Aggressive in Different Languages
Discover 'Aggressive' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'aggressive' carries significant weight in our vocabulary, often used to describe bold, assertive behavior. But when does assertiveness cross the line into aggression? Understanding this concept is crucial in navigating personal and professional relationships, as it helps us communicate effectively while maintaining respect for others. Moreover, the cultural importance of this word varies across the globe, making its translations in different languages intriguing and enlightening.
For instance, did you know that the Latin translation of 'aggressive' is 'agressivus,' which stems from the word 'agredi' meaning 'to approach'? Or that in Russian, 'aggressivny' (агрессивный) can also imply a certain level of hostility? These nuances highlight how language and culture are intertwined, shedding light on societal norms and values.
So, whether you're a language enthusiast, a world traveler, or someone looking to expand their cultural knowledge, understanding the translations of 'aggressive' can be a fascinating journey. Let's explore some of these translations together.
Aggressive
Aggressive in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | aggressief | ||
| Amharic | ጠበኛ | ||
| "ጠበኛ" also means 'one who attacks' or 'one who has a habit of fighting' in some contexts. | |||
| Hausa | m | ||
| In the Gwandara dialect of Hausa, "m" also means "to eat". | |||
| Igbo | keesemokwu | ||
| The word "keesemokwu" derives from the Igbo words "kee" (to make) and "esemokwu" (speech), implying "making a speech that is aggressive." | |||
| Malagasy | masiaka | ||
| "Masiaka" is related to the word "tsiaka" which means "to fight" | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | aukali | ||
| The word "aukali" in Nyanja (Chichewa) refers to an aggressive or ferocious animal. | |||
| Shona | hasha | ||
| In some Shona dialects, “hasha” also means “to be tough” or “to be strong”. | |||
| Somali | dagaal badan | ||
| The term "dagaal badan" literally translates to "possessing a lot of war," indicating a fierce and combative nature. | |||
| Sesotho | mabifi | ||
| 'Mabifi' can also mean 'cruel' or 'unmerciful' | |||
| Swahili | fujo | ||
| The term "fujo" can also be used to describe someone who is quick to anger or violence. | |||
| Xhosa | ndlongondlongo | ||
| Ndlongondlongo has the alternate meaning of "a very tall or long person" in Xhosa. | |||
| Yoruba | ibinu | ||
| In Yoruba, the term «ìbínú» can also mean ‘anger’ or ‘rage’. | |||
| Zulu | nolaka | ||
| Nolaka derives from the Zulu word for "horn," imbola, and may suggest the threatening behavior of a horned animal. | |||
| Bambara | farin | ||
| Ewe | kple ŋusẽ | ||
| Kinyarwanda | umunyamahane | ||
| Lingala | mobulu | ||
| Luganda | amaanyi | ||
| Sepedi | rumola | ||
| Twi (Akan) | patapaa | ||
Aggressive in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | عدوانية | ||
| The word "عدوانية" also refers to acts of hostility or aggression, particularly in the context of international relations. | |||
| Hebrew | תוֹקפָּנִי | ||
| The Hebrew word "תוֹקפָּנִי" ("aggressive") can also mean "valid" or "binding" in a legal or formal context. | |||
| Pashto | جارحانه | ||
| The Pashto word جارحانه ('aggressive') can also mean 'sharp' or 'piercing' when used to describe physical objects. | |||
| Arabic | عدوانية | ||
| The word "عدوانية" also refers to acts of hostility or aggression, particularly in the context of international relations. | |||
Aggressive in Western European Languages
| Albanian | agresive | ||
| In Albanian, "agresiv" also means "assertive" or "bold." | |||
| Basque | erasokorra | ||
| The word "erasokorra" has been used in the sense of "energetic" or "diligent" instead of "aggressive" in the past. | |||
| Catalan | agressiu | ||
| The word “agressiu” in Catalan derives from the Latin verb “aggredior,” meaning "attack" or "go against." | |||
| Croatian | agresivan | ||
