Attract in different languages

Attract in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'attract' holds a significant place in our vocabulary, denoting the ability to draw something or someone towards oneself due to a compelling quality or force. This concept is not only crucial in our personal lives but also plays a pivotal role in various fields such as marketing, physics, and biology.

Culturally, the idea of attraction has been explored and celebrated in numerous ways across the globe. From ancient myths and legends to modern literature and media, the power of attraction has always been a fascinating subject. Moreover, understanding how to say 'attract' in different languages can help us appreciate the diverse linguistic and cultural perspectives on this universal concept.

For instance, in Spanish, 'attract' is 'atraer', while in French, it is 'attirer'. In German, the word is 'anziehen', and in Japanese, it is '引きつける (hikitsukeru)'. These translations not only reveal linguistic nuances but also offer insights into how different cultures perceive and express the concept of attraction.

In this article, we delve into the translations of 'attract' in various languages, shedding light on the fascinating world of linguistic and cultural diversity.

Attract


Attract in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaanslok
Lok also means 'bait' or 'lure' (for hunting or fishing).
Amharicመሳብ
The word 'መሳብ' can also mean 'to tempt' or 'to charm'.
Hausajawo hankalin
The word "jawo hankali" can also mean "to pay attention" or "to be aware of" in Hausa.
Igbona-adọta
The verb "na-adọta" in Igbo also means "to desire" or "to long for".
Malagasymahasarika
The word "mahasarika" in Malagasy has its roots in the old Indonesian "asar" meaning "smoke".
Nyanja (Chichewa)kukopa
"Kukopa" can also mean "to call" or "to summon" in Nyanja.
Shonakukwezva
The word "kukwezva" can also mean "to call upon" or "to invite."
Somalisoo jiito
The word 'soo jiito' can also mean 'to entice' or 'to persuade'.
Sesothohohela
The Sesotho word "hohela" can also mean "to tempt" or "to entice."
Swahilikuvutia
The verb "kuvutia" is derived from the root "vut", meaning "to pull or drag".
Xhosatsala
The word "tsala" in Xhosa can also mean "to invite" or "to summon".
Yorubafa
The word 'fa' can also mean 'to hunt' or 'to kill' in Yoruba.
Zuluukuheha
The Zulu word `ukuheha` is derived from the Bantu root *ku-keka*, meaning "pull" or "stretch" and also appears in several southern Khoisan languages, e.g. |'aa-|xam "take away; take possession of; capture", |xam: "drag".
Bambaralasamali
Ewehe
Kinyarwandagukurura
Lingalakobenda
Lugandaokusikiriza
Sepediba le maatlakgogedi
Twi (Akan)twe

Attract in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicجذب
The word "جذب" also means "to pull" or "to drag" in Arabic, and comes from the root word "جذب" which means "to pull" or "to drag".
Hebrewלִמְשׁוֹך
"לִמְשׁוֹך" can also mean to pull, derive, or delay.
Pashtoمتوجه کیدل
The word "متوجه کیدل" ("attract") in Pashto also means "to cause to turn or move in a particular direction".
Arabicجذب
The word "جذب" also means "to pull" or "to drag" in Arabic, and comes from the root word "جذب" which means "to pull" or "to drag".

Attract in Western European Languages

Albaniantërheq
The Albanian word "tërheq" is an example of back-formation: the original verb form "tërhiq" was shortened to "tërheq" and then reinterpreted with a new ending "-eq" to create a new noun meaning "attraction".
Basqueerakarri
Erakarri also means to "bring" in Basque (as in "bringing" someone to a place).
Catalanatreure
The word "atreure" comes from the Latin "attrahere", meaning "to draw to oneself".
Croatianprivući
'Privući' can also mean 'to pull', 'to drag', or 'to draw'.
Danishat tiltrække
The verb "at tiltrække" is the Danish translation of the German "anziehen", which can both mean "to attract" or "to put on clothes".
Dutchaantrekken
The word “aantrekken” in Dutch not only means to attract, but also to put on clothing
Englishattract
The word "attract" comes from the Latin word "attrahere," meaning "to draw or drag."
Frenchattirer
The French word "attirer" also means "to arouse interest or attention" or "to lure or entice".
Frisianoanlûke
The Frisian word "oanlûke" comes from the Dutch "aanlokken" and the older German "anlocken" which both mean "to allure".
Galicianatraer
The Galician word 'atraer' ('attract') comes from the Latin word 'trahere' ('to drag, to pull').
Germananziehen
Anziehen in German also means "to put on" clothing.
Icelandicaðlaða
The word 'aðlaða' is derived from the same Old Norse root as the English word 'allure', meaning 'to entice' or 'to seduce'.
Irishmhealladh
Italianattirare
"Attirare" derives from the Latin verb "adtrahere". It also means "to tow" or "to drag".
Luxembourgishunzezéien
"Unzezéien" is derived from the Old French word "enchacier" which means "to drive out" or "to chase away". It is also used to describe a person who is very active or excitable.
Maltesetattira
The word "tattira" in Maltese, meaning "attract," may originate from the Arabic word "tatarra" (to allure) or the Italian word "attrarre" (to draw near).
Norwegiantiltrekke
Tiltrekke is cognate with English "trick" and "intrigue".
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)atrai
"Atrai" (Portuguese) comes from the Latin "attrahere" (to draw towards), from "ad" (towards) and "trahere" (to draw).
Scots Gaelictàladh
The Scots Gaelic word "tàladh" has its roots in the Old Irish "talam" meaning "treasure" or "wealth".
Spanishatraer
From Latin adtrahere, meaning “to draw or drag to,” from ad-, “to,” + trahere, “to draw.”
Swedishlocka till sig
The Swedish word "locka till sig" literally means "lure to oneself".
Welshdenu
The word "denu" in Welsh is also used to mean "to entice" or "to lure."

