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
| Afrikaans | aksie | ||
| The Afrikaans word "aksie" derives from the Dutch word "actie", and also has the meaning of "share" or "stock" in a company. | |||
| Amharic | እርምጃ | ||
| The word "እርምጃ" also means "step" or "pace" in Amharic. | |||
| Hausa | aiki | ||
| "Aiki" can also refer to a specific type of traditional Hausa wrestling. | |||
| Igbo | emereme | ||
| In Igbo, the word 'emereme' also refers to a type of traditional performance that involves singing and dancing. | |||
| Malagasy | hetsika | ||
| "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". | |||
| Shona | chiito | ||
| 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". | |||
| Somali | ficil | ||
| The word "ficil" also means "deed" or "work" in Somali. | |||
| Sesotho | ketso | ||
| The word "ketso" in Sesotho can also refer to a lawsuit or legal proceedings. | |||
| Swahili | hatua | ||
| The word 'hatua' also means a step in Swahili, reflecting the idea of movement associated with action. | |||
| Xhosa | isenzo | ||
| The Xhosa word "isenzo" can also refer to a "deed" or a "performance." | |||
| Yoruba | igbese | ||
| The word "igbese" can also refer to a type of dance or movement in Yoruba culture. | |||
| Zulu | isenzo | ||
| The Zulu word "isenzo" can also mean "conduct" or "performance", denoting the manner in which something is carried out. | |||
| Bambara | wale | ||
| Ewe | nuwɔwɔ | ||
| Kinyarwanda | igikorwa | ||
| Lingala | mosala | ||
| Luganda | okikolwa | ||
| Sepedi | kgato | ||
| Twi (Akan) | anamɔntuo | ||
Action in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | عمل | ||
| The word "عمل" in Arabic also means "deed", "work", "employment", "operation", "transaction", and "function". | |||
| Hebrew | פעולה | ||
| The Hebrew word פעולה derives from the root פעל, which means to do or make. | |||
| Pashto | کړنه | ||
| In Pashto, the word "کړنه" can also refer to "a way of doing something", "a deed", or "conduct". | |||
| Arabic | عمل | ||
| The word "عمل" in Arabic also means "deed", "work", "employment", "operation", "transaction", and "function". | |||
Action in Western European Languages
| Albanian | veprimi | ||
| The Albanian word "veprimi" is derived from the Latin word "actio," meaning "a doing" or "a making." | |||
| Basque | ekintza | ||
| 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". | |||
| Catalan | acció | ||
| The word "acció" (action) derives from the Latin "actio" and shares its roots with "actual" and "agency". | |||
| Croatian | akcijski | ||
| The word 'akcijski' in Croatian can also mean 'special offer' or 'on sale' | |||
| Danish | handling | ||
| The Danish word "håndtering" can also mean "handling" (of goods), "management" or "operation." | |||
| Dutch | actie | ||
| The word "actie" in Dutch can also mean "sales promotion" or "share in a company". | |||
| English | action | ||
| The word 'action' derives from the Latin word 'actio' meaning 'act' or 'doing' and has the alternate meaning of 'a share in a company'. | |||
| French | action | ||
| In French, "action" can also refer to a share of stock. | |||
| Frisian | aksje | ||
| The word "aksje" can also mean "share" in financial contexts. | |||
| Galician | acción | ||
| In Galician “acción” may also refer to a financial action such as a stock or share or an investment. | |||
| German | aktion | ||
| In German, "Aktion" can also refer to a fundraising or promotional campaign by an organization or company. | |||
| Icelandic | aðgerð | ||
| The word "aðgerð" can also refer to a surgical procedure or an arithmetic operation. | |||
| Irish | gníomh | ||
| "Gníomh" also signifies "deed, exploit, achievement" and in early Irish could mean "force, violence; power, authority, dignity, majesty." | |||
| Italian | azione | ||
| The word "azione" in Italian can also mean "stock" or "share" in a company. | |||