| "Agresivan" also has a slang meaning of "bad-tempered" or "difficult". | |||
| Danish | aggressiv | ||
| The Danish word "aggressiv" derives from the Latin word "aggressus" (''to approach'') and can also have the connotation of being forceful or energetic. | |||
| Dutch | agressief | ||
| In Dutch, "agressief" can also mean "fierce" or "wild". | |||
| English | aggressive | ||
| The word "aggressive" comes from the Latin word "aggredi," which means "to approach" or "to go towards." | |||
| French | agressif | ||
| The word "agressif" comes from the Latin word "aggredi", meaning "to attack" or "to come against." | |||
| Frisian | agressyf | ||
| The word "agressyf" in Frisian comes from the French "agressif" and the Latin "aggressus", and can also mean "offensive" or "hostile" in some contexts. | |||
| Galician | agresivo | ||
| En gallego **agresivo** puede significar 'agrio' (en sabor) | |||
| German | aggressiv | ||
| The German word "aggressiv" comes from the Latin word "aggressus" meaning "attack" or "approach". | |||
| Icelandic | árásargjarn | ||
| The word "árásargjarn" is a compound of the words "árás" (attack) and "gjarn" (eager), suggesting an eagerness to attack. | |||
| Irish | ionsaitheach | ||
| The term 'ionsaitheach' is derived from the Old Irish word 'iunsaith' meaning 'attack' or 'oppression'. | |||
| Italian | aggressivo | ||
| The Italian word “aggressivo” also means “assertive” or “pushy” | |||
| Luxembourgish | aggressiv | ||
| In Luxembourgish, "aggressiv" not only means "aggressive," but also "pushy," "assertive," and even "insistent." | |||
| Maltese | aggressiva | ||
| The Maltese word "aggressiva" originates from the Italian word "aggressivo", meaning "aggressive" in English. | |||
| Norwegian | aggressiv | ||
| In Norwegian, 'aggressiv' has a broader meaning than in English, encompassing 'competitive' and 'assertive'. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | agressivo | ||
| The word "agressivo" in Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) can also mean "assertive" or "self-confident." | |||
| Scots Gaelic | ionnsaigheach | ||
| The Scots Gaelic word 'ionnsaigheach' originates from the Proto-Celtic word 'insag-' meaning 'an assault' | |||
| Spanish | agresivo | ||
| Originally meant "inclined to attack" in the 17th century, now also refers to behavior or language characterized by forceful assertion. | |||
| Swedish | aggressiv | ||
| Swedish "aggressiv" can also mean "advancing", "moving forward", or "pushing". | |||
| Welsh | ymosodol | ||
| The word "ymosodol" in Welsh derives from the word "ymgais," meaning "attempt," and the suffix "-ol," denoting a tendency or inclination. | |||
Aggressive in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | агрэсіўны | ||
| "Агрэсіўны" (aggressive) can also mean "assertive" or "ambitious" in Belarusian. | |||
| Bosnian | agresivan | ||
| The word 'agresivan' in Bosnian also means 'offensive' or 'assertive'. | |||
| Bulgarian | агресивен | ||
| In Bulgarian, the word 'агресивен' also carries the meaning of 'persistent', and is used in contexts such as 'aggressive marketing'. | |||
| Czech | agresivní | ||
| "Agresivní" comes from the Latin "aggredi," meaning to go towards but also to attack, and can be used literally (e.g. "agresivní pes") or figuratively (e.g. "agresivní reklama"). | |||
| Estonian | agressiivne | ||
| 'Aggressiivne' is derived from Latin 'aggressus', meaning 'attack'. | |||
| Finnish | aggressiivinen | ||
| The word "aggressiivinen" comes from the Latin word "aggredior", meaning "to attack" or "to go against." | |||
| Hungarian | agresszív | ||
| "Agresszív" in Hungarian comes from the Latin word "aggressor", meaning "attacker", but unlike in English, in Hungarian, it can also mean "active" or "dynamic" in a positive sense. | |||
| Latvian | agresīvs | ||
| The word "agresīvs" in Latvian can also mean "bold" or "energetic". | |||
| Lithuanian | agresyvus | ||
| "Agresyvus" can also mean "pushy" or "importunate". | |||
| Macedonian | агресивни | ||
| The word "агресивни" can also mean "pushy" or "assertive" in Macedonian. | |||
