Ancient in different languages

Ancient in Different Languages

Discover 'Ancient' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

Ancient, a word that evokes a sense of mystery and awe, takes us on a journey through time. It signifies something that is old, having existed for a very long time or belonging to a time that is long past. The cultural importance of the word 'ancient' is immense, as it connects us to our roots and gives us a glimpse into the lives of our ancestors.

Delving into the world of 'ancient' is like opening a treasure trove of historical contexts and interesting facts. For instance, did you know that the ancient Egyptians built the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, around 2560 BC? Or that the ancient Greeks were responsible for the foundations of Western philosophy, literature, and government?

Understanding the translation of 'ancient' in different languages can provide us with a unique perspective on how various cultures perceive and value their history. Here are a few sample translations to pique your interest:

  • Latin: antiquus
  • Greek: ἀρχαῖος (archaîos)
  • Chinese: 古老的 (gǔ lǎo de)
  • Japanese: 古代 (kodai)
  • Arabic: عتيق (ʿatīq)

Ancient


Ancient in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansantieke
The Afrikaans word "antieke" is derived from Greek and Latin and can also mean "antique" or "old-fashioned" in addition to "ancient".
Amharicጥንታዊ
The word 'ጥንታዊ' in Amharic also refers to ancient times, history, or the past.
Hausatsoho
The word "tsoho" is also used in Hausa to describe something that is outdated or traditional, like a custom.
Igboochie
The Igbo word "ochie" also has meanings like "early", "venerated", "ancient times" and even "past tense".
Malagasyfahiny
The word "FAHINY" can also refer to something that is respected, venerable, or sacred.
Nyanja (Chichewa)wakale
The word "wakale" in Nyanja (Chichewa) ultimately derives from the Proto-Bantu word *kala*, meaning "long time ago" or "old."
Shonayekare
Derived from a verb stem meaning 'to come upon something by chance' or 'to meet accidentally', the word 'yekare' can also refer to the unexpected or to anything strange and wondrous.
Somaliqadiim ah
The word "qadiim ah" in Somali is also used figuratively to describe something that is out of date or no longer in use.
Sesothoboholo-holo
While "boholo-holo" means "ancient," it can also refer to being or feeling very old.
Swahilikale
"Kale" can also mean "first" or "original" in Swahili.
Xhosamandulo
The word "mandulo" also means "forefather" in Xhosa.
Yorubaatijọ
"Àtijọ" in Yoruba refers to "the olden days" and "old age".
Zululasendulo
The word 'lasendulo' in Zulu can also refer to something that has been passed down through generations or that is regarded as traditional.
Bambarakɔrɔlen
Ewexoxo
Kinyarwandakera
Lingalakala
Luganda-kadde
Sepedikgalekgale
Twi (Akan)tete

Ancient in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicعتيق
The word "عتيق" in Arabic can also mean "noble" or "freed from slavery".
Hebrewעָתִיק
The Hebrew word "עָתִיק" ("ancient") also refers to something or someone who is very old and wise.
Pashtoلرغونی
The word "لرغونی" may also refer to a type of traditional Pashto song.
Arabicعتيق
The word "عتيق" in Arabic can also mean "noble" or "freed from slavery".

Ancient in Western European Languages

Albaniani lashte
The word "i lashte" is also used to refer to something that is very old or outdated.
Basqueantzinakoa
Antzinakoa means "forefather" in Basque and is related to "ancestor" in some dialects.
Catalanantiga
The word "antiga" in Catalan comes from the Latin "ante" (before) and "agere" (to do), and can also mean "former" or "old-fashioned".
Croatianantički
The word 'antički' can also refer to a style of architecture or art from the ancient period.
Danishgammel
Gammel is derived from the Middle Low German "gamal" which can also mean "old", but it can also be used to refer to something that is "experienced".
Dutchoude
The Dutch word "oude" can also mean "aged", as in "aged cheese".
Englishancient
In addition to its chronological meaning, "ancient" is also used figuratively to describe things that are old-fashioned or outdated.
Frenchancien
In French, "ancien" can mean not only "ancient" but also "former" when referring to a position or title.
Frisianâld
In Old Frisian, "âld" could also mean "noble" or "worthy of respect."
Galicianantiga
Antiga comes from the Latin word “antiquus”, which also refers to old things, objects, or situations
Germanuralt
The word "uralt" comes from the Middle High German word "uralte" meaning "very old, ancient".
Icelandicfornt
In Icelandic, 'forn' can also refer to a person of noble descent or a mythological being.
Irishársa
Although 'ársa' is usually understood to mean 'ancient', it may also mean 'slow' or 'elderly'.
Italianantico
"Antico" also means "old-fashioned" or "outdated" in Italian, just like the English word "antique".
Luxembourgishantike
The word "antike" can also refer to an auction or a second-hand shop in Luxembourgish.
Malteseantika
The word "antika" can also refer to an antique or an anachronism.
Norwegianeldgamle
The word "eldgamle" in Norwegian can also refer to something that is very old-fashioned or outdated.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)antigo
The word 'antigo' also means 'old-fashioned', 'outdated' or 'obsolete' in Portuguese.
Scots Gaelicàrsaidh
The Gaelic word for ‘ancient’ (àrsaidh) also refers to the spirits of the dead who dwell in ancient places.
Spanishantiguo
The word 'antiguo' originally meant 'old age' and referred to the period of life after youth and before senescence.
Swedishgammal
The Swedish word "gammal" originates from the Old Norse "gamall", which means "old" or "aged."
Welshhynafol
"Hynafol" also refers to an archaic or old-fashioned word or phrase.

