Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'base' holds a significant place in our vocabulary, with a wide range of meanings and uses that make it a versatile term in many languages. At its core, 'base' can refer to a foundation or starting point, a fundamental concept, or the lower part of an object. Its cultural importance is evident in various fields, from mathematics and science to sports and gaming. For instance, in mathematics, a base is a number system's fundamental unit, while in sports, a base refers to a safe point for runners in games like baseball and softball.
Given its significance and cultural importance, understanding the translation of 'base' in different languages can be both enlightening and practical. For example, in Spanish, 'base' translates to 'base' or 'baseball field,' while in French, it becomes 'base' or 'bottom.' In German, 'base' is translated as 'Basis' or 'Grundlage,' and in Japanese, it is '基' (moto) or '根' (ne).
Explore the many facets of this word and learn how it is translated in a variety of languages. Discover the unique cultural nuances and linguistic distinctions that make each language a fascinating window into its own world.
Afrikaans | basis | ||
The word "basis" in Afrikaans also means "foundation", "principle", or "ground". | |||
Amharic | መሠረት | ||
In Amharic, 'መሠረት' (base) can also refer to a foundation, principle, or origin. | |||
Hausa | tushe | ||
The word "tushe" in Hausa can also refer to a foundation or a place where something is built. | |||
Igbo | isi | ||
"Isi" can also refer to the head, source, or root of something, highlighting its fundamental or originating nature. | |||
Malagasy | base | ||
In Malagasy, the word “base” (pronounced “bah-zee”) can also refer to the bottom of the sea. | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | m'munsi | ||
The word "m'munsi" in Nyanja can also refer to the bottom part of a traditional Malawian cooking pot. | |||
Shona | hwaro | ||
The word "hwaro" in Shona can also refer to the base of a tree or a hill. | |||
Somali | saldhig | ||
The word 'saldhig' is also used to describe the bottom part of the spine or backbone. | |||
Sesotho | motheo | ||
"Motheo" can also refer to a military base or stronghold | |||
Swahili | msingi | ||
The word "msingi" is also used to refer to the foundation of a house or the base of a tree. | |||
Xhosa | isiseko | ||
Also refers to a place where one can get lost, or a place where a chief stays. | |||
Yoruba | ipilẹ | ||
"Ipilẹ" also refers to the act of planting seeds and establishing their foundation in the earth. | |||
Zulu | isisekelo | ||
"I-Isisekelo" also refers to the foundation of a home. | |||
Bambara | bazi | ||
Ewe | teƒe | ||
Kinyarwanda | shingiro | ||
Lingala | nse | ||
Luganda | beesi | ||
Sepedi | motheo | ||
Twi (Akan) | nhini | ||
Arabic | يتمركز | ||
The Arabic word 'يتمركز' ('base') originates from the root 'رك', meaning 'to support' or 'to strengthen', indicating the role of a base as a support structure for military or other operations. | |||
Hebrew | בסיס | ||
The word "בסיס" also means "foundation" or "basis" in Hebrew, a meaning the word "base" also has in English. | |||
Pashto | بنسټ | ||
The word "بنسټ" can also refer to a pedestal or a foundation. | |||
Arabic | يتمركز | ||
The Arabic word 'يتمركز' ('base') originates from the root 'رك', meaning 'to support' or 'to strengthen', indicating the role of a base as a support structure for military or other operations. |
Albanian | baze | ||
The Albanian word 'baze' derives from the Greek 'βάση' (basis), also present in the word 'baza' in Italian and many other languages of the Romance family. | |||
Basque | oinarria | ||
Oinarria has multiple meanings in Basque, including "foundation", "basis", and "principle". | |||
Catalan | base | ||
Curiously, "base" in Catalan can also mean "skirt" or "fringe" | |||
Croatian | baza | ||
The word "baza" in Croatian can also refer to a "database" or a "stocking". | |||
Danish | grundlag | ||
The word "grundlag" also means "constitution" in Danish, as it is derived from the German word "Grundlage," meaning "foundation" or "basis." | |||
Dutch | baseren | ||
The word "baseren" in Dutch can also refer to a small, low-pitched sound, such as a whisper or a sigh. | |||
English | base | ||
The word "base" comes from the Old French word "bas" meaning "low" or "inferior". | |||
French | base | ||
The French word "base" can also mean "low" or "mean". | |||
Frisian | basis | ||
The Frisian word “basis” (base) is a loanword from Latin “basis” with the same meaning. | |||
Galician | base | ||
