Advertising in Different Languages
Discover 'Advertising' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
Advertising is a powerful tool that has shaped our culture and society in countless ways. It's the lifeblood of modern business, allowing companies to reach new customers and build brand awareness. But advertising is more than just a marketing strategy – it's a form of communication that transcends language and cultural barriers.
Throughout history, advertising has taken many forms, from simple handbills and posters to sophisticated digital campaigns. And as our world has become more interconnected, the need to translate advertising content into different languages has never been greater. By doing so, businesses can expand their reach, connect with diverse audiences, and create truly global brands.
Here are just a few examples of how the word 'advertising' translates into different languages:
- Spanish: publicidad
- French: publicité
- German: Werbung
- Italian: pubblicità
- Chinese: 广告 (guǎng gào)
- Japanese: 広告 (kōkoku)
Advertising
Advertising in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | adverteer | ||
| The word "adverteer" in Afrikaans originates from the Dutch word "adverteren", which also means "to announce" or "to inform". | |||
| Amharic | ማስታወቂያ | ||
| The word "ማስታወቂያ" derives from the root "ተወቀ" (to remember), suggesting its purpose to create a lasting impression. | |||
| Hausa | talla | ||
| The Hausa word "talla" can also refer to a form of taxation or tribute levied on specific individuals or groups. | |||
| Igbo | mgbasa ozi | ||
| 'Mgba Ozi' also implies the spreading of information via word of mouth, through messengers, towncriers, and other informal channels. | |||
| Malagasy | dokambarotra | ||
| The word "DOKAMBAROTRA" is derived from the Malagasy word "dokam-barotra" which means "to speak face to face". | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | kutsatsa | ||
| The word "kutsatsa" can also mean "to persuade" or "to convince" in Nyanja. | |||
| Shona | kushambadza | ||
| The word "kushambadza" in Shona can also mean "to boast" or "to brag". | |||
| Somali | xayeysiinta | ||
| The word "xayeysiinta" is derived from the Arabic word "khabar", meaning "news" or "information". | |||
| Sesotho | papatso | ||
| The word "papatso" in Sesotho is derived from the Zulu word "papatha", which means "to boast" or "to brag." | |||
| Swahili | matangazo | ||
| The word 'matangazo' derives from the verb 'kutangaza', meaning 'to announce', suggesting advertising's role in spreading information. | |||
| Xhosa | intengiso | ||
| In Xhosa, 'intengiso' literally translates to 'to make known' or 'to make visible', reflecting its purpose of conveying information to the public. | |||
| Yoruba | ipolowo | ||
| The word "ipolowo" also means "trade" or "commerce" in Yoruba. | |||
| Zulu | ukukhangisa | ||
| "Ukukhangisa" may also refer to spreading something, such as a disease or rumor. | |||
| Bambara | gansili | ||
| Ewe | le boblodom | ||
| Kinyarwanda | kwamamaza | ||
| Lingala | piblisite | ||
| Luganda | advertising | ||
| Sepedi | kwalakwatšo | ||
| Twi (Akan) | dawurobɔ | ||
Advertising in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | إعلان | ||
| "إعلان" also means "statement" or "declaration" in Arabic | |||
| Hebrew | פִּרסוּם | ||
| The Hebrew word פִרסוּם derives from פרס meaning Persia, possibly due to ancient Persians' commercial influence. | |||
| Pashto | اعلانونه | ||
| اعلانونه 'advertising' is derived from the Arabic word 'i'lān', meaning 'notice'. | |||
| Arabic | إعلان | ||
| "إعلان" also means "statement" or "declaration" in Arabic | |||
Advertising in Western European Languages
| Albanian | reklamimi | ||
| The word "reklamimi" in Albanian is derived from the Turkish "reklam", which means "public notice". | |||
| Basque | publizitatea | ||
| The Basque word for "advertising" is related to the word for "public" and it originally meant "to make known to the public," reflecting the idea of conveying information to a wide audience. | |||
| Catalan | publicitat | ||
