Actress in Different Languages
Discover 'Actress' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
An actress is a woman who plays a role in a play, movie, television show, or other performance. The term has been in use since at least the 16th century, and actresses have been prominent figures in the cultural landscape ever since. From Sarah Bernhardt to Meryl Streep, actresses have captivated audiences with their talent, charisma, and ability to bring characters to life.
The significance of the word 'actress' goes beyond just the performance industry. It is a term that represents the many women who have broken barriers and defied stereotypes to pursue their passions. From the early days of theater, when women were not even allowed to perform on stage, to the present day, when actresses are some of the most powerful and influential people in the entertainment industry, the word 'actress' is a symbol of progress and empowerment.
For those interested in language and culture, knowing the translation of 'actress' in different languages can be a fascinating way to learn about the nuances and differences between cultures. For example, in Spanish, an actress is called 'actriz,' while in German, she is called 'Schauspielerin.' In French, the term is 'actrice,' and in Italian, it is 'attrice.'
In this article, we will explore the translations of the word 'actress' in a variety of languages, shedding light on the cultural significance of this important term.
Actress
Actress in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | aktrise | ||
| The word "aktrise" in Afrikaans originates from the Old French word "actrisse", meaning "female actor". | |||
| Amharic | ተዋናይ | ||
| The word "ተዋናይ" also has an archaic meaning, "woman with beautiful eyes" (ተዋና አይን) | |||
| Hausa | yar wasan kwaikwayo | ||
| The term 'yar wasan kwaikwayo' is also used figuratively to refer to something or someone that is deceptive or cunning. | |||
| Igbo | omee | ||
| In Igbo, the word "omee" can also mean "beauty". | |||
| Malagasy | mpilalao sarimihetsika | ||
| The word "mpilalao sarimihetsika" in Malagasy can also refer to a female performer in a traditional Malagasy dance or musical group. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | wojambula | ||
| "Wojambula" can also refer to a female dancer or performer. | |||
| Shona | mutambi | ||
| The word "mutambi" can also refer to an enchantress, diviner, or sorceress. | |||
| Somali | atariisho | ||
| The word "atariisho" derives from the Arabic word "atriz" (actress), which itself comes from the Greek word "ὑποκριτής" (actor). | |||
| Sesotho | sebapali | ||
| The word 'sebapali' in Sesotho is thought to derive from the Sepedi language, where it means 'player', or 'one who performs'. | |||
| Swahili | mwigizaji | ||
| The word "mwigizaji" is derived from the verb "kuigiza", meaning "to perform" or "to act". It can also refer to a male actor, although the more specific term "mwigizaji wa kiume" is often used. | |||
| Xhosa | umdlali weqonga | ||
| In Xhosa, the word 'umdlali weqonga' translates directly to 'one who plays on the platform' | |||
| Yoruba | oṣere | ||
| The Yoruba word "oṣere" can also refer to a female praise singer or a female entertainer. | |||
| Zulu | umdlali waseshashalazini | ||
| The Zulu word 'umdlali waseshashalazini' is a calque of the Afrikaans word 'aktries' and the English word 'actress', both of which are derived from the Latin word 'actor'. | |||
| Bambara | actrice (fɔlikɛla). | ||
| Ewe | fefewɔla | ||
| Kinyarwanda | umukinnyi | ||
| Lingala | actrice ya masano | ||
| Luganda | munnakatemba | ||
| Sepedi | sebapadi sa difilimi | ||
| Twi (Akan) | odiyifo | ||
Actress in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | ممثلة | ||
| The word ممثلة ("actress") is derived from the root مثل ("to act") and can also refer to a female impersonator or a person who pretends to be someone else. | |||
| Hebrew | שַׂחְקָנִית | ||
| שַׂחְקָנִית derives from the root שׂחק, meaning "to play," and can also refer to a female player or jester. | |||
| Pashto | اداکاره | ||
| The word "اداکاره" in Pashto literally means "one who acts". | |||
| Arabic | ممثلة | ||
| The word ممثلة ("actress") is derived from the root مثل ("to act") and can also refer to a female impersonator or a person who pretends to be someone else. | |||
Actress in Western European Languages
| Albanian | aktore | ||
| The Albanian term "aktore", meaning "actress," derives from the Latin word for "to do" and originally denoted a performer of any gender. | |||