| Luxembourgish | aktioun | ||
| The Luxembourgish word 'Aktioun' derives from the French word 'action', but it can also refer to an activity or event. | |||
| Maltese | azzjoni | ||
| The word 'azzjoni' in Maltese can also mean 'lawsuit' or 'proceedings' in a legal context. | |||
| Norwegian | handling | ||
| 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 Gaelic | gnìomh | ||
| In addition to its core meaning of "action", "gnìomh" also carries the meanings of "deed", "work", and "business" in Scots Gaelic. | |||
| Spanish | acción | ||
| 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." | |||
| Swedish | handling | ||
| The word "handling" in Swedish can also mean "treatment" or "behavior". | |||
| Welsh | gweithredu | ||
| Derived from the word 'gwaith' ('work') and the suffix '-redu' ('doer of'), 'gweithredu' can also mean 'operator'. | |||
Action in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | дзеянне | ||
| 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. | |||
| Bosnian | akcija | ||
| The word "akcija" can also refer to a special offer, promotion, or sale. | |||
| Bulgarian | действие | ||
| In Bulgarian, "действие" can also refer to a verb or the action of performing a task. | |||
| Czech | akce | ||
| In Czech, "akce" can also mean "discount" or "sale." | |||
| Estonian | tegevus | ||
| The word "tegevus" is derived from the Proto-Finnic word "teko", meaning "to do" or "to make." | |||
| Finnish | toiminta | ||
| The Finnish word "toiminta" (action) also means "function" or "activity". | |||
| Hungarian | akció | ||
| The word "akció" derives from the Latin "actio", meaning "a doing" or "a performing". | |||
| Latvian | darbība | ||
| The word "darbība" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *werb-, meaning "to turn, to move". | |||
| Lithuanian | veiksmas | ||
| The word "veiksmas" in Lithuanian can also mean "deed" or "performance" | |||
| Macedonian | акција | ||
| "Акција" can mean "share" in the context of a corporation or "campaign" in the context of a marketing effort. | |||
| Polish | akcja | ||
| In Polish, "akcja" also translates as "stock" or "share". | |||
| Romanian | acțiune | ||
| "Acțiune" also means "share", as in a share of stock (derived from French "action") in Romanian. | |||
| Russian | действие | ||
| The Russian word "действие" (action) can also refer to an event, a deed, or a performance. | |||
| Serbian | поступак | ||
| The word 'поступак' can also mean 'procedure' or 'method' in Serbian. | |||
| Slovak | akcia | ||
| The word "akcia" in Slovak can also mean "special offer" or "sale." | |||
| Slovenian | ukrepanje | ||
| The word "ukrepanje" can also refer to a physical intervention or a medical procedure. | |||
| Ukrainian | дії | ||
| The Ukrainian word "дії" originates from the Proto-Slavic verb "дѣяти" (dějati), meaning "to do" or "to act."} | |||
Action in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | কর্ম | ||
| 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." | |||
| Gujarati | ક્રિયા | ||
| The Gujarati word 'ક્રિયા' ('action') also means 'function' or 'verb' in a grammatical context. | |||
| Hindi | कार्य | ||
| Hindi word "कार्य" ("karya") also means "work" or "task" in English. | |||
| Kannada | ಕ್ರಿಯೆ | ||
| The word "ಕ್ರಿಯೆ" also means "activity", "operation", "performance", "behavior", and "reaction" in Kannada. | |||
| Malayalam | പ്രവർത്തനം | ||
| Marathi | क्रिया | ||
| The Marathi word "क्रिया" also has the meanings of a verb and a mantra. | |||
| Nepali | कार्य | ||
| 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' | |||
| Punjabi | ਕਾਰਵਾਈ | ||
| 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". | |||
| Tamil | நடவடிக்கை | ||
| Telugu | చర్య | ||
| చర్య also means 'behaviour' or 'conduct' and is derived from the Sanskrit word 'kriya'. | |||
| Urdu | عمل | ||