| The word "publicitat" comes from the Latin word "publicus", which means "of the people" or "belonging to the public". Therefore, "publicitat" can also be interpreted as "publicity" or "public relations". | |||
| Croatian | oglašavanje | ||
| The word "oglašavanje" can also refer to the act of "speaking out" or "making oneself heard" in Croatian. | |||
| Danish | reklame | ||
| "Reklame" is derived from the French word "réclamer," meaning "to cry out" or "to call out." | |||
| Dutch | reclame | ||
| The Dutch word "reclame" also has the meaning of "complaint" or "claim". | |||
| English | advertising | ||
| The word 'advertising' stems from the Latin word 'advertere', meaning to 'turn towards' or 'bring to notice'. | |||
| French | la publicité | ||
| La publicité, derived from the Latin "publicus" meaning "public," also refers to the publicity surrounding an event or person. | |||
| Frisian | reklame | ||
| The word "reklame" is a loanword from French, meaning "announcement" or "proclamation." | |||
| Galician | publicidade | ||
| Etymology: from Latin *publicatus*, past participle of *publicare*, "to make public". | |||
| German | werbung | ||
| "Werbung" can also mean "defense" or "recruiting" in the military context. | |||
| Icelandic | auglýsingar | ||
| Auglýsingar's second meaning, 'disclosure', derives from an ancient Germanic term for 'to make known' | |||
| Irish | fógraíocht | ||
| Italian | pubblicità | ||
| The word "pubblicità" comes from the Latin "publicus", meaning "of the people" or "public". | |||
| Luxembourgish | reklammen | ||
| The word "Reklammen" comes from the French word "réclame", which means "demand" or "request". | |||
| Maltese | reklamar | ||
| The Maltese word "reklamar" is derived from the Italian "reclamare". | |||
| Norwegian | reklame | ||
| "Reklame" comes from the French word "réclame", meaning "claim" or "demand". | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | publicidade | ||
| The word "publicidade" (advertising) in Portuguese comes from Latin word "publicare", which means "to publish" or "to make public." | |||
| Scots Gaelic | sanasachd | ||
| The Gaelic word "sanasachd" shares the same root as "knowledge" and "wisdom". | |||
| Spanish | publicidad | ||
| The word "publicidad" in Spanish derives from the Latin word "publicus", meaning "of the people" or "belonging to the state". | |||
| Swedish | reklam- | ||
| The Swedish word reklam comes from French réclame and ultimately from Latin reclamare meaning "to cry out". | |||
| Welsh | hysbysebu | ||
| The Welsh word "hysbysebu" (advertising) literally means "to make known" and is derived from the verb "hysbysu" (to inform). | |||
Advertising in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | рэклама | ||
| The Belarusian word "рэклама" is derived from the French word "réclame", which means "announcement" or "proclamation." | |||
| Bosnian | oglašavanje | ||
| The word 'oglašavanje' is derived from the verb 'oglasiti se', meaning 'to announce' or 'to make oneself known', and it can also refer to 'publicity' or 'promotion'. | |||
| Bulgarian | реклама | ||
| Bulgarian "реклама" comes from French "réclame", ultimately from Latin "reclamare'", "to cry out". | |||
| Czech | reklamní | ||
| The word "reklamní" derives from the German "Reklame", which refers to the broader concept of publicity and propaganda. | |||
| Estonian | reklaam | ||
| In its original use, the Estonian word "reklaam" means "clamor" or "outcry," but over time has come to be synonymous with modern "advertising." | |||
| Finnish | mainonta | ||
| Mainonta is derived from the word 'mainos' meaning 'fame', 'renown', or 'glory' in Old Norse, and is related to the word 'mainita' meaning 'to mention'. | |||
| Hungarian | hirdető | ||
| The Hungarian word "hirdető" originally meant "messenger", but now also refers specifically to advertising. | |||
| Latvian | reklāma | ||
| "Reklāma" comes from the German word "Reklame," meaning "proclamation". | |||
| Lithuanian | reklama | ||
| The word "reklama" in Lithuanian is derived from the German word "Reklame" and also means "bragging" or "boasting". | |||
| Macedonian | рекламирање | ||