| Basque | aktore | ||
| "Aktore" also means "she who acts" and is related to the verb "egite" (to do). | |||
| Catalan | actriu | ||
| The Catalan word "actriu" is derived from the Latin "actrix" and can also refer to a female agent or performer. | |||
| Croatian | glumica | ||
| The word 'glumica' is a feminine form of the word 'glumac,' which means 'actor' in Croatian. | |||
| Danish | skuespillerinde | ||
| The word "skuespillerinde" is derived from the Old Norse word "skúspællari", meaning "jester" or "fool". | |||
| Dutch | actrice | ||
| In Dutch, the word "actrice" can also refer to a female actor who performs in both theatre and film. | |||
| English | actress | ||
| The word actress derives from the Latin word actrix, meaning "female performer". | |||
| French | actrice | ||
| The French word "actrice" is derived from the Latin word "actor", meaning "performer". | |||
| Frisian | toanielspylster | ||
| The word "toanielspylster" is derived from the Old Frisian words "toania" (stage) and "spylster" (player). | |||
| Galician | actriz | ||
| In Galician, "actriz" does not simply mean "actress," but also "inventor" or "performer." | |||
| German | darstellerin | ||
| The German word "Darstellerin" not only means "actress" but can also refer to a female performer in general, including singers, dancers, and comedians. | |||
| Icelandic | leikkona | ||
| The word "leikkona" is derived from the Old Norse word "leikr" and the feminine suffix "kona", which means "play" and "woman" and refers to the performance-based aspect of the role. | |||
| Irish | aisteoir | ||
| The term "aisteoir" can also refer to a "performer" or "entertainer" in a general sense. | |||
| Italian | attrice | ||
| Originally referred to an advocate's wife, in the 17th century it took the current meaning of 'actress' and became feminine to attore (actor). | |||
| Luxembourgish | schauspillerin | ||
| In Luxembourgish, "Schauspillerin" can also refer to a female performer in a play or other theatrical production. | |||
| Maltese | attriċi | ||
| The word "attriċi" in Maltese is derived from the Italian word "attrice" and is related to the verb "agire" (to act), ultimately originating from the Latin word "agere" (to do, to act). | |||
| Norwegian | skuespillerinne | ||
| The word "skuespillerinne" (actress) in Norwegian is derived from the verb "skue" meaning "to look". | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | atriz | ||
| In Portuguese, "atriz" is also used colloquially to refer to a pretentious or overdramatic person, regardless of gender. | |||
| Scots Gaelic | ban-chleasaiche | ||
| The root word of 'ban-chleasaiche' is 'cleasach,' meaning 'game' or 'play,' revealing the historical role of actresses as performers. | |||
| Spanish | actriz | ||
| The word "Actriz" in Spanish originates from the Latin word "actor", which refers to a performer of either gender. | |||
| Swedish | skådespelerska | ||
| The term 'skådespelerska', originating in the 18th century from 'spel' and 'erska', was first used as a theatrical role and then later came to be associated with female actresses. | |||
| Welsh | actores | ||
| Although 'actores' means 'actress' in Welsh, 'actor' is used to refer to both male and female actors in English. | |||
Actress in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | актрыса | ||
| In Old Belarusian, the word "актрыса" could also refer to a woman who impersonated a man for theatrical purposes. | |||
| Bosnian | glumica | ||
| The word 'glumica' derives from Proto-Slavic word '*golomikъ', which likely referred to a person with no permanent home and who wandered from place to place. | |||
| Bulgarian | актриса | ||
| The word "актриса" can also mean "performer" or "role". | |||
| Czech | herečka | ||
| Herečka also means "female actor; stage performer" and is derived from the verb "hrát" (to play). | |||
| Estonian | näitlejanna | ||
| The word "näitlejanna" is derived from the verb "näitlema" (to act), indicating performance and skill in the theatrical arts. | |||
| Finnish | näyttelijä | ||
| "Näyttelijä" is a derivative of "näyttää" (to show) and means "one who shows". | |||
| Hungarian | színésznő | ||
| In Hungarian, "színésznő" is derived from the word "színész" (actor), meaning a female performer on stage or screen. | |||
| Latvian | aktrise | ||
| The word "aktrise" is derived from the French word "actrice" and the German word "Aktrice". | |||
| Lithuanian | aktorė | ||
