Behavior in different languages

Behavior in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

Behavior is a fundamental aspect of human and animal life, encompassing the actions and reactions that define how we interact with the world around us. Its significance extends beyond the individual, shaping social norms, cultural traditions, and even international relations.

Throughout history, the study of behavior has fascinated philosophers, scientists, and scholars alike. From the ancient Greek concept of 'ethos' to the modern English term 'behavior', this concept has been explored and interpreted in countless ways, reflecting the diverse perspectives of different cultures and epochs.

Understanding the translation of 'behavior' in different languages is more than just a linguistic exercise. It's a window into the values, beliefs, and customs of people around the world. For instance, the Spanish 'comportamiento' not only shares the root 'comport' with the English word, but also carries a similar connotation of 'carrying oneself in a particular way'. Meanwhile, the Chinese translation '行为' (xíngwéi) combines the characters for 'walk' and 'action', suggesting a dynamic and active interpretation of behavior.

Stay tuned to explore more translations of behavior in different languages.

Behavior


Behavior in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansgedrag
The word "gedrag" is of Dutch origin and can also refer to the movement of heavenly bodies in Afrikaans.
Amharicባህሪ
The word "ባህሪ" (behavior) is derived from the root "ብህር" (character), and can also refer to someone's personality or nature.
Hausahali
The word "hali" can also refer to physical appearance or physical attributes.
Igboomume
The word 'omume' (behavior) in Igbo can also refer to 'way of life' or 'conduct'.
Malagasyfitondrantena
The word “fitondrantena” in Malagasy comes from the Proto-Malayo-Polynesian root *tuŋkuḍ, which means “to squat” or “to sit on one's heels.”
Nyanja (Chichewa)khalidwe
The word "khalidwe" can also be used to describe the way in which someone moves or acts.
Shonamaitiro
The word "maitiro" in Shona can also refer to character or manner, and is related to the word "muitiro," which means custom or tradition.
Somalidhaqanka
In Somali, "dhaqanka" not only means "behavior" but also "culture" or "tradition".
Sesothoboitshwaro
The word "boitshwaro" translates to "behavior" in English and stems from the root word "itshwaara", which means "to act" or "to behave".
Swahilitabia
"Tabia" also means "custom" or "usage" in Swahili.
Xhosaindlela yokuziphatha
The word 'indlela yokuziphatha' literally translates to 'the way of behaving'.
Yorubaihuwasi
The word "ihuwasi" is derived from the verb "hu" (to do) and the noun "wasi" (manner), hence it carries the meaning of "manner of doing" or "conduct".
Zuluukuziphatha
The Zulu word 'ukuziphatha' is derived from the verb 'ukuziphatha' meaning 'to hold oneself', and refers to one's conduct or demeanor.
Bambarajogo
Ewenuwɔna
Kinyarwandaimyitwarire
Lingalaezaleli
Lugandaenneeyisa
Sepedimaitshwaro
Twi (Akan)suban

Behavior in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicسلوك
سلوك is a verb that means 'to walk' or 'to conduct oneself,' and is related to the word 'path' ('طريق').
Hebrewהתנהגות
התנהגות can also mean 'conduct' or 'manner'.
Pashtoچلند
The word "چلند" can also mean "conversation" or "interaction" in Pashto.
Arabicسلوك
سلوك is a verb that means 'to walk' or 'to conduct oneself,' and is related to the word 'path' ('طريق').

Behavior in Western European Languages

Albaniansjellje
"Sjellje" is also used in Albanian as a way to say "demeanor" or the way a person acts or presents themselves.
Basqueportaera
Basque word "portaera" also means "conduct", "attitude" and "demeanor".
Catalancomportament
In Castilian Spanish, the term comportament refers to a compartment or drawer in a piece of furniture, while in Catalan, it exclusively denotes behavior.
Croatianponašanje
In Croatian, "ponašanje" also refers to a demeanor or conduct, especially in a social context.
Danishopførsel
While the word "opførsel" directly translates to mean "behavior," it can also mean "performance" or "conduct".
Dutchgedrag
The word "gedrag" in Dutch can also refer to someone's conduct or demeanor.
Englishbehavior
The word "behavior" derives from the Latin word "habere," meaning "to have" or "to hold," and originally referred to the manner in which someone held themselves.
Frenchcomportement
In Old French, "comportement" meant "attitude, way of holding oneself".
Frisianhâlden en dragen
'Hâlden en dragen' is also an archaic expression meaning 'living and carrying,' especially of livestock.
Galiciancomportamento
The Galician word "comportamento" comes from the Latin "comportare," meaning "to carry together" or "to endure."
Germanverhalten
Verhalten can also mean 'the attitude towards something'
Icelandichegðun
The term hegðun has an etymological origin in the word hegða, which signifies "to keep, observe or tend".
Irishiompar
The Irish word "iompar" also refers to "port" and "carriage" and derives from the Latin word "importare".
Italiancomportamento
In Italian, "comportamento" can also mean "deportment" or "conduct".
Luxembourgishverhalen
The Luxembourgish word "Verhalen" is derived from the German word "Verhalten", which in turn originates from the Middle High German "verhalten" (to carry oneself).
Malteseimġieba
The word "imġieba" is derived from the Arabic word "majaba" meaning "answer".
Norwegianoppførsel
The word "oppførsel" is derived from the Old Norse word "uppføra," meaning "to bring up" or "to educate."
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)comportamento
"Comportamento" derives from the Latin verb "comportare," meaning "to bring together" or "to assemble," implying a composite or organized nature.
Scots Gaelicgiùlan
Giùlan, in addition to referring to behavior, can also mean "bearing," "conduct," or "demeanor.
Spanishcomportamiento
"Comportamiento" (behavior) shares its root with "comportarse" which comes from the French "comporter" which originated from the Late Latin "comportare" meaning "to carry together, conduct, or behave."
Swedishbeteende
The word 'beteende' derives from the Latin verb 'betare', meaning 'to beat', referring to the external manifestations of internal states.
Welshymddygiad
'Ymddygiad' comes from the Welsh words 'ymddyg' meaning 'to behave' and 'iad' meaning 'the state of'.