| 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. | |||
| Korean | 동작 | ||
| The word "동작" can also mean "neighborhood" or "district" in Korean, hinting at the interconnectedness of people and actions in a community. | |||
| Mongolian | үйл ажиллагаа | ||
| The word "үйл ажиллагаа" can also mean "deed", "work", or "activity" in Mongolian. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | အရေးယူမှု | ||
Action in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | tindakan | ||
| The word "tindakan" can also mean "measure" or "step". | |||
| Javanese | tumindak | ||
| The Javanese word "tumindak" can also mean "to act, to do, to behave" | |||
| Khmer | សកម្មភាព | ||
| 'សកម្មភាព' does not only mean 'action' but also can mean 'activism' or 'campaign'. | |||
| Lao | ການປະຕິບັດ | ||
| Malay | tindakan | ||
| The Malay word "tindakan" can also refer to a measure or step taken to prevent or remedy something. | |||
| Thai | หนังบู๊ | ||
| The word หนังบู๊ (pronounced "nàang bùu") also means "skin battle" and refers to movies with lots of fight scenes. | |||
| Vietnamese | hoạt 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
| Azerbaijani | fəaliyyət | ||
| 'Fəaliyyət' can also mean 'operation', 'activity', 'conduct', 'performance', 'function', 'effect' or 'influence' in Azerbaijani. | |||
| Kazakh | әрекет | ||
| The Kazakh word "әрекет" (action) is also used to refer to a motion or gesture. | |||
| Kyrgyz | иш-аракет | ||
| The Kyrgyz word "иш-аракет" derives from the Proto-Turkic "*iş-araq" and can also refer to "work" or "activity" in modern Kyrgyz. | |||
| Tajik | амал | ||
| The word "амал" is also used in Tajik to refer to the "method" or "way" of performing an action. | |||
| Turkmen | hereket | ||
| Uzbek | harakat | ||
| The Uzbek word “harakat” not only means “action”, but also “movement”, “stir”, and “excitement”. | |||
| Uyghur | ھەرىكەت | ||
Action in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | hana | ||
| In Hawaiian, "hana" also refers to an occupation, profession, or duty. | |||
| Maori | mahi | ||
| Mahi can also mean 'cause', as in the phrase 'mahi kai' ('cause for food'). | |||
| Samoan | gaioiga | ||
| 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
| Aymara | luraña | ||
| Guarani | ojejapóva | ||
Action in International Languages
| Esperanto | ago | ||
| The word "ago" in Esperanto can also mean "past tense" or "before," similar to its use in Latin. | |||
| Latin | actum | ||
| "Actum" also means "decree" or "legal transaction" in Latin. | |||
Action in Others Languages
| Greek | δράση | ||
| 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'. | |||
| Hmong | ntawv | ||
| The verb 'ntawv' is also used in idioms to describe actions that take place with a certain amount of force. | |||
| Kurdish | çalakî | ||
| The word "çalakî" in Kurdish also means "speed" or "agility". | |||
| Turkish | aksiyon | ||
| 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' | |||
| Xhosa | isenzo | ||
| The Xhosa word "isenzo" can also refer to a "deed" or a "performance." | |||
| Yiddish | קאַמף | ||
| 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. | |||
| Zulu | isenzo | ||
| The Zulu word "isenzo" can also mean "conduct" or "performance", denoting the manner in which something is carried out. | |||
| Assamese | কাৰ্য কৰা | ||
| Aymara | luraña | ||
| Bhojpuri | कार्रवाई | ||
| Dhivehi | ޢަމަލު | ||
| Dogri | हरकत | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | aksyon | ||
| Guarani | ojejapóva | ||
| Ilocano | aksion | ||
| Krio | du | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | کردار | ||
| Maithili | कार्य | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯊꯕꯛ | ||
| Mizo | thiltih | ||
| Oromo | gocha | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ | ||
| Quechua | ruwana | ||
| Sanskrit | नामपत्र | ||
| Tatar | эш | ||
| Tigrinya | ተግባር | ||
| Tsonga | goza | ||