Apple in different languages

Apple in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

Ah, the humble apple! A fruit of significance and cultural importance that has captured the hearts and taste buds of people around the world. From the biblical story of Adam and Eve to the legendary tale of Newton's discovery of gravity, apples have played a starring role in many stories and legends. They're also a popular symbol of knowledge, temptation, and teachers, as seen in the famous proverb, 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away.'

But did you know that the word for apple varies greatly across different languages? For instance, in Spanish, it's 'manzana,' while in German, it's 'Apfel.' In Russian, it's 'яблоко' (yabloko), and in Japanese, it's 'りんご' (ringo). These translations not only offer insight into the linguistic diversity of the world but also provide a glimpse into the cultural significance of apples in different regions.

So, whether you're a language enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or simply curious about the world around you, exploring the translations of the word 'apple' is a fun and fascinating way to deepen your understanding of global cultures and languages.

Apple


Apple in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansappel
"Appel" also means "to appeal" in Afrikaans.
Amharicፖም
The word "pom" can also refer to the fruit of the "cordia africana" tree or the "ficus sycomorus" tree in Amharic.
Hausaapple
The Hausa word for "apple", **àlpà,** is also a type of tree.
Igboapụl
The word "apụl" has the same etymology as the word "àpịá", which means "fruit".
Malagasypaoma
The Malagasy word 'paoma' is cognate with the Malay word 'pama', which means 'fruit'
Nyanja (Chichewa)apulosi
The word "apulosi" in Nyanja (Chichewa) is derived from the Portuguese word "mapolossi", meaning "apple from Portugal".
Shonaapuro
In the Shona language, 'apuro' can refer to the fruit we know as an 'apple', or it can be used as a collective term for any round, fleshy fruit.
Somalitufaax
The word "tufaax" originates from the Arabic word "tuffaḥ" meaning "apple" or "young deer."
Sesothoapole
The name given to a traditional beer, and to the round-bottomed pot used for serving beer
Swahiliapple
In Swahili, "apple" can also mean "knowledge" or "poison."
Xhosaapile
The word 'apile' also means 'to be red' or 'to turn red' in Xhosa.
Yorubaapu
In Yoruba, the word "Apu" means "fruit" or "seed" and can refer to a broad range of edible plant products.
Zului-apula
"I-apula" is also the Zulu word for "fruit" and is cognate with "apula" (fruit) in Xhosa.
Bambarapɔmu
Eweapel
Kinyarwandapome
Lingalapomme
Lugandaekibala
Sepediapola
Twi (Akan)aprɛ

Apple in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicتفاحة
In some Arabic dialects, "تفاحة" (apple) can also refer to the "iris" of the eye.
Hebrewתפוח עץ
The Hebrew word "תפוח עץ" can also mean "orange" or "citron", and derives from the root word for "swollen".
Pashtoم appleه
"م appleه" is also used to refer to the pupil of the eye in Pashto.
Arabicتفاحة
In some Arabic dialects, "تفاحة" (apple) can also refer to the "iris" of the eye.

Apple in Western European Languages

Albanianmollë
In Gheg Albanian, "mollë" can also refer to a quince, while in Tosk Albanian it can refer to a pear or quince.
Basquesagarra
Its meaning and etymology have also been related to "fire" and "heat".
Catalanpoma
The word "poma" in Catalan is of Latin origin and also refers to a spherical or round shape in other contexts.
Croatianjabuka
The word jabuka also means the 'Adam's apple', which in Croatian is called 'Škilj'. Similar words exist in most Slavic languages.
Danishæble
The Danish word 'æble' is derived from the Proto-Germanic word 'aplaz,' meaning 'fruit' or 'apple-like'
Dutchappel
The Dutch word 'appel' also refers to the pupil of the eye and to the peduncle of fruit.
Englishapple
Though "apple" only refers to the fruit of _Malus domestica_ in modern English, it once referred to _any_ pome fruit (e.g. quince, pear) or even generic fruit or seed.
Frenchpomme
The French word "Pomme" can also refer to a doorknob, a type of potato, or a perfume bottle.
Frisianappel
The Frisian word "appel" (apple) can also refer to certain varieties of potato or pumpkin
Galicianmazá
The Galician word "mazá" has Celtic origins, and also means "mace" or "hammer" in some contexts.
Germanapfel
The term "Apfel" stems from the Indo-European word "ab-el", meaning "something sour and round" and is related to the Latin "pomum" and Irish "ub-ul".
Icelandicepli
The word "epli" can also refer to a type of Icelandic horse, or a type of Icelandic wooden drinking cup.
Irishúll
Úll is derived from Proto-Celtic *ablo-, which also meant fruit or berry.
Italianmela
'Mela' is also the name given to an Italian variety of apple.
Luxembourgishäppel
"Äppel" in Luxembourgish is of proto-Germanic origin, akin to the English "apple" and also means "ball" in the context of juggling.
Maltesetuffieħ
The origin of the Maltese word for 'apple', 'tuffieħ', is unclear, possibly deriving from the Arabic 'tuffāḥ' or the Latin 'malum'}
Norwegianeple
In some dialects of Norwegian, "eple" can also refer to the fruit of the pear tree, while "pære" refers to the fruit of the apple tree.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)maçã
In Portuguese, the word "maçã" originates from the Latin "malum matianum" (apple from Mattia), a type of apple highly praised by the Romans and grown in the province of Tuscia, Italy.
Scots Gaelicubhal
In Scottish Gaelic, the word "ubhal" can also refer to a "wild apple" or "crabapple".
Spanishmanzana
The word 'manzana' derives from the Latin 'malum', meaning 'evil' or 'poison', due to its similarity to the forbidden fruit of the Garden of Eden.
Swedishäpple
Swedish "äpple" derives from Old Norse "epli" and is related to Latin "mālum" and Old English "æppel"
Welshafal
The Welsh word 'afal' comes from the Latin 'abellum', meaning 'little apple'.