| In Macedonian, "рекламирање" also means "to recommend" or "to promote". | |||
| Polish | reklama | ||
| Reklama is derived from the German word "Reklame", which in turn comes from the Latin "reclamare", meaning "to cry out". | |||
| Romanian | publicitate | ||
| The Romanian word "publicitate" originates from the Latin word "publicus", meaning "of the people". | |||
| Russian | реклама | ||
| The Russian word «реклама» comes from a Dutch-German word, meaning “cry, scream.” | |||
| Serbian | оглашавање | ||
| Oglašavanje derives from Serbian verb 'oglasiti' which means to express opinion. In that sense it shares common etymology with 'glas' or 'glasnik', a word for public speech or newspaper. | |||
| Slovak | reklama | ||
| The word "reklama" can also mean "rumor" in Slovak. | |||
| Slovenian | oglaševanje | ||
| Slovene "oglaševanje" and English "advertising" both derive from the Latin "adverto," which means "to turn the mind to. | |||
| Ukrainian | реклама | ||
| "Реклама" is the Ukrainian word for "advertising," but also means "blackmail" in Russian. | |||
Advertising in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | বিজ্ঞাপন | ||
| The word "বিজ্ঞাপন" is derived from the Sanskrit word "vijñapta", meaning "to inform". | |||
| Gujarati | જાહેરાત | ||
| The word "જાહેરાત" is derived from the Sanskrit word "jha" (to declare), which also gives the root for the English word "declaration." | |||
| Hindi | विज्ञापन | ||
| विज्ञापन' (vijnyāpan) originates from Sanskrit 'Vijñapti' meaning 'making something known,' hence referring to 'advertising'. | |||
| Kannada | ಜಾಹೀರಾತು | ||
| "ಜಾಹೀರಾತು" originally referred to shouting out loud in Kannada, implying an active effort to draw attention. | |||
| Malayalam | പരസ്യം ചെയ്യൽ | ||
| The Malayalam word "പരസ്യം ചെയ്യൽ" originates from the Sanskrit word "प्रशंसन" (praśaṃsana), meaning "praise, commendation, or recommendation". In modern Malayalam, it retains this primary meaning in addition to its contemporary meaning of "advertising". | |||
| Marathi | जाहिरात | ||
| The word 'जाहिरात' in Marathi derives from the Persian word 'zahir,' meaning 'apparent' or 'visible'. | |||
| Nepali | विज्ञापन | ||
| The word "विज्ञापन" ("advertising") is derived from the Sanskrit words "विज्ञ" ("knowledge") and "आपन" ("to bring"), implying the dissemination of information. | |||
| Punjabi | ਇਸ਼ਤਿਹਾਰਬਾਜ਼ੀ | ||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | වෙළඳ දැන්වීම් | ||
| Tamil | விளம்பரம் | ||
| The Tamil word 'விளம்பரம்' derives from the Sanskrit root 'वि-लम्भ' (vi-lambha), meaning 'delay' or 'procrastination', indicating the belief that advertising can delay making a decision. | |||
| Telugu | ప్రకటన | ||
| The word "ప్రకటన" is derived from the Sanskrit word "prakāśa", meaning "light", and also refers to an announcement or notification. | |||
| Urdu | اشتہار | ||
| "اشتہار" derives from the Persian word "اِشْتِهار" meaning "declaration", also a title for a government advertisement in the Mughal Empire. | |||
Advertising in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 广告 | ||
| "广告" (gǎnggào) literally means "public notice." | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 廣告 | ||
| In Traditional Chinese, the term "廣告" also carries the meaning of "notice" or "announcement". | |||
| Japanese | 広告 | ||
| The word "広告" is comprised of two kanji: "広" (hiroi) meaning "wide" or "broad" and "告" (koku) meaning "to announce". This gives the word the combined meaning of "broad announcement" or "public notice". | |||
| Korean | 광고하는 | ||
| The term 광고하는 (advertising) derives from the word 광고 (advertisement), which in turn comes from the Chinese word 廣告. | |||
| Mongolian | зар сурталчилгаа | ||
| The word "зар сурталчилгаа" in Mongolian is derived from two Mongolian words: "зар" (meaning "gold") and "сурталчилгаа" (meaning "image making"). | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | ကြော်ငြာ | ||
Advertising in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | periklanan | ||
| The word "periklanan" is derived from the Sanskrit word "prakarana", meaning "explanation" or "discourse". | |||
| Javanese | pariwara | ||
