Updated on March 6, 2024
An 'artist' is a individual who possesses a natural creative talent, often expressed through various forms of art such as painting, sculpture, music, or literature. Artists have played a pivotal role in shaping cultures and civilizations, providing a visual and auditory narrative of human history.
Throughout the ages, artists have been revered for their ability to evoke emotions, challenge perceptions, and inspire new ideas. From the ancient Greek sculptors to the modern digital artists, these individuals have continuously pushed the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
Understanding the translation of the word 'artist' in different languages not only broadens our vocabulary but also offers a glimpse into how different cultures perceive and appreciate art. For instance, in Spanish, an artist is 'artista', while in French, it is 'artiste'. In Mandarin, the term is '艺术家' (yìshùjiā), and in Japanese, it is 'アーティスト' (ātisuto).
Join us as we explore the translations of the word 'artist' in various languages, providing a fascinating journey into the world of culture and creativity.
Afrikaans | kunstenaar | ||
The word "kunstenaar" in Afrikaans ultimately derives from the Latin word "ars", meaning "art", and has the same root as the English word "art." | |||
Amharic | አርቲስት | ||
Etymology: From Greek 'artein', meaning 'to fit' and '-ist', meaning 'one who does'. | |||
Hausa | mai fasaha | ||
The word 'mai fasaha' literally means 'one with eloquence' or 'one who possesses eloquence.' | |||
Igbo | omenkà | ||
The Igbo word "omenkà" also means "one who knows how to create" or "one who has knowledge of how to make something" | |||
Malagasy | mpanakanto | ||
In Malagasy, "mpanakanto" can also refer to a performer or a musician. | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | wojambula | ||
Wojambula derives from the root "jambula", meaning to paint, draw, or decorate. | |||
Shona | mhizha | ||
The word 'mhizha' can also refer to a sorcerer or diviner in Shona. | |||
Somali | fanaanka | ||
The Somali word "fanaanka" originated from the Arabic word "fannan" meaning "one who creates". | |||
Sesotho | sebini | ||
The word "sebini" can also refer to a talented person or a craftsman in Sesotho. | |||
Swahili | msanii | ||
Msanii, meaning 'artist' in Swahili, is derived from the verb '-sanaa', which means 'to create' or 'craft'. It is also related to the word 'sanaa', which refers to art in a broader sense, encompassing not only artistic expression but also skills and techniques. | |||
Xhosa | umzobi | ||
'Umzobi' literally means 'one who paints' in Xhosa, as 'zoba' means 'to paint'. | |||
Yoruba | olorin | ||
In certain dialects of Yoruba, the word "olorin" can also mean "singer" or "musician." | |||
Zulu | umculi | ||
Umculi, the Zulu word for artist, also refers to a diviner who heals through music. | |||
Bambara | jadilanna | ||
Ewe | nutala | ||
Kinyarwanda | umuhanzi | ||
Lingala | artiste | ||
Luganda | omuyimbi | ||
Sepedi | moraloki | ||
Twi (Akan) | dwontoni | ||
Arabic | فنان | ||
The Arabic word "فنان" also refers to a skilled performer or entertainer. | |||
Hebrew | אמן | ||
Hebrew word אמן (artist) shares an etymological root with the word אמונה (belief), suggesting a connection between artistic expression and the ability to shape reality through faith and imagination. | |||
Pashto | هنرمند | ||
The word "هنرمند" can also refer to someone who creates or performs artistic or cultural works in a traditional or folk context, such as a musician, dancer, or artisan. | |||
Arabic | فنان | ||
The Arabic word "فنان" also refers to a skilled performer or entertainer. |
Albanian | artist | ||
The Albanian word "artist", derived from the Latin "artista", originally referred to artisans and craftsmen, but its meaning has since expanded to encompass visual artists, musicians, and performers. | |||
