Architect in Different Languages
Discover 'Architect' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
An architect is a true visionary, transforming ideas into tangible structures that shape our world. They hold the power to design buildings and spaces that not only meet functional needs but also inspire and delight those who use them. This cultural importance makes the word 'architect' a fascinating one to explore in different languages.
Did you know that the term 'architect' comes from the Greek word 'arkhitekton', meaning 'master builder'? Or that in Sanskrit, an ancient language of India, an architect is known as 'Vastu-shastra-acharya'? In Japan, the term 'kenchiku-sha' is used, which translates to 'building-master'. In Russia, an architect is called 'arkhitektor', while in Spain, the word is 'arquitecto'.
Understanding the translation of 'architect' in different languages can provide insight into the cultural significance of this profession around the world. Whether you're an architecture enthusiast, a language learner, or simply curious, join us as we explore the many translations of this important word.
Architect
Architect in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | argitek | ||
| Argitek is derived from the Greek word "arkhitekton", meaning "master builder" or "chief workman". | |||
| Amharic | አርክቴክት | ||
| The word አርክቴክት was originally used to describe a master builder or engineer in Amharic, but now it is commonly used to refer to an architect. | |||
| Hausa | m | ||
| In Hausa, "m" also means "a person who builds something", including a house, a fence, or a vehicle. | |||
| Igbo | onye na-ese ụkpụrụ ụlọ | ||
| Malagasy | mpanao mari-trano | ||
| Derived from the root word 'anao', meaning 'to build', 'mpanao mari-trano' literally translates to 'builder of houses'. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | wamanga | ||
| The word "wamanga" in Nyanja (Chichewa) is related to the word "manga," which means "to build." | |||
| Shona | architect | ||
| The word "architect" can also refer to a skilled craftsperson in Shona. | |||
| Somali | dhisme | ||
| The Somali word "dhisme" originated from the Arabic word "dahab" meaning "gold". | |||
| Sesotho | meralo | ||
| Meralo is also used to refer to someone who is clever and resourceful. | |||
| Swahili | mbunifu | ||
| It's also a word for 'designer' and 'sculptor' in Swahili languages. | |||
| Xhosa | umyili wezakhiwo | ||
| The word 'umyili wezakhiwo' is also used in Xhosa to mean 'designer' or 'maker'. | |||
| Yoruba | ayaworan | ||
| The word "ayaworan" can also refer to a painter or sculptor. | |||
| Zulu | umakhi | ||
| The Zulu word "umakhi" can also refer to a master builder or artisan who creates and constructs various objects and structures. | |||
| Bambara | pilan bɔla | ||
| Ewe | xɔtala | ||
| Kinyarwanda | umwubatsi | ||
| Lingala | architekte | ||
| Luganda | muzimbi | ||
| Sepedi | moatšhiteke | ||
| Twi (Akan) | akitɛte | ||
Architect in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | مهندس معماري | ||
| The word "مهندس معماري" is derived from the Arabic root "هندس" meaning "to measure" and "measure out". It also has the alternate meaning of "civil engineer". | |||
| Hebrew | אַדְרִיכָל | ||
| The term אדריכל (architect) in Hebrew is derived from the Aramaic word for 'master builder' | |||
| Pashto | معمار | ||
| The word "معمار" is derived from the Persian word "معماري" which refers to both "architecture" and "building". | |||
| Arabic | مهندس معماري | ||
| The word "مهندس معماري" is derived from the Arabic root "هندس" meaning "to measure" and "measure out". It also has the alternate meaning of "civil engineer". | |||
Architect in Western European Languages
| Albanian | arkitekt | ||
| Albanian "arkitekt" derives from Italian "architetto", itself from Latin "architectus", Greek "arkhitektōn" ("master builder"), from "arkhi-" ("chief") and "tekton" ("builder"). | |||
| Basque | arkitektoa | ||
| The Basque word "arkitektoa" is derived from the Greek word "arkhitekton" meaning "master builder". | |||
| Catalan | arquitecte | ||
| "Arquitectes", the architects in Catalan culture, were the main responsible for designing and carrying out the construction of public fountains in the towns and villages of the Catalan territories. | |||