Behavior in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianпаводзіны
The word "паводзіны" in Belarusian is derived from the verb "паводзіць", which means "to drive, to guide, or to manage".
Bosnianponašanje
The word 'ponašanje' can also mean 'demeanor', 'conduct', or 'bearing'
Bulgarianповедение
The word "поведение" has a similar meaning in Bulgarian and French, and is ultimately derived from the Latin word "habere," meaning "to have."
Czechchování
The word "chování" also means "breeding" or "upbringing" in Czech.
Estoniankäitumine
Estonian word "käitumine" translates to "behavior," but derives from the verb="käima" (to walk), and the suffix="-mine" (characterized by), so literally meaning "a manner of walking."
Finnishkäyttäytymistä
The word "käyttäytymistä" in Finnish literally translates to "use of oneself".
Hungarianviselkedés
The Hungarian word "viselkedés" originates from the word "viselni" meaning "to wear", referring to the outward manifestation of someone's inner disposition.
Latvianuzvedība
The word "uzvedība" also means "conduct" or "demeanor" in Latvian.
Lithuanianelgesys
The word "elgesys" in Lithuanian comes from the verb "elgtis," which means "to act".
Macedonianоднесување
The word "однесување" in Macedonian can also refer to "demeanor" or "conduct."
Polishzachowanie
Polish "zachowanie" has the same etymology as English "conversation", meaning "staying together"
Romaniancomportament
The Romanian word comportament is derived from the French word comportement, meaning "behavior," and is ultimately derived from the Latin word comportare, meaning "to carry together."
Russianповедение
The word "behavior" in Russian, "поведение", can also refer to "conduct" or "manners".
Serbianпонашање
The word 'ponašanje' comes from the verb 'ponašati se', which means 'to behave' or 'to act'. It can also refer to 'conduct', 'demeanor', or 'bearing'.
Slovaksprávanie
The Slovak word "správanie" can also refer to a news story or report, or to the administration of justice in a court of law.
Slovenianvedenje
This word can also refer to skill, knowledge, talent, experience, mastery, wisdom, or the process of learning and acquiring skills.
Ukrainianповедінки
Поведінки also means "deportment" and is a plural form of the noun "поведінка".

Behavior in South Asian Languages

Bengaliআচরণ
আচরণ derives from the Sanskrit word 'चार' (movement, conduct, or behavior) and also means 'practice' or 'usage' in Bengali.
Gujaratiવર્તન
The word "વર્તન" is derived from the Sanskrit word "वर्तन" (vartan), which means "to turn, to move".
Hindiव्यवहार
The word "व्यवहार" (vyavahara) in Hindi also means "conduct", "dealing", or "transaction".
Kannadaನಡವಳಿಕೆ
The word "ನಡವಳಿಕೆ" can also refer to a specific type of behavior, such as the "conduct of a person" or the "manner of acting or behaving".
Malayalamപെരുമാറ്റം
The word "പെരുമാറ്റം" (perumattam) in Malayalam originally meant "manner of conduct befitting a king".
Marathiवर्तन
The word "वर्तन" (vartana) is derived from the Sanskrit root "वृत्" (vrt) meaning "to turn, to behave".
Nepaliव्यवहार
The word "व्यवहार" can also mean "conduct" or "transaction".
Punjabiਵਿਵਹਾਰ
Sinhala (Sinhalese)හැසිරීම
The word "හැසිරීම" can be derived from the Sanskrit word "चार" (chāra), meaning "to move" or "to conduct oneself."
Tamilநடத்தை
The Tamil word
Teluguప్రవర్తన
The Sanskrit word 'pravarta' means 'to move' or 'to act', and the Telugu word 'ప్రవర్తన' is derived from it.
Urduسلوک
The Urdu word "سلوک" (behavior) is derived from the Arabic word "سَلُوك" and also refers to a system of spiritual practices in Sufism.