Apple in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianяблык
The word "яблык" comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₂éḱm̥h₃kos, which also gave rise to the English word "apple" and the Latin word "mālum".
Bosnianjabuka
"Jabuka" is also a term of endearment in Bosnian, usually used between lovers or close friends.
Bulgarianябълка
The word "ябълка" is also used to refer to the Adam's apple in Bulgarian, and it has the same Indo-European root as "apple": "h₂éḱwobh₂".
Czechjablko
The word "jablko" in Czech is cognate with the word "yabloko" in Russian and "ябълка" in Bulgarian, which all ultimately derive from the Proto-Slavic word *jъblъko*.
Estonianõun
The word "õun" is thought to be derived from the Old Germanic word "aþal" (apple) and is related to the Russian word "yablonko" (apple tree).
Finnishomena
'Omena' is the word for 'apple' in Finnish and also refers to a fruit-bearing deciduous tree.
Hungarianalma
The Hungarian word "alma" not only means apple, but also soul, life and memory, all likely deriving from the proto-Uralic "älmä" or "jälmä", meaning "life".
Latvianābolu
Latvian “ābolu” has cognates in other Baltic languages, e.g., Lithuanian “obuolys” and Old Prussian “abalis”, and may be related to Sanskrit “ā́plava” (“fruit”), indicating a potential Indo-European origin.
Lithuanianobuolys
"Obuolys" is cognate with Old Prussian "abalis" and Slavic "jablko.
Macedonianјаболко
The Macedonian word "јаболко" (apple) is thought to be derived from the Proto-Slavic "*jablko" and is related to the Latin "malum" (apple).
Polishjabłko
The Polish word "jabłko" also means "target" and might be related to the verb "to hit" in Old Church Slavonic, as apples were traditionally used as targets.
Romanianmăr
The Romanian word "măr" can also refer to a kind of snake or a type of wild cherry.
Russianяблоко
As a Slavic word, "яблоко" also refers to other fruits and sometimes the whole harvest of a particular plant or tree.
Serbianјабука
In Serbian, the word "јабука" can also refer to the throat or a type of cannon.
Slovakjablko
"Jablko" in Slovak also refers to an apple-shaped pendant on traditional folk jewelry, or can mean a target in archery or shooting practice.
Slovenianjabolko
Jabolko, the Slovenian word for "apple", is also used to refer to the pupil of the eye or the pommel of a sword.
Ukrainianяблуко
The word "яблуко" also refers to the pupil of an eye, a target, or a symbol of temptation or forbidden knowledge.

Apple in South Asian Languages

Bengaliআপেল
The word 'আপেল' is derived from the Latin word 'pomum', meaning 'fruit'.
Gujaratiસફરજન
The word 'સફરજન' ('apple') shares its Indo-Aryan origin with 'apple' but also connotes other fruits like pears and quince.
Hindiसेब
The word "सेब" (apple) comes from the Persian word "sib" meaning "fruit" and is also used to refer to other round fruits like quince, pear, or apricot.
Kannadaಸೇಬು
The word "ಸೇಬು" can also refer to the fruit of the "Aegle marmelos" tree, commonly known as the "bael" fruit.
Malayalamആപ്പിൾ
The word "ആപ്പിൾ" originates from the Sanskrit word "आप" (āpa), meaning "water" or "juice", and is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₂ep- "to draw water, flow."
Marathiसफरचंद
In Marathi, "सफरचंद" likely derives from Persian "sifri" meaning "copper" or alternatively "sifarjal" meaning "quince."
Nepaliस्याऊ
"स्याऊ" originated from the Nepali version of the Sanskrit word "सेब" (seb), which later evolved to the Newari word "स्याः" (syah) and finally "स्याऊ" (syau).
Punjabiਸੇਬ
The word "ਸੇਬ" (apple) in Punjabi likely originated from the Persian word "سیب" (sib), which means both "apple" and "quince". In some dialects of Punjabi, "ਸੇਬ" can also refer to a type of plum or apricot.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)ඇපල්
In Sinhala, the word "ඇපල්" can also refer to the fruit of the wood apple tree, known as "limda" in English.
Tamilஆப்பிள்
The word 'ஆப்பிள்' ('apple') is derived from the Proto-Dravidian word 'appal', meaning 'a round fruit'.
Teluguఆపిల్
ఆపిల్ (āpil) comes from Sanskrit "āpivāla", and refers both to the apple and to the apricot.
Urduسیب
The Urdu word "سیب" can also mean a dimple or mark on the skin.