The Galician word "base" can also mean "foundation", "basis" or "support". | |||
German | base | ||
"Base" can also mean base (chemistry) | |||
Icelandic | stöð | ||
In Icelandic, the word "stöð" can also refer to a harbor, a ferry terminal, or a bus stop. | |||
Irish | bonn | ||
The word 'bonn' can also mean 'stem'. | |||
Italian | base | ||
In Italian, 'base' can also refer to a kiss on the cheek as a greeting. | |||
Luxembourgish | basis | ||
In Luxembourgish, the word "Basis" can also mean "foundation" or "principle". | |||
Maltese | bażi | ||
Maltese 'bażi' likely comes from Italian 'base' and ultimately from Latin 'basis', but might also be an Arabic loanword from 'qāʿida' ('base') | |||
Norwegian | utgangspunkt | ||
The word "utgangspunkt" can also mean "starting point" or "basis" in Norwegian. | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | base | ||
The word "base" in Portuguese can also mean "footing", "support", "foundation" or "low end". | |||
Scots Gaelic | bonn | ||
The Scots word bonn may have originated from the Old Irish bun (foot) or bonn (bottom, foundation). | |||
Spanish | base | ||
"Base" means "base" in Spanish, but it can also mean "foundation" or "support." | |||
Swedish | bas | ||
In Swedish, "bas" can also refer to a musical bass line or to the lowest point on a scale. | |||
Welsh | sylfaen | ||
The word "sylfaen" in Welsh can also refer to a foundation or groundwork. |
Belarusian | база | ||
The word "base" is also a synonym for "database". | |||
Bosnian | baza | ||
The word "baza" in Bosnian also means "market" or "trade fair". | |||
Bulgarian | база | ||
"База" also means "database" in Bulgarian. | |||
Czech | základna | ||
The word "základna" can also refer to a database or the area around a military base. | |||
Estonian | alus | ||
The word "alus" is also used in Estonian to refer to the bottom of a liquid container. | |||
Finnish | pohja | ||
"Pohja" in Finnish also refers to a type of traditional bread. | |||
Hungarian | bázis | ||
The Hungarian word "bázis" derives from the Greek word "basis", originally meaning "step", "platform", but has been borrowed into Hungarian in its mathematical sense. | |||
Latvian | bāze | ||
The Latvian word "bāze" also refers to the lowest part of something, such as a mountain or a building. | |||
Lithuanian | bazė | ||
The word "bazė" in Lithuanian is derived from the Greek word "βάσις", meaning "foundation" or "base". | |||
Macedonian | база | ||
The word "база" (base) in Macedonian can also refer to a military base or a database. | |||
Polish | baza | ||
In Polish, "baza" can also refer to a cotton cloth used for towels, curtains, or underwear. | |||
Romanian | baza | ||
The Romanian word "baza" can also refer to a type of alcoholic drink, or to the bottom of a pot or bowl | |||
Russian | основание | ||
The word "основание" in Russian can also mean "basis", "ground" or "principle." | |||
Serbian | база | ||
База (baza) is a Slavic word meaning "foundation" or "bottom". | |||
Slovak | základňa | ||
The word "základňa" also refers to a "foundry" or a "foundation" in Slovak. | |||
Slovenian | osnova | ||
The word "osnova" can also mean "principle", "foundation", or "basis". | |||
Ukrainian | база | ||
Ukrainian 'база' ('base') might also mean a small military fort or a marketplace for goods such as groceries or clothing. |
Bengali | বেস | ||
In Bengali, "বেস" can also mean "to sink" or "to be submerged". | |||
Gujarati | પાયો | ||
The Gujarati word "પાયો" ultimately derives from Sanskrit "पाद" and also means "leg" or "foot". | |||
Hindi | आधार | ||
The word "आधार" (adhaar) can also refer to a foundation, structure, or support in architecture, mathematics, or philosophy. | |||
Kannada | ಬೇಸ್ | ||
The word "base" in Kannada can also refer to a fort or a foundation. | |||
Malayalam | അടിസ്ഥാനം | ||
The Malayalam word 'അടിസ്ഥാനം' means 'base', but it can also refer to 'foundation', 'principle', or 'reason'. | |||
Marathi | पाया | ||
The Marathi word "पाया" ('base') is a cognate of the Hindi word "पाय" ('foot') and also means 'leg'. | |||
Nepali | आधार | ||
Aadhaar in Nepali originates from Sanskrit and can also refer to foundation, basis, substance, pedestal, support or principle. | |||
Punjabi | ਅਧਾਰ | ||
ਅਧਾਰ (base) is also the name of a unique identification number issued in India. | |||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | පදනම | ||
පදනම (padanama) has other meanings such as "foundation," "basis," and "principle." | |||
Tamil | அடித்தளம் | ||
The word "அடித்தளம்" (base) is derived from the Proto-Dravidian root *aʈi- meaning "to stand". | |||
Telugu | బేస్ | ||