Basque | artista | ||
Basque 'artista' is related to the Spanish and French word artiste. | |||
Catalan | artista | ||
The Catalan word "artista" originally referred to a skilled worker or artisan but has since come to mean "artist" in the modern sense. | |||
Croatian | umjetnik | ||
The term 'umjetnik' also carries the meanings 'a person who is not an amateur in some area' and 'a person who engages in some kind of trickery'. | |||
Danish | kunstner | ||
The Danish word "kunstner" also means "craftsman" or "artificer". | |||
Dutch | artiest | ||
The Dutch word "artiest" can also refer to someone who is very skilled or talented in a particular field. | |||
English | artist | ||
The word "artist" derives from the French word "artiste" (17th century), and ultimately from the Latin word "ars" (art). | |||
French | artiste | ||
In French, the word "artiste" also refers to a circus performer or a member of the entertainment industry. | |||
Frisian | artyst | ||
The Frisian "artyst" comes from Late Latin "artista" (craftsman, skilled worker) and carries a neutral connotation, in contrast to "keunstner". | |||
Galician | artista | ||
The Galician word "artista" can also mean "craftsman", "artisan", or "skilled worker". | |||
German | künstler | ||
The word "Künstler" is derived from the Middle High German word "kunstenaere", meaning "one who knows or practices a skill". | |||
Icelandic | listamaður | ||
In Old Norse, the word “listamaður” referred to someone who was skilled in runes or magic. | |||
Irish | ealaíontóir | ||
Italian | artista | ||
The Italian word "artista" comes from Latin "ars" (art), related to Greek "arête" (excellence). | |||
Luxembourgish | kënschtler | ||
The word "Kënschtler" is derived from the French word "connaisseur" meaning "expert" or "one who appreciates art." | |||
Maltese | artist | ||
The word "artist" derives from the Greek word "arstistes," which means "worker" or "craftsman." | |||
Norwegian | kunstner | ||
In German, 'Kunstner' is derived from 'kanst' meaning 'knowledge' or 'skill', while in Norwegian it primarily refers to 'artist' or 'creative individual'. | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | artista | ||
In Portuguese, the word "artista" can also refer to a craftsman or artisan. | |||
Scots Gaelic | neach-ealain | ||
"Neach-ealain" is an Old Irish word, meaning "a person who belongs to art" or "a person who is a craftsman". | |||
Spanish | artista | ||
The word 'artista' in Spanish can also refer to a craftsman or artisan, especially one who creates works of art with their hands. | |||
Swedish | konstnär | ||
The word "konstnär" originally meant "craftsman" in Swedish, but has come to mean "artist" in a more general sense. | |||
Welsh | arlunydd | ||
The word 'arlunydd' can also mean 'skilful one' or 'craftsman', reflecting the broader meaning of the word 'art' in Welsh. |
Belarusian | мастак | ||
The word "мастак" has a root meaning of "doing well" or "being able to do something", which reflects the skill and craftsmanship associated with artists. | |||
Bosnian | umjetnik | ||
The word 'umjetnik' is derived from the Slavic word 'umet', which means 'skill' or 'knowledge'. | |||
Bulgarian | художник | ||
The word "художник" also means "painter" and "draughtsman" in Bulgarian. | |||
Czech | umělec | ||
The word "umělec" also means "artisan" or "craftsman" in Czech. | |||
Estonian | kunstnik | ||
The word "kunstnik" in Estonian is derived from the German word "Kunst", meaning "art" or "skill", and was first used in the 16th century. | |||
Finnish | taiteilija | ||
"Taiteilija" is derived from "taito" meaning "skill" or "craft" and can also refer to an artisan or craftsperson. | |||
Hungarian | művész | ||
The word "művész" in Hungarian derives from the Old Slavic word "uměti" meaning "to know, to be able to". | |||
Latvian | mākslinieks | ||