Attract in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianпрыцягваць
Прыцягваць could also mean "bring," "move to oneself," or "get something closer".
Bosnianprivući
"Pivući" also means “to pull, to drag, to draw.”
Bulgarianпривличам
The word "привличам" also means "to entice", "to lure", or "to pull towards" in Bulgarian.
Czechpřilákat
Czech word "přilákat" derives from "lákadlo" („lure“), akin to Sanskrit "lad" ("sport, play").
Estonianmeelitama
The word "meelitama" comes from the Proto-Finnic word "*meeli-ta-ma-, meaning "to be pleasing to".
Finnishvetää puoleensa
The word "vetää puoleensa" literally translates to "pull towards itself" or "to draw in" in Finnish.
Hungarianvonz
The word "vonz" in Hungarian, meaning "attract," is derived from the Proto-Uralic word *woŋke, meaning "to wish, desire," and was originally used in the sense of "to evoke a longing or desire in someone."
Latvianpiesaistīt
The word "piesaistīt" is derived from the Latin word "applicare," meaning "to join" or "to attach."
Lithuanianpritraukti
"Pritraukti" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*terq-," meaning "to draw, drag, pull," and is related to the Latin "trahere," meaning "to draw, drag, pull," and the English "trac-," meaning "to draw, pull, drag."
Macedonianпривлече
The word "привлече" in Macedonian also means "to entice" or "to draw attention."
Polishpociągać
The Polish verb "pociągać" derives from the Proto-Slavic word for "pull," reflecting its literal meaning of "drawing something toward oneself."
Romaniana atrage
The Romanian word "a atrage" ultimately derives from the Latin verb trahere, meaning "to drag" or "to pull."
Russianпривлекать
The verb "привлекать" also means "to entail, involve, or implicate" in Russian.
Serbianпривући
The word "привући" (attract) is derived from the Proto-Slavic root *vьkъ, which also means "wolf" and "to drag".
Slovakprilákať
The verb "prilákať" comes from the Proto-Slavic word "*lěkati", meaning "to deceive" or "to entice".
Slovenianprivabiti
The verb 'privabiti' in Slovenian is derived from the Slavic root 'vabiti', meaning 'to call' or 'to invite'.
Ukrainianзалучити
The verb "залучити" derives from the Proto-Slavic word "*loviti", meaning "to hunt, to catch".

Attract in South Asian Languages

Bengaliআকর্ষণ
আকর্ষণ shares the same root as আক্রমণ (attack) and আকৃতি (shape), implying a broad sense of motion or form that can be both positive and negative.
Gujaratiઆકર્ષિત કરો
The word "આકર્ષિત કરો" comes from the Sanskrit word "आकर्षति" (ākṛṣati), meaning "to draw towards", and is related to the English word "attract". It can also be used to describe someone who is charming or captivating.
Hindiआकर्षित
The word "आकर्षित" is derived from the Sanskrit root "कृष" (to draw or pull) and is related to the words "कर्षण" (attraction) and "कृषक" (farmer).
Kannadaಆಕರ್ಷಿಸಿ
The word "ಆಕರ್ಷಿಸಿ" can also mean to charm or fascinate, derived from the root word "ಆಕರ್ಷಣ" meaning charm or attraction.
Malayalamആകർഷിക്കുക
The word "attract" can also mean "lure" or "entice" in English.
Marathiआकर्षित करणे
In Marathi, the word 'आकर्षित करणे' has the alternate meaning of 'to fascinate' or 'to impress'.
Nepaliआकर्षित
The Nepali word "आकर्षित" also means "to be impressed" or "to be moved".
Punjabiਆਕਰਸ਼ਤ ਕਰੋ
The Punjabi word "ਆਕਰਸ਼ਤ ਕਰੋ" (attract) is derived from the Sanskrit word "आकर्षण" (ākarṣaṇa), which means "drawing towards," and is related to the word "कर्षण" (karṣaṇa), which means "pulling" or "drawing."
Sinhala (Sinhalese)ආකර්ෂණය කරගන්න
Tamilஈர்க்க
The word ஈர்க்க (eerka) can also mean 'to be wet', 'to feel damp', or 'to be moistened' in Tamil.
Teluguఆకర్షించండి
Urduاپنی طرف متوجہ

