Active in Different Languages
Discover 'Active' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'active' holds a significant place in our vocabulary, denoting energy, engagement, and participation. It's a word that transcends cultural boundaries, reflecting a universal concept that is as important in the bustling streets of New York as it is in the serene villages of Japan. The term is not just a collection of letters, but a symbol of vitality and action.
Did you know that the English word 'active' comes from the Old French 'actif' and the Latin 'activus', which mean 'on duty'? This historical context underscores the word's significance, highlighting its roots in the idea of being engaged and present.
Understanding the translation of 'active' in different languages can open up a world of cultural exchange and understanding. For instance, in Spanish, 'active' translates to 'activo', in French to 'actif', and in Japanese to '活動的 (katsudō-teki)'. Each language offers a unique perspective on this universal concept.
Active
Active in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | aktief | ||
| The word "aktief" comes from the Latin word "actus" and originally meant "action" or "activity". | |||
| Amharic | ገባሪ | ||
| The word 'ገባሪ' can also mean 'enterprising' or 'aggressive'. | |||
| Hausa | aiki | ||
| The word 'aiki' can also mean 'action', 'movement', or 'energy'. | |||
| Igbo | nọ n'ọrụ | ||
| "Nọ n'ọrụ" also means "to be in office" or to "perform a task"} | |||
| Malagasy | active | ||
| In Malagasy, "active" can also mean "busy", "diligent", or "hardworking". | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | yogwira | ||
| The word "yogwira" in Nyanja (Chichewa) is derived from the Proto-Bantu root "-gwil-," meaning "to do, act, or work." | |||
| Shona | kushingaira | ||
| The word "kushingaira" can also mean "to strive" or "to make an effort." | |||
| Somali | firfircoon | ||
| "Firfircoon" in Somali means "active," but it can also refer to a "lively" or "energetic" person. | |||
| Sesotho | mafolofolo | ||
| The word 'mafolofolo' in Sesotho can also mean 'a person who talks a lot' or 'a person who is always moving'. | |||
| Swahili | hai | ||
| The word "hai" in Swahili can also mean "there is" or "there are". | |||
| Xhosa | esebenzayo | ||
| The Xhosa word 'esebenzayo' is also used to describe something that is 'effective' or 'efficient'. | |||
| Yoruba | ti nṣiṣe lọwọ | ||
| The word "ti nṣiṣe lọwọ" is a compound word derived from the words "nṣiṣe" (action) and "lọwọ" (at hand), meaning literally "that which is being done by hand". This phrase is most commonly used to describe an individual or group that is actively engaged in a task or project. | |||
| Zulu | iyasebenza | ||
| The word "iyasebenza" (active) also means "self-working" or "automatic" in Zulu. | |||
| Bambara | walawalalen | ||
| Ewe | le dɔwɔm | ||
| Kinyarwanda | bikora | ||
| Lingala | esalaka | ||
| Luganda | obunyiikivu | ||
| Sepedi | mafolofolo | ||
| Twi (Akan) | asɔ | ||
Active in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | نشيط | ||
| نشيط is also used to refer to someone or something that is 'vigorous', 'spirited', or 'lively'. | |||
| Hebrew | פָּעִיל | ||
| Originally, פָּעִיל meant "capable of speaking". | |||
| Pashto | چارنده | ||
| The word “چارنده” literally means 'the one which grazes' in Pashto. | |||
| Arabic | نشيط | ||
| نشيط is also used to refer to someone or something that is 'vigorous', 'spirited', or 'lively'. | |||
Active in Western European Languages
| Albanian | aktiv | ||
| The Albanian word "aktiv" is derived from the Latin word "activus". In addition to its meaning of "active", "aktiv" can also mean "property" or "assets". | |||
| Basque | aktiboa | ||
| In Basque the word "aktiboa" also means "active voice" in grammar. | |||
| Catalan | actiu | ||
| The Catalan word "actiu" can also mean "asset" or "stock" in financial contexts. | |||
| Croatian | aktivan | ||