Telugu word "బేస్" can also mean "foundation" or "basis" in English. | |||
Urdu | بنیاد | ||
The Arabic-based word "بنیاد" also commonly means foundation, basis, or establishment in contexts where a physical base isn't being referenced. |
Chinese (Simplified) | 基础 | ||
"基础" also means 'foundation' or 'premise' | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 基礎 | ||
"基礎" is also used as "the base of the skull" and "the end of something". | |||
Japanese | ベース | ||
In Japanese, ベース ("base") can refer to various things including a musical term, a home or starting point, and a foundation or basis. | |||
Korean | 베이스 | ||
"베이스" is also a term used in baseball to refer to the position closest to home plate, which is called "1루" in Korean and "first base" in English. | |||
Mongolian | суурь | ||
“Суурь” is the Mongolian name for the planet Mercury, as well as the Mongolian word for base/foundation/root/base of a mountain/base of an army. | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | အခြေစိုက်စခန်း | ||
In Myanmar military slang it can also refer to the headquarters for a company, battalion, regiment, or brigade. |
Indonesian | mendasarkan | ||
mendasarkan (v) to base, to found, to establish, to refer to | |||
Javanese | dhasar | ||
In Javanese, "dhasar" also means "reason" or "cause". | |||
Khmer | មូលដ្ឋាន | ||
Lao | ຖານ | ||
ຖານ is a cognate of “ฐาน” (than) in Thai, originally from Sanskrit “sthāna”, meaning “place, position, or foundation”. | |||
Malay | pangkalan | ||
"Pangkalan" can also refer to a market or trading place where ships and boats dock. | |||
Thai | ฐาน | ||
The word "ฐาน" also means "foundation" or "basis" in Thai. | |||
Vietnamese | căn cứ | ||
"Căn cứ" is a Sino-Vietnamese word derived from the Chinese characters " căn" (meaning "root") and " cứ " (meaning "foundation"), suggesting a place of origin or a basis for something. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | base | ||
Azerbaijani | baza | ||
In Azerbaijani, the word "baza" also refers to a type of traditional footwear. | |||
Kazakh | негіз | ||
The word “негіз” also means foundation, base, and basis in Kazakh. | |||
Kyrgyz | негиз | ||
The Kyrgyz word "негиз" can also refer to a foundation or principle upon which something is built or established. | |||
Tajik | пойгоҳ | ||
The word "пойгоҳ" in Tajik also means "fortress" or "stronghold". | |||
Turkmen | esas | ||
Uzbek | tayanch | ||
The Uzbek word "tayanch" can also refer to a foundation, support, or pillar. | |||
Uyghur | base | ||
Hawaiian | kahua | ||
In Hawaiian, "kahua" has broader meanings including "foundation or source," "to create" and "to originate." | |||
Maori | turanga | ||
The word "turanga" can also mean "a place of assembly" or "a landing place" in Maori. | |||
Samoan | faʻavae | ||
The Samoan word "faʻavae" can also mean "foundation" or "source". | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | base | ||
In Tagalog (Filipino), "base" can also mean "foundation" or "base for a drink". |
Aymara | wasi | ||
Guarani | pyenda | ||
Esperanto | bazo | ||
The word "bazo" in Esperanto can also mean "basis" or "foundation." | |||
Latin | basis | ||
In Latin, "basis" referred not only to a physical base, but also the starting point of an argument or discussion. |
Greek | βάση | ||
The word "βάση" in Greek also means "foundation" or "groundwork". | |||
Hmong | puag | ||
"Puag" can also mean "bottom of a steep slope" or "foot of a mountain". | |||
Kurdish | bingeh | ||
The Kurdish word “bingeh” derives from the Old Persian word “bangah” meaning “place, location” and is also related to the Armenian word “bang” meaning “dwelling, building”. | |||
Turkish | temel | ||
Besides meaning base in Turkish, 'temel' can also be a synonym for foundation in the context of buildings. | |||
Xhosa | isiseko | ||
Also refers to a place where one can get lost, or a place where a chief stays. | |||
Yiddish | באַזע | ||
In Yiddish, "באַזע" also refers to a small amount of money, a tip, or a bribe. | |||
Zulu | isisekelo | ||
"I-Isisekelo" also refers to the foundation of a home. | |||
Assamese | ভেঁটি | ||
Aymara | wasi | ||
Bhojpuri | आधार | ||
Dhivehi | ބޭސް | ||
Dogri | कमीना | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | base | ||
Guarani | pyenda | ||
Ilocano | base | ||
Krio | bɔt | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | بناغە | ||
Maithili | आधार | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯌꯨꯝꯐꯝ | ||
Mizo | chhuat | ||
Oromo | hundee | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ଆଧାର | ||
Quechua | pachan | ||
Sanskrit | आधार | ||
Tatar | нигез | ||
Tigrinya | መሰረት | ||
Tsonga | tshaku | ||