| Croatian | arhitekt | ||
| The Croatian word 'arhitekt' derives from the Greek 'arkhitekton,' meaning 'master builder' or 'chief craftsman'. | |||
| Danish | arkitekt | ||
| Arkitekt, the Danish word for architect, shares etymological roots with the Greek arkitekton meaning "chief builder". | |||
| Dutch | architect | ||
| The Dutch word "architect" derives from the Greek "architekton", meaning "master builder" or "chief engineer". | |||
| English | architect | ||
| The Greek-derived term "architect" originally referred to the chief builder or civil engineer, which is reflected in its use in the English language until the early 19th century. | |||
| French | architecte | ||
| The French word "architecte" comes from the Greek words "arkhi" (chief) and "tekton" (builder), and in ancient Greece was used to describe the master craftsmen who oversaw the construction of temples and other important buildings. | |||
| Frisian | arsjitekt | ||
| In Frisian, the word "arsjitekt" has a primary meaning of "architect", but it can also mean "builder". | |||
| Galician | arquitecto | ||
| The word "arquitecto" in Galician has the same origin as the Spanish word "arquitecto", which in turn comes from the Latin word "architectus", meaning "master builder". | |||
| German | architekt | ||
| In German, the word "Architekt" can also refer to the chief engineer in a military unit | |||
| Icelandic | arkitekt | ||
| Architect in Icelandic is related to ark, arkist, arktetur, or arka, all referring to storage or chests. | |||
| Irish | ailtire | ||
| In Irish, 'ailtire' not only refers to architects but also to builders and carpenters. | |||
| Italian | architetto | ||
| In Italian, 'architetto' also refers to the chief builder of a ship, likely due to the shared principles of design and construction between architecture and shipbuilding. | |||
| Luxembourgish | architekt | ||
| In Luxembourgish, "Architekt" can also refer to a senior civil servant in the Ministry of Public Works. | |||
| Maltese | perit | ||
| It is the cognate of Arabic 'fannî', which is also found in Sicilian, Corsican and Logudorese with the same meaning. | |||
| Norwegian | arkitekt | ||
| Arkitekt also means a master builder, and has been used as a synonym for byggmester, 'builder'. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | arquiteto | ||
| The word "arquiteto" derives from the Greek "arkhitekton", meaning "master builder" | |||
| Scots Gaelic | ailtire | ||
| The Gaelic word "ailtire" is derived from the verb "ail" meaning "to build". | |||
| Spanish | arquitecto | ||
| Arquitectura (architecture) ultimately derives from the Greek "arch" meaning chief and "tekton" meaning carpenter, making the term literally mean "chief carpenter" in its etymology. | |||
| Swedish | arkitekt | ||
| The word "arkitekt" in Swedish comes from the Italian word "architetto", which means "chief builder." | |||
| Welsh | pensaer | ||
| The word "pensaer" derives from the Welsh word "pensaer," meaning "to think or consider." | |||
Architect in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | архітэктар | ||
| The word "архітэктар" comes from the Greek word "ἀρχιτέκτων," which means "master builder." | |||
| Bosnian | arhitekta | ||
| The Proto-Albanian root meaning of arhitekta is 'elder'. | |||
| Bulgarian | архитект | ||
| The word "архитект" in Bulgarian can also mean "designer" or "master builder". | |||
| Czech | architekt | ||
| In Czech, "architekt" also refers to a draftsman, surveyor, or constructor. | |||
| Estonian | arhitekt | ||
| The word "arhitekt" derives from the Ancient Greek word "architekton", meaning "chief builder or carpenter". | |||
| Finnish | arkkitehti | ||
| The word 'arkkitehti' comes from the Greek word 'arkhitektōn', meaning 'master builder'. | |||
| Hungarian | építészmérnök | ||
| The word "építészmérnök" is a combination of the Hungarian words "építész" (architect) and "mérnök" (engineer). | |||
| Latvian | arhitekts | ||
| The word "arhitekts" shares the same etymology and root as the Greek word "arkhitekton", meaning "chief builder". | |||
| Lithuanian | architektas | ||