| The word "aktivan" can also mean "agile" or "flexible" in Croatian. | |||
| Danish | aktiv | ||
| The word “aktiv” in Danish can also mean an asset or an income source. | |||
| Dutch | actief | ||
| "Actief" can also mean "share" in the sense of a company stock or bond. | |||
| English | active | ||
| The word "active" derives from the Latin "agere," meaning "to do" or "to drive." | |||
| French | actif | ||
| The French word 'actif' originated in Latin, and is related to 'actum' (done) and 'agere' (to do), thus referring to something currently happening, active or operational. | |||
| Frisian | aktyf | ||
| The Frisian word "aktyf" also means "capable" or "efficient". | |||
| Galician | activo | ||
| In Galician, the word "activo" also means "property" or "capital". | |||
| German | aktiv | ||
| The word "aktiv" is derived from Latin "actus" and can also mean "asset" or "property". | |||
| Icelandic | virkur | ||
| The word "virkur" in Icelandic also means "effective" or "efficacious". | |||
| Irish | gníomhach | ||
| Italian | attivo | ||
| In Italian, "attivo" can also mean "asset". | |||
| Luxembourgish | aktiv | ||
| The word "aktiv" is also used in Luxembourgish to refer to a person who is a member of a political party or other organization. | |||
| Maltese | attiv | ||
| The root word "atto" refers to activity in multiple Mediterranean languages; it also implies a connection to work (attribuire = give work) in Italian. | |||
| Norwegian | aktiv | ||
| The Norwegian word "aktiv" can also refer to assets or financial investments. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | ativo | ||
| In Portuguese, "ativo" can also mean "asset" or "liability" in accounting. | |||
| Scots Gaelic | gnìomhach | ||
| The Gaelic word "gnìomhach" is likely derived from the Proto-Indo-European words "dʰeh₃-" and "ǵʰno-," meaning "to put" and "to strike". | |||
| Spanish | activo | ||
| The word "activo" can also mean "asset" in Spanish, referring to a valuable resource or property. | |||
| Swedish | aktiva | ||
| The word "aktiva" in Swedish can also refer to assets or financial liabilities. | |||
| Welsh | gweithredol | ||
| The word "gweithredol" is derived from "gweithred," meaning "action" or "deed," and the suffix "-ol," which denotes activity or state. | |||
Active in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | актыўны | ||
| The word "актыўны" can also mean "lively" or "energetic" in Belarusian. | |||
| Bosnian | aktivan | ||
| "Aktivan" is a loanword from German "aktiv", meaning "energetic" or "lively" | |||
| Bulgarian | активен | ||
| The word "активен" is derived from the Latin word "activus", meaning "doing" or "acting" and in Bulgarian it can also mean "lively" or "spirited". | |||
| Czech | aktivní | ||
| The word "aktivní" (active) in Czech is derived from the Latin "activus", which originally meant "ready for action or service". | |||
| Estonian | aktiivne | ||
| The word "aktiivne" in Estonian can also mean "energetic" or "lively". | |||
| Finnish | aktiivinen | ||
| In Finnish, "aktiivinen" also signifies being on the offensive in sports or war. | |||
| Hungarian | aktív | ||
| 'Aktív' ('active') has the same root as 'akció' ('action'). | |||
| Latvian | aktīvs | ||
| The Latvian word “aktīvs” shares its root with the verb “aktēt” which means “to act”. This verb is further related to the words “aktīvs” (meaning “asset”) and “aktieris” (which means “actor”). | |||
| Lithuanian | aktyvus | ||
| In Lithuanian, "aktyvus" can refer to being active or to having assets. | |||
| Macedonian | активен | ||
| The word "активен" can also mean "diligent", "energetic", or "busy" in Macedonian. | |||
| Polish | aktywny | ||
| The Polish noun 'akta' (meaning 'documents' or 'files') originates from the Proto-Indo-European root '*h₃ak-' (meaning 'to possess' or 'to hold'), a fact reflected by the semantic evolution of the word 'aktywny'. | |||
| Romanian | activ | ||