| The word 'pariwara' in Javanese can also refer to 'family' or 'surrounding'. | |||
| Khmer | ផ្សាយពាណិជ្ជកម្ម | ||
| Lao | ການໂຄສະນາ | ||
| Malay | mengiklankan | ||
| "Mengiklankan" can also refer to the act of promoting a product, service, or event. | |||
| Thai | การโฆษณา | ||
| The Thai word "การโฆษณา" (advertising) is derived from Pali/Sanskrit, where "ฆษ" means "to utter, announce, reveal" and "ณา" means "the action of doing so." | |||
| Vietnamese | quảng cáo | ||
| "Quảng cáo" can also mean "false rumors" or "bad publicity". | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | advertising | ||
Advertising in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | reklam | ||
| The word "reklam" is derived from the Latin word "reclamō", meaning "to cry out" or "to shout". | |||
| Kazakh | жарнама | ||
| The Kazakh word "жарнама" for "advertising" also means "publication" or "announcement". | |||
| Kyrgyz | жарнама | ||
| The word "жарнама" (advertising) in Kyrgyz is derived from the verb "жарнал", meaning "to announce" or "to proclaim." | |||
| Tajik | таблиғ | ||
| The word "таблиғ" is an Arabic term meaning "to convey a message," and in Tajik it specifically signifies "advertising." | |||
| Turkmen | mahabat | ||
| Uzbek | reklama | ||
| "Reklama" (rek-la-ma) is borrowed from Latin and shares its root with "reclamation," meaning "to cry out." | |||
| Uyghur | ئېلان | ||
Advertising in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | hoʻolaha | ||
| The word "hoʻolaha" in Hawaiian derives from words meaning "to cause to spread," which can apply to either gossip or publicity. | |||
| Maori | pānuitanga | ||
| Derived from "pānu", meaning "to display, spread out, or expose," "pānuitanga" refers to the broader act of making public. | |||
| Samoan | faʻasalalauga | ||
| Faʻasalalauga in Samoan can also mean "to spread something around". | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | advertising | ||
| In Tagalog, the word “advertising” can also mean “publicity” or “announcement.” | |||
Advertising in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | uñacht'awi | ||
| Guarani | marandu ñemurã | ||
Advertising in International Languages
| Esperanto | reklamado | ||
| Reklamado is ultimately derived from Latin reclamāre, meaning “to call back.” | |||
| Latin | vendo | ||
| "Vendo" is the present active infinitive of "vendere," meaning "to sell" or "to display for sale." | |||
Advertising in Others Languages
| Greek | διαφήμιση | ||
| In Greek, the word "διαφήμιση" originally meant "public notification" or "announcement" during the Byzantine era. | |||
| Hmong | kev tshaj tawm | ||
| The word "kev tshaj tawm" also literally translates as "to call people and tell them". | |||
| Kurdish | reqlam | ||
| The Kurdish term 'reqlam' is derived from the Arabic word 'iqlam', which means 'inscription'. | |||
| Turkish | reklâm | ||
| "Reklam" derives from the French word "réclame", which originally meant "cry out" or "make a demand". | |||
| Xhosa | intengiso | ||
| In Xhosa, 'intengiso' literally translates to 'to make known' or 'to make visible', reflecting its purpose of conveying information to the public. | |||
| Yiddish | גאַנצע | ||
| In Yiddish, "גאַנצע" (gàntse) also means "entire" or "all", derived from the Hebrew word "גּוּף" (gùf) meaning "body" or "substance" | |||
| Zulu | ukukhangisa | ||
| "Ukukhangisa" may also refer to spreading something, such as a disease or rumor. | |||
| Assamese | বিজ্ঞাপন | ||
| Aymara | uñacht'awi | ||
| Bhojpuri | विज्ञापन | ||
| Dhivehi | އިޝްތިހާރު | ||
| Dogri | मश्हूरी करना | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | advertising | ||
| Guarani | marandu ñemurã | ||
| Ilocano | panangallukoy | ||
| Krio | de advatayz | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | ڕیکلامکردن | ||
| Maithili | प्रचार | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯄꯣꯠ ꯌꯣꯟꯅꯕ ꯎꯌꯄ | ||
| Mizo | fakna | ||
| Oromo | beeksisuu | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ବିଜ୍ଞାପନ | ||
| Quechua | riqsichiq | ||
| Sanskrit | प्ररोचन | ||
| Tatar | реклама | ||
| Tigrinya | ምፍላጥ | ||
| Tsonga | vunavetisi | ||