Behavior in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)行为
The word "行为" (behavior) in Chinese also refers to "activity" or "conduct".
Chinese (Traditional)行為
行為 is also a Buddhist term meaning "karmic retribution".
Japanese動作
"動作" can also mean "an action" or "a move".
Korean행동
The word "hangdong" (행동) is also used to refer to "action" or "conduct" in a legal or ethical context.
Mongolianзан байдал
The word 'зан байдал' in Mongolian can also refer to the nature or disposition of a person.
Myanmar (Burmese)အပြုအမူ

Behavior in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiantingkah laku
The Indonesian word "tingkah laku" can also refer to a person's behavior, demeanor, or conduct.
Javanesetingkah laku
The Javanese word "tingkah laku" can also mean "posture" or "manner of carrying oneself".
Khmerឥរិយាបទ
The Khmer word "ឥរិយាបទ" (behavior) is derived from the Sanskrit word "आर्यापथ" (āryāpatha), meaning "noble conduct". It can also refer to postures or gestures.
Laoພຶດຕິ ກຳ
Malaytingkah laku
"Tingkah laku" can literally be translated as "action appearance", suggesting a close relationship between external actions and internal states.
Thaiพฤติกรรม
'พฤติกรรม' derives from the Sanskrit word 'pravrutti' meaning 'to behave, to conduct oneself'.
Vietnamesehành vi
In Vietnamese, "hành vi" can also refer to actions or conduct.
Filipino (Tagalog)pag-uugali

Behavior in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanidavranış
In Azerbaijani, the word "davranış" is also used to describe a person's actions, conduct, or demeanor.
Kazakhмінез-құлық
"Мінез-құлық" can also refer to moral or ethical conduct and can be used to describe a person's nature, values, and attitudes.
Kyrgyzжүрүм-турум
The term “жүрүм-турум” is frequently used in the context of social norms and values.
Tajikрафтор
The Tajik word рафтор is derived from the Persian word رفتار, which also means "behavior."
Turkmenözüni alyp baryş
Uzbekxulq-atvor
"Xulq-atvor" has Arabic origins and also means morality, conduct and character.
Uyghurھەرىكەت

Behavior in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianhana
In Hawaiian, 'hana' also means 'work' or 'craft', reflecting the idea that behavior is a manifestation of one's skills and abilities.
Maoriwhanonga
The word "whanonga" also has connotations of "custom" and "tradition" within the Maori culture.
Samoanamio
The word "amio" in Samoan also means a traditional performance of dance and song.
Tagalog (Filipino)pag-uugali
"Pag-uugali" also means "customs, habits, or manners".

Behavior in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarakumpurtasiwi
Guaranihapykuere

Behavior in International Languages

Esperantokonduto
The word "konduto" in Esperanto can also refer to a conduct or a conduit, and derives from the Latin word "conductus" meaning "leading" or "guiding".
Latinmores
The Latin word 'mores' can also refer to customs, traditions, or moral principles.

Behavior in Others Languages

Greekη συμπεριφορα
The word "η ΣΥΜΠΕΡΙΦΟΡΑ" comes from the Greek word "σύμπερι" (symperi) meaning "together" and "φέρω" (fero) meaning "to bear or carry."
Hmongcwj pwm
"Cwj pwm" can also mean "conduct" or "manners."
Kurdishxwenîşandinî
Xwenîşandinî has an alternate meaning of "training, education, teaching, instruction" in Kurdish, derived from the Persian word "tarbīyat" with the same meaning.
Turkishdavranış
The word "davranış" also means "act", "deed", "conduct", "action" or "attitude" in Turkish.
Xhosaindlela yokuziphatha
The word 'indlela yokuziphatha' literally translates to 'the way of behaving'.
Yiddishנאַטור
From the Hebrew "הִתְנַּהֲגוּת" ("hitnahagut"), meaning "behavior," and also used in Ashkenazi Hebrew for "conduct".
Zuluukuziphatha
The Zulu word 'ukuziphatha' is derived from the verb 'ukuziphatha' meaning 'to hold oneself', and refers to one's conduct or demeanor.
Assameseআচৰণ
Aymarakumpurtasiwi
Bhojpuriबेवहार
Dhivehiއުޅުން
Dogriब्यहार
Filipino (Tagalog)pag-uugali
Guaranihapykuere
Ilocanopanagtignay
Kriobiev
Kurdish (Sorani)ڕەفتار
Maithiliव्यवहार
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯂꯤꯆꯠ ꯁꯥꯖꯠ
Mizonungchang
Oromoamala
Odia (Oriya)ବ୍ୟବହାର
Quechuacomportamiento
Sanskritव्यवहार
Tatarтәртип
Tigrinyaባህርያት
Tsongahanyelo

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