The Latvian word “mākslinieks” was borrowed from the German word “Mahler”, but is cognate to the English “painter” or “make”. | |||
Lithuanian | menininkas | ||
The word "menininkas" comes from the Proto-Germanic word "*menþaz", which originally meant "man". | |||
Macedonian | уметник | ||
"Уметник" comes from the Slavic root *um-*, meaning "to know", and is related to words like "ум" (mind), "умение" (skill), and "ученый" (scientist). | |||
Polish | artysta | ||
The word "artysta" in Polish can also mean "artisan" or "craftsman". | |||
Romanian | artist | ||
In Romanian, "artist" also refers to a skilled craftsman or artisan. | |||
Russian | художник | ||
The word 'художник' can also mean 'painter', 'master craftsman', or 'creator' in Russian. | |||
Serbian | уметник | ||
The Serbian word "umetnik" originates from the Old Slavic verb "umet'i", meaning "to know how" or "to be able", implying mastery of a craft. | |||
Slovak | umelec | ||
The word "umelec" originally referred to a craftsman or artisan, and only later came to mean "artist" in the modern sense. | |||
Slovenian | umetnik | ||
The word "umetnik" originally referred to a skilled craftsman or artisan, but later took on the meaning of "artist" in the sense of a creative or fine artist. | |||
Ukrainian | художник | ||
The Ukrainian word "художник" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "*xudъ", meaning "skill" or "craft". |
Bengali | শিল্পী | ||
An alternate meaning of "শিল্পী" is "a craftsman, especially a carpenter". | |||
Gujarati | કલાકાર | ||
The term "કલાકાર" originated from Sanskrit, in which "Kala" means "Art," and "kaar" means "maker." | |||
Hindi | कलाकार | ||
The word "कलाकार" can also refer to the concept of "performance," or the ability to execute a skill or art form in Hindi. | |||
Kannada | ಕಲಾವಿದ | ||
The word 'ಕಲಾವಿದ' (artist) is also used to refer to a 'craftsman' or 'artisan' in Kannada. | |||
Malayalam | ആർട്ടിസ്റ്റ് | ||
ആർട്ടിസ്റ്റ് is derived from the Sanskrit word 'artta', meaning 'worthy of support or patronage', and also refers to a skilled performer in performing arts like theatre or dance. | |||
Marathi | कलाकार | ||
The Marathi word 'kalakar' (कलाकार) is derived from the Sanskrit word 'kala' (कला) meaning 'art' or 'skill'. | |||
Nepali | कलाकार | ||
The word "कलाकार" is derived from the Sanskrit word "कला" (kala), meaning "art" or "skill." | |||
Punjabi | ਕਲਾਕਾਰ | ||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | කලාකරු | ||
In Sinhala, 'කලාකරු' ('artist') is derived from Sanskrit 'kalākāra' (artisan, craftsman) and also denotes a performer of a performing art. | |||
Tamil | கலைஞர் | ||
The Tamil word "கலைஞர்" can also refer to a skilled or knowledgeable person in a particular field. | |||
Telugu | కళాకారుడు | ||
The Telugu word "కళాకారుడు" (artist) can also mean "a person who is skilled in any branch of art, literature, or science."} | |||
Urdu | آرٹسٹ | ||
In Persian, the word "آرٹسٹ" (artist) originally referred to a designer or artisan, particularly one who specialized in decorative arts or calligraphy. |
Chinese (Simplified) | 艺术家 | ||
The word "艺术家" can also be translated as "craftsman", denoting someone skilled in a particular art or craft. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 藝術家 | ||
藝 refers to both art and skill, while 術 can mean method, technique, or art. | |||
Japanese | アーティスト | ||
The word 'artist' in Japanese (アーティスト) is derived from the French word 'artiste', meaning 'one who practices an art'. | |||
Korean | 예술가 | ||
예술가 can also mean "skilled person", or "professional". | |||
Mongolian | зураач | ||
The term 'зураач' is an antiquated term for 'artist', with the modern equivalent being 'уран зураач'. | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | အနုပညာရှင် | ||
Indonesian | artis | ||
The Indonesian word "artis" comes from the Dutch word "artiest" which means "performer" or "entertainer" | |||
Javanese | seniman | ||