| The Romanian word "activ" is derived from the Latin word "activus", meaning "in motion". It can also refer to someone who is engaged in a particular activity or cause. | |||
| Russian | активный | ||
| The term "активный" (active) comes from the Latin word "activus" which means "acting, doing, stirring, busy, nimble." | |||
| Serbian | активан | ||
| The Serbian word "активан" comes from the Latin word "agere" (to do) and also means "current" or "present". | |||
| Slovak | aktívny | ||
| The word "aktívny" comes from the Latin word "agere," meaning "to do" or "to act." | |||
| Slovenian | aktivno | ||
| The word "aktivno" can also mean "positively" or "energetically" in Slovenian. | |||
| Ukrainian | активний | ||
| The word 'активний' can also refer to 'lively' or 'energetic' in Ukrainian. | |||
Active in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | সক্রিয় | ||
| "সক্রিয়" can also mean "efficient" or "industrious" in Bengali. | |||
| Gujarati | સક્રિય | ||
| સક્રિય (Sakriya) originates from Sanskrit 'sakria' (meaning 'capable' or 'powerful') and can also refer to a 'working capital' in financial contexts. | |||
| Hindi | सक्रिय | ||
| सक्रिय can also mean 'lively' or 'agile'. | |||
| Kannada | ಸಕ್ರಿಯ | ||
| ಸಕ್ರಿಯ refers to a state of being active or engaged in an activity, and can also mean 'energetic' or 'vigorous'. | |||
| Malayalam | സജീവമാണ് | ||
| The Malayalam word "സജീവമാണ്" can also refer to agility, alertness, or quick-wittedness. | |||
| Marathi | सक्रिय | ||
| "सक्रिय" can also mean "active ingredient" or "current account" in Marathi. | |||
| Nepali | सक्रिय | ||
| The word "सक्रिय" is derived from the Sanskrit word "क्रिया" (kriya), meaning "action" or "deed". It can also mean "energetic" or "vigorous". | |||
| Punjabi | ਸਰਗਰਮ | ||
| The word "ਸਰਗਰਮ" ("active") in Punjabi originates from the Sanskrit word "सक्रिय" ("active") and is related to the word "सर्ग" ("creation"). | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | සක්රීයයි | ||
| Tamil | செயலில் | ||
| "செயலில்" derives from the root word "செயல்" ("action") and signifies "in action," "engaged in an activity," or "dynamic." | |||
| Telugu | చురుకుగా | ||
| The Telugu word "చురుకుగా" is said to have originated from the Tamil word "சுறுசுறுப்பாக" or the Prakrit word "curucka," both of which mean "active" or "nimble." | |||
| Urdu | فعال | ||
| The word "فعال" comes from the Arabic root word "فعل" which means "to do" or "to act", and can also mean "agent" or "doer" in Urdu. | |||
Active in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 活性 | ||
| "活性" is also used in chemistry to describe the chemical activity of a substance. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 活性 | ||
| 活性 in Chinese can also mean "energy" or "effectiveness." | |||
| Japanese | アクティブ | ||
| The word "アクティブ" in Japanese has Chinese roots, meaning "quick, vigorous, or energetic" and "positive, lively, or enthusiastic." | |||
| Korean | 유효한 | ||
| In addition to its primary meaning of "active," 유효한 can also mean "valid" or "effective." | |||
| Mongolian | идэвхтэй | ||
| The word "идэвхтэй" is derived from the Mongolian word "ид" which means "work". The word "идэвхтэй" can also mean "diligent", "industrious", or "energetic". | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | တက်ကြွ | ||
| In the Burmese language, the word "တက်ကြွ" ("active") derived from the Proto-Burushaski word *tɔq, meaning "to run, to jump." | |||
Active in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | aktif | ||
| "Aktif" is a borrowed word from Arabic meaning "to be present" or "to be in a state of doing something." | |||
| Javanese | aktif | ||
| The etymology of "aktif" in Javanese is uncertain, but some scholars believe it is related to the Javanese word "aktipati" meaning "action". | |||
| Khmer | សកម្ម | ||
| សកម្ម means 'active' but can also refer to a state of being awake or alert. | |||
| Lao | ຫ້າວຫັນ | ||