| In Lithuanian, "aktorė" derives from the word "aktorius" (actor), indicating the gender-neutral nature of the profession in the language. | |||
| Macedonian | актерка | ||
| This word can also mean someone who pretends to be good or innocent, or someone who is insincere. | |||
| Polish | aktorka | ||
| The word "aktorka" in Polish is derived from Latin "actrix", meaning "female performer", and is related to the word "aktor" (actor). | |||
| Romanian | actriţă | ||
| The Romanian word "actriţă" can also refer to a female performer in a play or movie, and is derived from the Latin word "actor", meaning "a doer." | |||
| Russian | актриса | ||
| The word "актриса" is derived from the Latin word "actrix", meaning "female actor", and is related to the Latin word "actor", meaning "performer". | |||
| Serbian | глумица | ||
| 'Глумица' is a cognate with 'глумак' ('actor'), both meaning 'someone who pretends' | |||
| Slovak | herečka | ||
| Herečka, in Slovak, can also refer to a female heron as the word was likely derived from the word for stork, "čáp." | |||
| Slovenian | igralka | ||
| "Igralka" was originally used to describe a woman who plays music, not necessarily an actress. | |||
| Ukrainian | актриса | ||
| The Ukrainian term "актриса" (actress) derives from the Latin word "actor" (performer) and can also refer to a female performer in a theatrical or musical work. | |||
Actress in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | অভিনেত্রী | ||
| অভিনেত্রী is derived from the Sanskrit word 'abhinetra' (actress or dancer), which itself is derived from the root 'ni' (to lead) and 'tray' (to protect). | |||
| Gujarati | અભિનેત્રી | ||
| In Sanskrit, 'अभि' (abhi-) means 'towards' and 'नेत्र' (netra) means 'eye', hence 'अभि-नेत्री' (abhi-netri) refers to one who leads with her eyes or facial expressions. | |||
| Hindi | अभिनेत्री | ||
| "अभिनेत्री" means "female actor", and also refers to "a woman who impersonates a male character" in drama or theatre. | |||
| Kannada | ನಟಿ | ||
| The word "ನಟಿ" can also refer to a female dancer or a woman who plays a role in a drama or movie, not just an actress. | |||
| Malayalam | നടി | ||
| In Malayalam, the word "നടി" can also refer to "a woman who plays a role or acts on a stage or in a movie". This meaning is shared with Hindi, Gujarati and Marathi where the word is transcribed as "अभिनेत्री". | |||
| Marathi | अभिनेत्री | ||
| The term अभिनेत्री is also a term of respect for Hindu goddesses and is sometimes used in a metaphorical sense to refer to the personification of nature or a force of nature. | |||
| Nepali | अभिनेत्री | ||
| 'अभिनेत्री' is a feminine noun in Nepali derived from Sanskrit that signifies a female performer. | |||
| Punjabi | ਅਭਿਨੇਤਰੀ | ||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | නිළිය | ||
| The word "නිළිය" can also refer to a female role in a play or a dancer in a traditional Sri Lankan dance form. | |||
| Tamil | நடிகை | ||
| The word "நடிகை" originates from the Tamil word "நட" meaning "to walk", signifying the role of actresses in performing on stage or in front of a camera. | |||
| Telugu | నటి | ||
| The word "నటి" (naTi) can also refer to a female impersonator or a woman who plays a male role in a戏劇 (nAtaka, play). | |||
| Urdu | اداکارہ | ||
| اداکارہ is derived from the Persian word اداء ('performance' or 'role'), hence it can also mean 'performer' or 'role-player'. | |||
Actress in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 演员 | ||
| Though '演员' originally meant 'a person who plays roles', it's now more commonly used to refer to professional actors and actresses. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 演員 | ||
| "演员" may also refer to an actor, performer, or comedian, depending on the context. | |||
| Japanese | 女優 | ||
| The word "女優" (joyū, "actress") originally meant "a woman who sings and dances" before taking on its current meaning, and is etymologically related to the word "声優" (seiyuu, "voice actor"). | |||
| Korean | 여배우 | ||
| The word "여배우" is derived from the Sino-Korean word "女優" (여유), which originally meant "female shaman" or "priestess". | |||
| Mongolian | жүжигчин | ||
| The word "жүжигчин" in Mongolian has the alternate meaning of "performer" irrespective of gender. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | မင်းသမီး | ||
Actress in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | aktris | ||
| The word "aktris" in Indonesian originated from the Javanese word "aktrises". | |||
| Javanese | aktris | ||