In its original usage in Javanese, the word "seniman" referred exclusively to the top-ranking court official who oversaw all matters concerning the arts. | |||
Khmer | សិល្បករ | ||
The word សិល្បករ (silpakar) is derived from the Sanskrit word “silpi”, meaning “craftsman” or “builder”. | |||
Lao | ຈິດຕະນາການ | ||
It is derived from Sanskrit word citta-karana which means thought-making or imagination. | |||
Malay | artis | ||
The word "artis" also means "talent" in Malay, showcasing the multifaceted nature of artistic expression. | |||
Thai | ศิลปิน | ||
The word "ศิลปิน" (artist) in Thai can also refer to a skilled craftsman or artisan. | |||
Vietnamese | họa sĩ | ||
The word "họa sĩ" means "painter" in Vietnamese, but it can also mean "artist" in a broader sense, encompassing all visual artists. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | artista | ||
Azerbaijani | sənətkar | ||
The word "sənətkar" in Azerbaijani finds its roots in the Persian word "san'atkar," meaning "artisan, craftsman, or skilled worker." | |||
Kazakh | әртіс | ||
The word "әртіс" can also refer to an "actor" or a "performer" in Kazakh. | |||
Kyrgyz | сүрөтчү | ||
The word "сүрөтчү" can also mean "painter" or "illustrator" in Kyrgyz. | |||
Tajik | рассом | ||
The word "рассом" can also refer to a person who performs a particular task or role. | |||
Turkmen | suratkeş | ||
Uzbek | rassom | ||
The word "rassom" comes from the Persian word "rassam" which means "writer" or "drawer". It can also refer to a "craftsman" or "artisan". | |||
Uyghur | سەنئەتكار | ||
Hawaiian | mea pena kiʻi | ||
The Hawaiian word "mea pena kiʻi" literally means "picture-writing person". | |||
Maori | kaitoi | ||
The word "kaitoi" also refers to a Maori tattooist, who are considered to be artists in Maori culture. | |||
Samoan | atisi | ||
The word 'atisi' is also used in Samoan to refer to a 'craftsman' or 'skilled worker'. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | artista | ||
In Philippine political slang, "artista" means someone with limited ability for public office, as many entertainers have entered the field. |
Aymara | artista | ||
Guarani | temiporãhára | ||
Esperanto | artisto | ||
The word 'artisto' in Esperanto is derived from the Italian word 'artista' and also has the alternate meaning of 'artisan' or 'craftsman'. | |||
Latin | artifex | ||
The word "artifex" in Latin also denotes "craftsman" or "artisan." |
Greek | καλλιτέχνης | ||
The Greek word "καλλιτέχνης" (artist) literally means "one who practices beautiful craftsmanship" and can also refer to artisans or skilled craftsmen. | |||
Hmong | kos duab | ||
The Hmong word "kos duab" comes from the Chinese word "工匠", which means "artisan". | |||
Kurdish | hunermend | ||
The word "Hunermend" also means "skilled person" or "expert" in Kurdish. | |||
Turkish | sanatçı | ||
The word "sanatçı" in Turkish can also refer to a craftsman, or a skilled person in any field. | |||
Xhosa | umzobi | ||
'Umzobi' literally means 'one who paints' in Xhosa, as 'zoba' means 'to paint'. | |||
Yiddish | קינסטלער | ||
The Yiddish word "קינסטלער" (''kinstler'') originates from the German word "Künstler" and also means "craftsman" or "artisan". | |||
Zulu | umculi | ||
Umculi, the Zulu word for artist, also refers to a diviner who heals through music. | |||
Assamese | শিল্পী | ||
Aymara | artista | ||
Bhojpuri | कलाकार | ||
Dhivehi | އާޓިސްޓް | ||
Dogri | कलाकार | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | artista | ||
Guarani | temiporãhára | ||
Ilocano | artista | ||
Krio | pɔsin we de drɔ | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | هونەرمەند | ||
Maithili | कलाकार | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯂꯥꯏ ꯌꯦꯛꯄ ꯃꯤ | ||
Mizo | mi themthiam | ||
Oromo | aartistii | ||
Odia (Oriya) | କଳାକାର | ||
Quechua | takiq | ||
Sanskrit | कलाकार | ||
Tatar | рәссам | ||
Tigrinya | ኣርቲስት | ||
Tsonga | n'wavutshila | ||