| The root of the Lao word “ຫ້າວຫັນ” which means “active”, also shows up in “ຫ້າວ” (“to eat, chew”) and is related to an ancient Tai word which referred to the “action of a beast in seizing its prey” and “vigorous, intense action.” | |||
| Malay | aktif | ||
| The Malay word "aktif" comes from the Arabic word "nafs", meaning "self" or "soul", and ultimately derives from the Proto-Semitic root *n-p-š, meaning "to breathe". | |||
| Thai | คล่องแคล่ว | ||
| คล่องแคล่ว comes from the root "คล่อง" (nimble, agile) and "แคล่ว" (quick, swift). | |||
| Vietnamese | hoạt động | ||
| The word "hoạt động" in Vietnamese can also mean "operation" or "movement." | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | aktibo | ||
Active in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | aktivdir | ||
| The word "aktivdir" in Azeri is derived from the Arabic word "aktif", which means "in force, valid, operative", and also refers to a person who actively participates in an event or organization. | |||
| Kazakh | белсенді | ||
| The word "белсенді" can also mean "energetic" or "proactive" in Kazakh. | |||
| Kyrgyz | жигердүү | ||
| The word "жигердүү" can be etymologically linked to the word "жигер" or "liver," suggesting a connotation of "having the strength of a liver". | |||
| Tajik | фаъол | ||
| The Tajik word "фаъол" can also refer to a noun that means "an action". | |||
| Turkmen | işjeň | ||
| Uzbek | faol | ||
| Faol also means "hard-working" in Turkish and means "useful" and "efficient" in Persian and Arabic. | |||
| Uyghur | ئاكتىپ | ||
Active in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | ʻeleu | ||
| The term 'eleu (or in older spelling 'elelu) is cognate to the Tahitian word 'areu 'awake, lively', and the Maori 'ere". | |||
| Maori | hohe | ||
| The Maori word "hohe" may also refer to a sense of pride or eagerness. | |||
| Samoan | toaga | ||
| Toaga, meaning 'active' in Samoan, also relates to the concept of 'being awake', 'bright' or 'shining' | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | aktibo | ||
| The word "aktibo" can also mean "capital" or "assets" in Tagalog. | |||
Active in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | aktiwu | ||
| Guarani | kyre'ỹ | ||
Active in International Languages
| Esperanto | aktiva | ||
| The Esperanto word "aktiva" is derived from the Latin word "agere" meaning "to do" and "to act". | |||
| Latin | active | ||
| The Latin word "activus" comes from "agere" meaning "to do" and refers to a state of being or doing, rather than a quality of being or doing. | |||
Active in Others Languages
| Greek | ενεργός | ||
| The Greek word "ενεργός" is derived from the root "ενεργ-," meaning "to work" or "to produce," and is related to the word "έργον" (work). | |||
| Hmong | nquag | ||
| The Hmong word "nquag" can also mean "in heat" | |||
| Kurdish | jîr | ||
| The Kurdish word "jîr" is also used to describe a person or animal that is agile, lively, or energetic. | |||
| Turkish | aktif | ||
| "Aktif" also means "current asset" in accounting. | |||
| Xhosa | esebenzayo | ||
| The Xhosa word 'esebenzayo' is also used to describe something that is 'effective' or 'efficient'. | |||
| Yiddish | אַקטיוו | ||
| The Yiddish word “אַקטיוו” or “akṭiv” is a direct borrowing from the Latin word “activus” and the German word “aktiv”. | |||
| Zulu | iyasebenza | ||
| The word "iyasebenza" (active) also means "self-working" or "automatic" in Zulu. | |||
| Assamese | সক্ৰিয় | ||
| Aymara | aktiwu | ||
| Bhojpuri | सक्रिय | ||
| Dhivehi | އެކްޓިވް | ||
| Dogri | सरगर्म | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | aktibo | ||
| Guarani | kyre'ỹ | ||
| Ilocano | aktibo | ||
| Krio | wok | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | چالاک | ||
| Maithili | चुस्त | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯊꯋꯥꯏ ꯌꯥꯎꯕ | ||
| Mizo | harhvang | ||
| Oromo | si'aawaa | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ସକ୍ରିୟ | ||
| Quechua | kawsaq | ||
| Sanskrit | सक्रियं | ||
| Tatar | актив | ||
| Tigrinya | ንቑሕ | ||
| Tsonga | hanya | ||