| The term 'aktris' can also refer to a female dancer or singer in Javanese performances, and is derived from the Sanskrit word 'aktrisa' meaning 'female dancer'. | |||
| Khmer | តារាសម្តែង | ||
| The word "តារាសម្តែង" originates from two Sanskrit words, "tara" and "darshana", meaning "star" and "to see" respectively, hence the translation to "actress". | |||
| Lao | ນັກສະແດງ | ||
| Malay | pelakon wanita | ||
| The Malay word 'pelakon wanita' consists of the words 'pelakon', meaning 'actor', and 'wanita', meaning 'woman'. | |||
| Thai | นักแสดงหญิง | ||
| The word "นักแสดงหญิง" (actress) in Thai is a compound of "นักแสดง" (actor) and "หญิง" (female). | |||
| Vietnamese | nữ diễn viên | ||
| The word "nữ diễn viên" (actress) in Vietnamese literally means "female performer". | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | artista | ||
Actress in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | aktrisa | ||
| The word "aktrisa" is also used to refer to a female performer in a stage play or a movie in Azerbaijani. | |||
| Kazakh | актриса | ||
| The word "актриса" is derived from the Latin word "actris", meaning "female performer". | |||
| Kyrgyz | актриса | ||
| The word "актриса" is derived from the Latin word "actrix", meaning "female actor." | |||
| Tajik | актриса | ||
| The word "актриса" (actress) is derived from the French word "actrice", which itself comes from the Latin word "actrix" (a performer). | |||
| Turkmen | aktrisa | ||
| Uzbek | aktrisa | ||
| The word "aktrisa" is derived from the Latin word "actor", meaning "a performer". It can also refer to a female performer in a theater, film, or television production. | |||
| Uyghur | ئارتىس | ||
Actress in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | mea hana keaka | ||
| The word `mea hana keaka` (actress) literally means "a person who does acting" in Hawaiian. | |||
| Maori | wahine wahine | ||
| In Maori, the word "wahine" also means "woman" or "female." | |||
| Samoan | teine fai pese | ||
| Teine fai pese can also be used to refer to a 'female vocalist' or 'singer'. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | artista | ||
| Artista can also refer to a 'person who can act or perform in any kind of stage play, in radio, television, or in a motion picture' or to an 'artist'. | |||
Actress in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | actriz satawa | ||
| Guarani | actriz rehegua | ||
Actress in International Languages
| Esperanto | aktorino | ||
| In Esperanto, the word "aktorino" can also refer to a female actor or performer, not necessarily in a theatrical context. | |||
| Latin | mima | ||
| In addition to 'actress', 'mima' also means a 'female mime'. | |||
Actress in Others Languages
| Greek | ηθοποιός | ||
| The word "ηθοποιός" in Greek originally meant "character actor", but over time it came to be used primarily for actresses. | |||
| Hmong | neeg ua yeeb yam | ||
| The full phrase "neeg ua yeeb yam" literally means "person plays theater" | |||
| Kurdish | şanoger | ||
| The Kurdish word "şanoger" is also used to refer to a "singer" or "female performer". | |||
| Turkish | aktris | ||
| In Turkish, the word "aktris" can also refer to a female dancer or performer. | |||
| Xhosa | umdlali weqonga | ||
| In Xhosa, the word 'umdlali weqonga' translates directly to 'one who plays on the platform' | |||
| Yiddish | אַקטריסע | ||
| The Yiddish word "אַקטריסע" (aktrise) derives from the Latin word "actor" which could refer to both male and female performers, thus "aktrise" could mean a female "actor". | |||
| Zulu | umdlali waseshashalazini | ||
| The Zulu word 'umdlali waseshashalazini' is a calque of the Afrikaans word 'aktries' and the English word 'actress', both of which are derived from the Latin word 'actor'. | |||
| Assamese | অভিনেত্ৰী | ||
| Aymara | actriz satawa | ||
| Bhojpuri | अभिनेत्री के रूप में काम कइले बाड़ी | ||
| Dhivehi | ބަތަލާއެކެވެ | ||
| Dogri | अभिनेत्री | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | artista | ||
| Guarani | actriz rehegua | ||
| Ilocano | aktres nga aktres | ||
| Krio | aktɔ we de ple di fim | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | خانمە ئەکتەر | ||
| Maithili | अभिनेत्री | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯑꯦꯛꯇꯔ ꯑꯣꯏꯅꯥ ꯊꯧ ꯄꯨꯈꯤ꯫ | ||
| Mizo | actress a ni | ||
| Oromo | taphattuu | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ଅଭିନେତ୍ରୀ | ||
| Quechua | actriz sutiyuq warmi | ||
| Sanskrit | अभिनेत्री | ||
| Tatar | актриса | ||
| Tigrinya | ተዋሳኢት | ||
| Tsonga | mutlangi wa swifaniso | ||