operation".
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)açao
"Açao" derives from the Latin "actio," with many meanings such as "deed," "activity," and even "share." This reflects the multifaceted nature of the word's usage in Portuguese.
Scots Gaelicgnìomh
In addition to its core meaning of "action", "gnìomh" also carries the meanings of "deed", "work", and "business" in Scots Gaelic.
Spanishacción
The Spanish word "acción" is derived from the Latin word "actio," meaning "an action, act, or deed," and is cognated with the English word "action."
Swedishhandling
The word "handling" in Swedish can also mean "treatment" or "behavior".
Welshgweithredu
Derived from the word 'gwaith' ('work') and the suffix '-redu' ('doer of'), 'gweithredu' can also mean 'operator'.

Action in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianдзеянне
In Belarusian, the word "дзеянне" ("action") also refers to a specific legal action or proceeding initiated by a party to enforce a right or redress a wrong.
Bosnianakcija
The word "akcija" can also refer to a special offer, promotion, or sale.
Bulgarianдействие
In Bulgarian, "действие" can also refer to a verb or the action of performing a task.
Czechakce
In Czech, "akce" can also mean "discount" or "sale."
Estoniantegevus
The word "tegevus" is derived from the Proto-Finnic word "teko", meaning "to do" or "to make."
Finnishtoiminta
The Finnish word "toiminta" (action) also means "function" or "activity".
Hungarianakció
The word "akció" derives from the Latin "actio", meaning "a doing" or "a performing".
Latviandarbība
The word "darbība" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *werb-, meaning "to turn, to move".
Lithuanianveiksmas
The word "veiksmas" in Lithuanian can also mean "deed" or "performance"
Macedonianакција
"Акција" can mean "share" in the context of a corporation or "campaign" in the context of a marketing effort.
Polishakcja
In Polish, "akcja" also translates as "stock" or "share".
Romanianacțiune
"Acțiune" also means "share", as in a share of stock (derived from French "action") in Romanian.
Russianдействие
The Russian word "действие" (action) can also refer to an event, a deed, or a performance.
Serbianпоступак
The word 'поступак' can also mean 'procedure' or 'method' in Serbian.
Slovakakcia
The word "akcia" in Slovak can also mean "special offer" or "sale."
Slovenianukrepanje
The word "ukrepanje" can also refer to a physical intervention or a medical procedure.
Ukrainianдії
The Ukrainian word "дії" originates from the Proto-Slavic verb "дѣяти" (dějati), meaning "to do" or "to act."}

Action in South Asian Languages

Bengaliকর্ম
The Bengali word "কর্ম" (karma) comes from the Sanskrit word "कर्म" (karma), which in turn comes from the Proto-Indo-European root "*kʷer-m-," meaning "to make, do, or perform."
Gujaratiક્રિયા
The Gujarati word 'ક્રિયા' ('action') also means 'function' or 'verb' in a grammatical context.
Hindiकार्य
Hindi word "कार्य" ("karya") also means "work" or "task" in English.
Kannadaಕ್ರಿಯೆ
The word "ಕ್ರಿಯೆ" also means "activity", "operation", "performance", "behavior", and "reaction" in Kannada.
Malayalamപ്രവർത്തനം
Marathiक्रिया
The Marathi word "क्रिया" also has the meanings of a verb and a mantra.
Nepaliकार्य
कार्य can derive from the Sanskrit word 'karma' meaning 'deed', 'action' or 'work' and is cognate with the Greek word ' ergon' meaning 'work' or 'deed'
Punjabiਕਾਰਵਾਈ
The word "ਕਾਰਵਾਈ" (action) in Punjabi originated from the Sanskrit word "कार्य" (task, function) and has a secondary meaning as "proceedings" or "course of action".
Sinhala (Sinhalese)කටයුතු
The word "කටයුතු" can also refer to "business dealings" or "official work".
Tamilநடவடிக்கை
Teluguచర్య
చర్య also means 'behaviour' or 'conduct' and is derived from the Sanskrit word 'kriya'.
Urduعمل
The word "عمل" in Urdu can also mean "work" or "deeds".