| Derived from the Greek word "arkhitekton" (chief builder), it originally referred to master builders. | |||
| Macedonian | архитект | ||
| The Macedonian word "архитект" ultimately derives from the Greek "ἀρχιτέκτων" (arkhitekton), meaning "master builder". | |||
| Polish | architekt | ||
| In Polish, the word "architekt" also refers to a person who designs and constructs ships. | |||
| Romanian | arhitect | ||
| Romanian "arhitect" comes from Greek "arkhitekton", meaning "chief builder," and is also used to describe the person who oversees construction projects. | |||
| Russian | архитектор | ||
| The Russian word "архитектор" (architect) is derived from the Ancient Greek word "ἀρχιτέκτων" meaning "master builder" and has a similar origin as the English word. | |||
| Serbian | архитекта | ||
| The word "архитекта" (''arhitekta'') comes from the Latin word "architectus," which refers to a master or craftsman. | |||
| Slovak | architekt | ||
| The word "architekt" in Slovak also refers to a designer of computer systems or networks. | |||
| Slovenian | arhitekt | ||
| The word "arhitekt" in Slovenian originates from the Greek "architekton", which means "master builder". | |||
| Ukrainian | архітектор | ||
| The Ukrainian word "архітектор" (architect) goes back to the ancient Greek "arkhitekton," which also denotes "carpenter". | |||
Architect in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | স্থপতি | ||
| The word "স্থপতি" (sthapati) originated from the Sanskrit word "sthapati", which means "establisher" or "founder". | |||
| Gujarati | આર્કિટેક્ટ | ||
| The word 'આર્કિટેક્ટ' is derived from the Greek word 'arkhitekton', which means 'chief builder' or 'master craftsman'. | |||
| Hindi | वास्तुकार | ||
| The word वास्तुकार originates from the Sanskrit word 'vastu', meaning dwelling. | |||
| Kannada | ವಾಸ್ತುಶಿಲ್ಪಿ | ||
| "ವಾಸ್ತುಶಿಲ್ಪಿ" is also used to refer to a sculptor or an artist who creates idols for temples and other religious places. | |||
| Malayalam | ആർക്കിടെക്റ്റ് | ||
| In Malayalam, "ആർക്കിടെക്റ്റ്" can also refer to a person who designs and creates blueprints for buildings or structures. | |||
| Marathi | आर्किटेक्ट | ||
| The word 'आर्किटेक्ट' (architect) in Marathi also means 'master builder'. | |||
| Nepali | नक्शा वा रुपरेखा तयार पार्ने व्यक्ति | ||
| The word 'architect' derives from the Greek word 'arkhitekton', meaning 'master builder'. | |||
| Punjabi | ਆਰਕੀਟੈਕਟ | ||
| Derived from the Latin word 'architectus', meaning 'chief builder' or 'master builder', the word 'ਆਰਕੀਟੈਕਟ' broadly refers to a professional who designs and supervises the construction of buildings and other structures. | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | ගෘහ නිර්මාණ ශිල්පියා | ||
| Tamil | கட்டட வடிவமைப்பாளர் | ||
| Telugu | వాస్తుశిల్పి | ||
| The word "వాస్తుశిల్పి" literally means "one who shapes the abode", referring to the architectural design of homes and temples in ancient India. | |||
| Urdu | معمار | ||
| The word "معمار" ("architect") in Urdu, when broken down into its root words, means "to build"} | |||
Architect in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 建筑师 | ||
| The second character "筑" of "建筑师" also means "to establish", "to build", or "to construct." | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 建築師 | ||
| 建築師 is also a Taoist term for a master craftsman. | |||
| Japanese | 建築家 | ||
| In Japanese, the word "建築家" (kenchikuka) literally means "builder of structures". | |||
| Korean | 건축가 | ||
| "건축가(建축家)" is written with the hanja characters for "building" (建) and "house" (築), which literally means "person who builds houses". | |||
| Mongolian | архитектор | ||
| The word "архитектор" can also refer to a "master engineer" or "expert craftsman" in Mongolian. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | ဗိသုကာပညာရှင် | ||
Architect in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | arsitek | ||
| Arsitek is borrowed from the Dutch word "architect" which in turn comes from Greek "arkitekton" meaning "master builder." | |||
| Javanese | arsitek | ||
| "Arsitek" in Javanese can also mean "the one who holds up the world" or "the master of the earth." | |||
| Khmer | ស្ថាបត្យករ | ||