Attract in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)吸引
吸引 (xīyǐn) can also mean to absorb, allure, or entice.
Chinese (Traditional)吸引
The word “吸引” can also mean “to absorb” or “to inhale”.
Japanese引き付ける
'引き付ける' can also mean 'to tighten' (e.g., a rope).
Korean끌다
끌다 (kkeulda) derives from the Proto-Korean word *kwel-t-, meaning "to pull, draw, attract"
Mongolianтатах
The Mongolian word "татах" ("attract") is probably derived from the word "татах" ("to gather").
Myanmar (Burmese)ဆွဲဆောင်သည်

Attract in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianmenarik
"Menarik" in Indonesian can also mean "interesting" or "fascinating".
Javanesenarik kawigaten
Khmerទាក់ទាញ
This word is related to a word that means "to hook" in Khmer (ចង្កោម).
Laoດຶງດູດ
The Lao word ດຶງດູດ can also refer to the feeling of being pulled or drawn towards someone or something.
Malaytertarik
Tertarik can also mean 'interested' or 'tempted' in Malay.
Thaiดึงดูด
The Thai word "ดึงดูด" can also refer to "magnetism" or "attraction of objects to one another".
Vietnamesethu hút
The Vietnamese word "thu hút" can also refer to the action of pulling or dragging something towards oneself.
Filipino (Tagalog)akitin

Attract in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanicəlb etmək
The word could be related to "çəlmək" meaning "to shake, to move".
Kazakhтарту
The word "тарту" also means "to select" or "to choose" in Kazakh.
Kyrgyzтартуу
"Тартуу" in Kyrgyz can also mean "to pull" or "to draw".
Tajikҷалб кардан
The Tajik word "ҷалб кардан" is derived from the Persian word "جلب کردن" and also means "to gather" in addition to "to attract."
Turkmençekmek
Uzbekjalb qilmoq
The Uzbek word "jalb qilmoq" is derived from the Arabic word "jalba", meaning "to bring" or "to cause to come."
Uyghurجەلپ قىلىش

Attract in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianʻumeʻume
ʻumeʻume also means to gather, flock, or crowd.
Maorikukume
The word "kukume" can also refer to the process of collecting food or drawing something towards oneself.
Samoanfaatosina
The word "faatosina" is derived from the Proto-Polynesian word "*fato" meaning "to draw" or "to pull".
Tagalog (Filipino)makaakit
The term is derived from the Proto-Austronesian word "*makaqit" meaning "to bind, attach, or fasten".

Attract in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaramunayaña
Guaraniporopy'areraha

Attract in International Languages

Esperantoaltiri
"Altiri" is derived from the Latin "alter," meaning "other," and carries the connotation of shifting or moving towards something different.
Latinattrahunt
The verb 'attrahunt' is derived from the Latin word 'adtrahere', meaning 'to draw towards'.

Attract in Others Languages

Greekπροσελκύω
"Προσελκύω" can also mean "to charm" or "to lure" in Greek.
Hmongnyiam
The word "nyiam" also means "to be magnetized".
Kurdishsorkirin
The word "sorkirin" also means "to call" in the sense of "to summon" or "to invite".
Turkishçekmek
"Çekmek" is derived from the word "çeki" in old Turkish, which means "power". Hence, it also means "to pull". It has a wide range of meanings across different dialects and usage contexts.
Xhosatsala
The word "tsala" in Xhosa can also mean "to invite" or "to summon".
Yiddishצוציען
In Yiddish, the word "צוציען" can also mean "to draw" or "to entice."
Zuluukuheha
The Zulu word `ukuheha` is derived from the Bantu root *ku-keka*, meaning "pull" or "stretch" and also appears in several southern Khoisan languages, e.g. |'aa-|xam "take away; take possession of; capture", |xam: "drag".
Assameseআকৰ্ষণ
Aymaramunayaña
Bhojpuriआकर्षित कईल
Dhivehiގަޔާވާ
Dogriमोहत होना
Filipino (Tagalog)akitin
Guaraniporopy'areraha
Ilocanoawisen
Kriolɛk
Kurdish (Sorani)سەرنج ڕاکێشان
Maithiliआकर्षक
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯄꯨꯛꯅꯤꯡ ꯆꯤꯡꯁꯤꯟꯕ
Mizohip
Oromohawwachuu
Odia (Oriya)ଆକର୍ଷିତ କର |
Quechuaaysay
Sanskritलोभयति
Tatarҗәлеп итү
Tigrinyaምስሓብ
Tsongakoka rinoko

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