Ancient in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianстаражытны
The word "старажытны" in Belarusian originates from the Proto-Slavic word "starъ", meaning "old" or "ancient".
Bosniandrevni
Drevni means 'ancient' in Bosnian, but it also has the alternate meaning of 'tall' or 'long'.
Bulgarianдревен
The word "древен" can also mean "primeval" or "archaic" in Bulgarian.
Czechstarověký
Starověký derives from the Czech words "starý" (old) and "věk" (age), and can also refer to historical periods such as the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages.
Estonianiidne
The word "iidne" can also mean "old-fashioned" or "traditional" in Estonian.
Finnishmuinainen
The word "muinainen" comes from the Proto-Finnic word "*muina" meaning "old", and is related to the Estonian word "muinane" and the Karelian word "muinoin".
Hungarianősi
The term "ősi" also denotes an ancient noble lineage, with which one could claim the right to hold certain offices or the right to hunt on a royal estate.
Latviansenais
Senais is also used to describe something old-fashioned or outdated.
Lithuaniansenovės
Lithuanian "senovės" derives from the Proto-Baltic root *sen- "old" and the suffix *-ov- "abstraction".
Macedonianантички
The word "антички" could also refer to "antique" or "vintage" objects.
Polishstarożytny
The Polish word "starożytny" comes from the Proto-Slavic word "stàrů", meaning "old".
Romanianvechi
The term "vechi" ultimately derives from the Latin word "vetus" meaning "old".
Russianдревний
The word "древний" also means "primordial" or "ancient" in the sense of belonging to the very beginning of time.
Serbianпрастаре
The word "прастаре" is a combination of the Slavic roots "пра" (meaning "first" or "foremost") and "старе" (meaning "old"), which together signify something that is "oldest" or "existing from the very beginning."
Slovakstarodávny
The word "starodávny" in Slovak also means "old-fashioned" or "outdated".
Slovenianstarodavni
The root of "starodavni" means "to give" and the suffix "-n" indicates the agent of an action, thus the word originally meant "one who gives".
Ukrainianдревній
"Древній" can be used as a noun meaning "the past" or "the days of old."

Ancient in South Asian Languages

Bengaliপ্রাচীন
The word "প্রাচীন" can also mean "of long standing" or "venerable".
Gujaratiપ્રાચીન
The word “પ્રાચીન” comes from the Sanskrit word “प्राची’ (prācī) meaning ‘east’. It has come to mean ‘ancient’ because in ancient times, India was considered to be the easternmost part of the world.
Hindiप्राचीन
"प्राचीन" can also mean "eastern", "venerable", "old", or "forefather" in Hindi.
Kannadaಪ್ರಾಚೀನ
The word "ಪ್ರಾಚೀನ" in Kannada is also used to refer to traditional or conventional practices and ideas.
Malayalamപുരാതന
The word "പുരാതന" can also refer to someone or something that is worthy of respect or honor.
Marathiप्राचीन
Prachin also means "eastern" or "ancient" and is often used to refer to India's ancient Vedic texts.
Nepaliपुरानो
पुराना can also mean old, former, or out of date.
Punjabiਪ੍ਰਾਚੀਨ
The word "ਪ੍ਰਾਚੀਨ" (praachin) is also used to refer to something that is venerable or respected, or to something that is traditional or customary.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)පුරාණ
The word "පුරාණ" can also mean "long-established" and "old-fashioned" in Sinhala.
Tamilபண்டைய
The Tamil word "பண்டைய" also means "early" or "former" and is related to the word "பந்து" meaning "ball".
Teluguప్రాచీన
The word "ప్రాచీన" can also refer to the "east" or "ancient times."
Urduقدیم
The word "قدیم" ("ancient") in Urdu can also mean "eternal" or "old".