Action in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)行动
行动 is also an important term in Chinese philosophy, referring to the process of transformation and change.
Chinese (Traditional)行動
"行動" is composed of "行" (moving) and "動" (triggering); its original meaning was "to trigger a movement."
Japaneseアクション
The word "アクション" can also mean "reaction" or "response" in Japanese.
Korean동작
The word "동작" can also mean "neighborhood" or "district" in Korean, hinting at the interconnectedness of people and actions in a community.
Mongolianүйл ажиллагаа
The word "үйл ажиллагаа" can also mean "deed", "work", or "activity" in Mongolian.
Myanmar (Burmese)အရေးယူမှု

Action in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiantindakan
The word "tindakan" can also mean "measure" or "step".
Javanesetumindak
The Javanese word "tumindak" can also mean "to act, to do, to behave"
Khmerសកម្មភាព
'សកម្មភាព' does not only mean 'action' but also can mean 'activism' or 'campaign'.
Laoການປະຕິບັດ
Malaytindakan
The Malay word "tindakan" can also refer to a measure or step taken to prevent or remedy something.
Thaiหนังบู๊
The word หนังบู๊ (pronounced "nàang bùu") also means "skin battle" and refers to movies with lots of fight scenes.
Vietnamesehoạt động
"Hoạt động" (action) comes from the Chinese characters "活动", which can also mean "movement", "energy" or "liveliness".
Filipino (Tagalog)aksyon

Action in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanifəaliyyət
'Fəaliyyət' can also mean 'operation', 'activity', 'conduct', 'performance', 'function', 'effect' or 'influence' in Azerbaijani.
Kazakhәрекет
The Kazakh word "әрекет" (action) is also used to refer to a motion or gesture.
Kyrgyzиш-аракет
The Kyrgyz word "иш-аракет" derives from the Proto-Turkic "*iş-araq" and can also refer to "work" or "activity" in modern Kyrgyz.
Tajikамал
The word "амал" is also used in Tajik to refer to the "method" or "way" of performing an action.
Turkmenhereket
Uzbekharakat
The Uzbek word “harakat” not only means “action”, but also “movement”, “stir”, and “excitement”.
Uyghurھەرىكەت

Action in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianhana
In Hawaiian, "hana" also refers to an occupation, profession, or duty.
Maorimahi
Mahi can also mean 'cause', as in the phrase 'mahi kai' ('cause for food').
Samoangaioiga
The verb gaioiga can also refer to the act of fighting, or to an aggressive or boisterous person.
Tagalog (Filipino)aksyon
The Tagalog word "aksyon" ultimately derives from the Spanish word "acción", meaning "act" or "deed".

Action in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaraluraña
Guaraniojejapóva

Action in International Languages

Esperantoago
The word "ago" in Esperanto can also mean "past tense" or "before," similar to its use in Latin.
Latinactum
"Actum" also means "decree" or "legal transaction" in Latin.

Action in Others Languages

Greekδράση
In modern Greek the word 'δράση' can mean not only 'action, doing' (opposed to inaction), as in ancient Greek, but it can also mean a 'performance, play', as in French 'action' or the English stage direction 'enter' and 'exit'.
Hmongntawv
The verb 'ntawv' is also used in idioms to describe actions that take place with a certain amount of force.
Kurdishçalakî
The word "çalakî" in Kurdish also means "speed" or "agility".
Turkishaksiyon
The Turkish word 'aksiyon' (action) is derived from the French word 'action', which in turn comes from the Latin word 'actio', meaning 'a doing' or 'an act'
Xhosaisenzo
The Xhosa word "isenzo" can also refer to a "deed" or a "performance."
Yiddishקאַמף
The Yiddish word "קאַמף" not only means "action" but also "struggle" and "fight". In addition to its literal meaning, it can also refer to a political or social conflict.
Zuluisenzo
The Zulu word "isenzo" can also mean "conduct" or "performance", denoting the manner in which something is carried out.
Assameseকাৰ্য কৰা
Aymaraluraña
Bhojpuriकार्रवाई
Dhivehiޢަމަލު
Dogriहरकत
Filipino (Tagalog)aksyon
Guaraniojejapóva
Ilocanoaksion
Kriodu
Kurdish (Sorani)کردار
Maithiliकार्य
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯊꯕꯛ
Mizothiltih
Oromogocha
Odia (Oriya)କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ
Quechuaruwana
Sanskritनामपत्र
Tatarэш
Tigrinyaተግባር
Tsongagoza

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