| Polish | agresywny | ||
| "Agresywny" in Polish can also mean toxic, harmful, or corrosive. | |||
| Romanian | agresiv | ||
| The word "agresiv" comes from the French word "agressif" which in turn comes from the Latin word "aggredi" meaning "to attack". | |||
| Russian | агрессивный | ||
| The word "агрессивный" ("aggressive") in Russian can also mean "assertive" or "pushy". | |||
| Serbian | агресиван | ||
| "Агресиван" also means "impulsive" and shares etymology with the word for "anger" (љут). | |||
| Slovak | agresívny | ||
| The word "agresívny" in Slovak can also mean "assertive" or "pushy". | |||
| Slovenian | agresiven | ||
| "Agresiven" in Slovenian can also mean "assertive" or "bold." | |||
| Ukrainian | агресивний | ||
| The word "агресивний" comes from the Latin word "aggressus", meaning "to approach" or "to attack". It can also refer to someone who is hostile or confrontational. | |||
Aggressive in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | আক্রমণাত্মক | ||
| আক্রমণাত্মক' could also mean 'violent' or 'an offensive act'. | |||
| Gujarati | આક્રમક | ||
| The word "આક્રમક" has its roots in the Sanskrit word "क्रम्" (kram), meaning "step". In its original context, it meant "stepping forward" or "taking a step". It later evolved to mean "attacking" or "assaulting". | |||
| Hindi | आक्रामक | ||
| आक्रामक (ākrāmak) derives from the Sanskrit word "क्रामति" (krāmati) meaning "to step or stride" and carries connotations of forceful invasion or trespass. | |||
| Kannada | ಆಕ್ರಮಣಕಾರಿ | ||
| Malayalam | ആക്രമണാത്മക | ||
| The word | |||
| Marathi | आक्रमक | ||
| "आक्रमक" also means "insolent" in Marathi. | |||
| Nepali | आक्रामक | ||
| "आक्रामक" is derived from the Sanskrit root "कर्म" (karma) and means "one who acts", or "one who does". In addition to its literal meaning of "aggressive", it can also be used to describe someone who is assertive, proactive, or self-assured. | |||
| Punjabi | ਹਮਲਾਵਰ | ||
| "ਹਮਲਾਵਰ" is a Punjabi adjective meaning "aggressive". Its alternate meaning is "a person who attacks without warning". | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | ආක්රමණශීලී | ||
| The word can also be used to describe an army's invasion of a territory. | |||
| Tamil | முரட்டுத்தனமான | ||
| Telugu | దూకుడు | ||
| "దూకుడు" can mean both "impudence" and "insolence" apart from denoting "aggression" | |||
| Urdu | جارحانہ | ||
| The word "جارحانہ" can also mean "offensive" or "hurtful" in Urdu. | |||
Aggressive in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 好斗的 | ||
| 好斗 also means “fond of fighting” and “pugnacious.” | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 好鬥的 | ||
| 好鬥的, also pronounced “hǎodòu de”, can also mean “fond of fighting” or “ready to fight”. | |||
| Japanese | アグレッシブ | ||
| In Japanese, アグレッシブ (aguresshibu) does not only mean aggressive but also energetic and positive. | |||
| Korean | 적극적인 | ||
| "적극적인" is also used to describe someone who is enthusiastic or proactive. | |||
| Mongolian | түрэмгий | ||
| Түрэмгий is derived from the Mongolian word 'түрэм' which means 'law' or 'regulation', suggesting that aggressive behavior is considered a violation of societal norms. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | ရန်လို | ||
| ရန်လို ('aggressive') is also used as a name in Myanmar for either gender, and it means 'enemy' in Pali. | |||
Aggressive in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | agresif | ||
| The Indonesian word "agresif" comes from the Dutch word "agressief", which in turn is derived from the Latin word "aggressus", meaning "to attack". | |||
| Javanese | agresif | ||
| The Javanese word "agresif" has the same root as the word "agresi" which means "attack" or "aggression" in Indonesian. | |||
| Khmer | ឈ្លានពាន | ||
| The word "ឈ្លានពាន" literally means "to leap out and grab" or "to spring upon". It is often used to describe the behavior of predators or attackers. | |||
| Lao | ຮຸກຮານ | ||
| Malay | agresif | ||
| In Malay, 'agresif' also means 'active' or 'dynamic'. | |||