Apple in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)苹果
苹果 originally meant "crab apple" and is unrelated to the fruit known as the "apple" in English.
Chinese (Traditional)蘋果
The Chinese character "蘋果" is often used in Chinese medicine to refer to a specific type of fruit that is similar to an apple, but is not the same.
Japanese林檎
The word "林檎" (apple) in Japanese originally referred to a type of fruit from the rose family, but now it refers to apples in general.
Korean사과
In Middle Korean, “사과” (sapgwa) referred to any of the various pome fruits with numerous seeds that grow on trees: pomegranates, quinces, crabapples, and jujubes.
Mongolianалим
The word "алим" can also refer to the fruit of the pear tree in Mongolian.
Myanmar (Burmese)ပန်းသီး
In Myanmar, "ပန်းသီး" also refers to the fruit of the custard apple tree, a different species from the common apple.

Apple in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianapel
The Indonesian word "apel" is derived from the Dutch word "appel", which refers to the fruit, as well as meetings and assemblies.
Javaneseapel
The Javanese word "apel" can also mean "roll call" or "parade", derived from the Dutch word "appel" with the same meaning.
Khmerផ្លែប៉ោម
ផ្លែប៉ោម in Khmer, originally referred to pomegranates and was adopted to refer to apples in modern usage.
Laoຫມາກໂປມ
It is the word for any round fruit with edible flesh and a central core containing seeds in Lao.
Malayepal
The word "epal" in Malay can also mean "to boast"
Thaiแอปเปิ้ล
แอปเปิ้ล (apple) ชื่อวิทยาศาสตร์คือ Malus domestica ซึ่งมีรากศัพท์มาจากภาษากรีกคำว่า
Vietnamesetáo
The word “táo” in Vietnamese is derived from the Chinese word “ táo táo”, representing different meanings like “peach”, “plum”, or “date”.
Filipino (Tagalog)mansanas

Apple in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanialma
In Azerbaijani, "alma" can also refer to a "face" or "appearance".
Kazakhалма
"Алма" in Kazakh originates from the Persian word "sieb" and can also refer to a city in Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzалма
The word "алма" in Kyrgyz is derived from the Proto-Turkic word "*almaŋ, meaning "apple", and is cognate with the Kazakh "алма" and the Turkish "elma".
Tajikсеб
The word "себ" in Tajik refers to the fruit and the colour that it is, which has been borrowed from Persian.
Turkmenalma
Uzbekolma
The word "olma" in Uzbek also refers to the fruit of the pear tree.
Uyghurئالما

Apple in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianʻāpala
In Hawaiian, ʻāpala also refers to a certain citrus called 'pummelo' (Citrus maxima) which is a much different fruit from what English-speakers know as an 'apple'.
Maoriaporo
"Aporo" in Maori is derived from the Proto-Polynesian word "*po" meaning "fruit of the tree".
Samoanapu
In Samoan, 'apu' shares the same root word with 'ʻafu,' meaning 'to protect' or 'to shelter,' suggesting a symbolic connection between the fruit and its nourishing qualities.
Tagalog (Filipino)mansanas
"Mansanas" is a Spanish word for apple that was borrowed into Tagalog during the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines.

Apple in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaramansana
Guaranigjuavirana'a

Apple in International Languages

Esperantopomo
In Esperanto, “pomo” can also refer to a computer or a person’s head.
Latinmalum
**Malum:** (Latin) "apple." Also, "evil" or "bad."

Apple in Others Languages

Greekμήλο
The Greek word "μήλο" also signifies "sheep" or "flock", and it is cognate with Latin "mālum" and English "malt".
Hmongkua
In some dialects of Hmong, "kua" can also refer to fruit in general.
Kurdishsêv
The Kurdish word "sêv" is etymologically linked to the Indo-European root *seb-, which also gives rise to "apple" in English.
Turkishelma
The word "elma" also means "target" in Turkish, originating from the Ottoman Turkish word "alm" (Arabic: علم) meaning "flag" or "standard".
Xhosaapile
The word 'apile' also means 'to be red' or 'to turn red' in Xhosa.
Yiddishעפּל
In some Yiddish dialects, "עפּל" (epl) means "potato" or even "any tuberous vegetable".
Zului-apula
"I-apula" is also the Zulu word for "fruit" and is cognate with "apula" (fruit) in Xhosa.
Assameseআপেল
Aymaramansana
Bhojpuriसेब
Dhivehiއާފަލު
Dogriस्येऊ
Filipino (Tagalog)mansanas
Guaranigjuavirana'a
Ilocanomansanas
Krioapul
Kurdish (Sorani)سێو
Maithiliसेब
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯁꯦꯝ
Mizoapple
Oromoappilii
Odia (Oriya)ଆପଲ୍
Quechuamanzana
Sanskritसेवफल
Tatarалма
Tigrinyaመለ
Tsongaapula

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