| Lao | ສະຖາປະນິກ | ||
| Malay | arkitek | ||
| In Malay, the word "arkitek" also carries the meaning of "designer" or "creator." | |||
| Thai | สถาปนิก | ||
| Although it directly translates to "architect", the word "สถาปนิก" also shares a close relation to the root word "สถาปนา" which means to "found" or "establish". | |||
| Vietnamese | kiến trúc sư | ||
| The word "kiến trúc sư" in Vietnamese can also refer to a building engineer or a draftsman. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | arkitekto | ||
Architect in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | memar | ||
| Memar can also mean 'builder' or a 'master', and is used for any person who has expertise in a particular field. | |||
| Kazakh | сәулетші | ||
| The term is also used for "planner" (of any sort). | |||
| Kyrgyz | архитектор | ||
| Kyrgyz "архитектор" comes from Greek "arkhitektōn" which means "chief builder," and also refers to designers of other buildings and structures in Russian, English, and French. | |||
| Tajik | меъмор | ||
| The word "меъмор" is derived from the Persian word "مهندس" (muhandis), meaning "engineer" or "mathematician." | |||
| Turkmen | arhitektor | ||
| Uzbek | me'mor | ||
| In addition to meaning architect, "me'mor" also means builder. | |||
| Uyghur | بىناكار | ||
Architect in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | kālaikūlohea | ||
| In Hawaiian, "kālaikūlohea" also means a "builder of canoes" and "the one in charge of carving out and shaping wood". | |||
| Maori | kaihoahoa | ||
| In Maori, `kaihoahoa` also denotes traditional knowledge holders with expertise in ancestral and indigenous design. | |||
| Samoan | tusiata | ||
| In Samoan folklore, "tusiata" was also used to refer to the gods who were responsible for creating the world and everything in it. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | arkitekto | ||
| Derived from the Spanish word "arquitecto," ultimately from the Greek "architekton," meaning "master builder." | |||
Architect in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | arkitiktu | ||
| Guarani | arquitecto | ||
Architect in International Languages
| Esperanto | arkitekto | ||
| The Esperanto word "arkitekto" is derived from the Latin word "architectus" and literally means "master builder or carpenter." | |||
| Latin | faber | ||
| In Latin, "faber" refers to skilled artisans and craftsmen, including workers in wood, metal, and stone. | |||
Architect in Others Languages
| Greek | αρχιτέκτονας | ||
| The word αρχιτέκτονας (architect) derives from the Greek words αρχι (chief) and τέκτων (builder). | |||
| Hmong | kws kes duab vajtse | ||
| The term "kws kes duab vajtse" is also used to refer to a skilled artisan who specializes in designing and constructing traditional Hmong houses. | |||
| Kurdish | mîmar | ||
| The Kurdistani word “mîmar,” meaning “architect,” is derived from the Persian word “me’mar” and the Arabic word “mi’mar,” both signifying “builder”. | |||
| Turkish | mimar | ||
| The word 'mimar' derives from the Arabic 'ma'mar', meaning 'building' or 'construction'. | |||
| Xhosa | umyili wezakhiwo | ||
| The word 'umyili wezakhiwo' is also used in Xhosa to mean 'designer' or 'maker'. | |||
| Yiddish | אַרכיטעקט | ||
| The Yiddish word אַרכיטעקט is also used to describe someone who is very skilled in a particular subject. | |||
| Zulu | umakhi | ||
| The Zulu word "umakhi" can also refer to a master builder or artisan who creates and constructs various objects and structures. | |||
| Assamese | স্থপতিবিদ | ||
| Aymara | arkitiktu | ||
| Bhojpuri | वास्तुकार | ||
| Dhivehi | އާކިޓެކްޓް | ||
| Dogri | शिल्पकार | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | arkitekto | ||
| Guarani | arquitecto | ||
| Ilocano | arkitekto | ||
| Krio | pɔsin we de bil | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | تەلارساز | ||
| Maithili | वास्तुकार | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯃꯑꯣꯡ ꯃꯇꯧ ꯌꯥꯠꯄ | ||
| Mizo | duangtu | ||
| Oromo | ogeessa dizaayinii | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ସ୍ଥପତି | ||
| Quechua | arquitecto | ||
| Sanskrit | वास्तुकार | ||
| Tatar | архитектор | ||
| Tigrinya | ኣርክቴክት | ||
| Tsonga | mupulani wa tindlu | ||