Ancient in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)
The character "古" can also mean "music" and is used as a prefix for many musical terms.
Chinese (Traditional)
古 means not only ancient, but also old, former, or the past
Japanese古代
In Japanese, "古代" also refers to the period of Japanese history from the 6th to the 9th centuries, the "Asuka" and "Nara" periods.
Korean고대
In Korean, the term "고대" (godae) originally meant "long ago", but it later acquired the connotation of "ancient times" and is now commonly used to describe historical periods.
Mongolianэртний
The word "эртний" can also mean "old" or "bygone".
Myanmar (Burmese)ရှေးဟောင်း

Ancient in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiankuno
The word "kuno" can also refer to something that is out-of-date or obsolete.
Javanesekuna
The word "kuna" in Javanese is derived from Sanskrit and also means "old" or "aged".
Khmerបុរាណ
The second most common meaning of the word is "ancient" with the implication that the object in question is also valuable or venerable.
Laoວັດຖຸບູຮານ
Malaykuno
In the Malay language the word "kuno" also means "old-fashioned" and "outdated".
Thaiโบราณ
The word “โบราณ” derives from Old Khmer “*braḥm” and “*ācān”, meaning “Brahman” and “teacher”, respectively, and was adopted into Thai during the Middle Khmer era
Vietnamesecổ xưa
"Cổ xưa" có nghĩa là có từ thời xa xưa hoặc mang phong cách của thời xa xưa.
Filipino (Tagalog)sinaunang

Ancient in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniqədim
The word "qədim" is also used to refer to "old age" or "antiquity" in Azerbaijani.
Kazakhежелгі
Ежелгі's other meanings are 'old-fashioned' and 'traditional'.
Kyrgyzбайыркы
The word "байыркы" can also mean "old" or "traditional" in Kyrgyz.
Tajikқадимӣ
The Persian-derived word "кадимӣ" means "past" in modern Tajik.
Turkmengadymy
Uzbekqadimiy
The word 'qadimiy' also means 'antiquated' or 'venerable'.
Uyghurقەدىمكى

Ancient in Pacific Languages

Hawaiiankahiko
Kahiko also refers to the traditional form of hula, Hawaiian music, and martial arts.
Maoritawhito
Tawhito also means "ancestor" in Maori, and is closely related to the word "tipuna".
Samoananamua
In Samoan, 'anamua' also refers to 'in the past' or 'formerly'.
Tagalog (Filipino)sinaunang
"Sinaunang" is the Tagalog word for "ancient," but it can also mean "old-fashioned" or "outdated."

Ancient in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaranayrja
Guaraniymaguare

Ancient in International Languages

Esperantoantikva
"Antikva" in Esperanto also refers to a type of typeface used to set Roman script.
Latinantiquorum
The Latin word "antiquorum" can refer to both "ancient things" and "ancestors".

Ancient in Others Languages

Greekαρχαίος
The word 'αρχαίος' also means 'original' or 'primitive' in Greek.
Hmongthaum ub
The word "thaum ub" is also used to describe things that are mysterious or magical.
Kurdishkevnar
The word "kevnar" also denotes something that is "great" or "magnanimous".
Turkishantik
In Turkish, "Antik" can also refer to a valuable or collectible object.
Xhosamandulo
The word "mandulo" also means "forefather" in Xhosa.
Yiddishאלטע
In Yiddish, "אלטע" can also mean "elderly woman."
Zululasendulo
The word 'lasendulo' in Zulu can also refer to something that has been passed down through generations or that is regarded as traditional.
Assameseপৌৰাণিক
Aymaranayrja
Bhojpuriपुरान
Dhivehiއިހު ޒަމާނުގެ
Dogriप्राचीन
Filipino (Tagalog)sinaunang
Guaraniymaguare
Ilocanodaan
Kriool
Kurdish (Sorani)کۆن
Maithiliपुरातन
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯑꯔꯤꯕ
Mizohmanlai
Oromodur
Odia (Oriya)ପ୍ରାଚୀନ
Quechuañawpaq
Sanskritपुरातनः
Tatarборынгы
Tigrinyaጥንታዊ
Tsongakhale

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