| Thai | ก้าวร้าว | ||
| The word "ก้าวร้าว" also means "to progress" or "to advance" in Thai. | |||
| Vietnamese | xâm lược | ||
| The word "xâm lược" in Vietnamese can also refer to "to invade" or "to encroach upon". | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | agresibo | ||
Aggressive in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | aqressiv | ||
| The Azerbaijani word "aqressiv" is borrowed from French "agressif" with an unchanged meaning and pronunciation | |||
| Kazakh | агрессивті | ||
| The word "агрессивті" in Kazakh is derived from the Russian word "агрессивный" and can also mean "insistent" or "persistent". | |||
| Kyrgyz | агрессивдүү | ||
| In Kyrgyz, the word 'агрессивдүү' can also refer to behaviors or actions that are forceful, assertive, or demanding. | |||
| Tajik | хашмгин | ||
| The word "хашмгин" can also mean "furious" or "angry". | |||
| Turkmen | agressiw | ||
| Uzbek | tajovuzkor | ||
| The word "tajovuzkor" is derived from the Persian word "tajâvuz" and the Uzbek suffix "-kor" (meaning "maker"). It can also refer to "impetuous" or "audacious" behavior. | |||
| Uyghur | تاجاۋۇزچى | ||
Aggressive in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | hōʻeuʻeu | ||
| "Hōʻeuʻeu" can also mean "to stir up," "to incite," or "to provoke." | |||
| Maori | pukuriri | ||
| As well as meaning 'aggressive', 'pukuriri' can also mean 'to push' or 'to urge'. | |||
| Samoan | faʻasauā | ||
| The phrase "fa'asauā" comes from the words "sauā" (savage) and "fa'a" (to make), suggesting a transformation into a savage or aggressive state. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | agresibo | ||
| Agresibo, meaning "aggressive" in Tagalog, originates from the Spanish word "agresivo," with similar connotations. | |||
Aggressive in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | nuwasiri | ||
| Guarani | oñemombaretéva | ||
Aggressive in International Languages
| Esperanto | agresema | ||
| "Agresema" is a portmanteau of "agresi" ("aggress") and "ema" ("my") and can be used to refer to a state of being overly self-protective. | |||
| Latin | ferox | ||
| The Latin word 'ferox', meaning 'aggressive', is derived from 'ferus' meaning wild and 'ox' meaning sharp, and thus translates as 'sharp-wild'. | |||
Aggressive in Others Languages
| Greek | επιθετικός | ||
| In Greek, "επιθετικός" (epitheticós) carries both the connotation of physical aggression and verbal hostility. | |||
| Hmong | txhoj puab heev | ||
| "Txhoj puab heev" can also be used to describe someone who is very persistent or determined. | |||
| Kurdish | êrşişbaz | ||
| The word "êrşişbaz" in Kurdish originates from the Persian "ēršiš" (envy, ill will) with the suffix "baz" (doer, practitioner), suggesting a sense of ill-intentioned provocation. | |||
| Turkish | agresif | ||
| Turkish word "agresif" originally meant "active, energetic". The current meaning of "aggressive" is a loan from English. | |||
| Xhosa | ndlongondlongo | ||
| Ndlongondlongo has the alternate meaning of "a very tall or long person" in Xhosa. | |||
| Yiddish | אַגרעסיוו | ||
| אַגרעסיוו means "aggressive" in Yiddish but can also mean "disagreeable" or "difficult to deal with". | |||
| Zulu | nolaka | ||
| Nolaka derives from the Zulu word for "horn," imbola, and may suggest the threatening behavior of a horned animal. | |||
| Assamese | আক্ৰমণাত্মক | ||
| Aymara | nuwasiri | ||
| Bhojpuri | आक्रामक | ||
| Dhivehi | ހަރުކަށި | ||
| Dogri | उग्गर | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | agresibo | ||
| Guarani | oñemombaretéva | ||
| Ilocano | agresibo | ||
| Krio | vɛks | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | دووژمنکارانە | ||
| Maithili | आक्रामक | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯁꯥꯎꯒꯟꯕ | ||
| Mizo | tawrawt | ||
| Oromo | balaafamaa | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ଆକ୍ରମଣାତ୍ମକ | ||
| Quechua | waykaq | ||
| Sanskrit | विगृह्य | ||
| Tatar | агрессив | ||
| Tigrinya | ተባኣሳይ | ||
| Tsonga | vurhena | ||