Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'campaign' holds immense significance in our vocabulary, transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries. Originating from the Italian 'campagna' meaning 'countryside', it was initially used to describe military operations in the countryside. However, its connotation has since expanded to encompass a series of organized activities, aimed at achieving a specific goal, be it in business, politics, or social welfare. This cultural importance is evident in its ubiquity, with 'campaign' being a key term in various societal discourses worldwide.
Delving into the historical context, the 'Campaigns of Napoleon' are noteworthy. These were a series of military campaigns led by Napoleon Bonaparte, which had profound impacts on European politics and history. On a lighter note, the 'Pepsi Campaigns' are iconic in the business world, with their innovative marketing strategies reshaping the beverage industry.
Understanding the translation of 'campaign' in different languages can be enlightening, offering insights into how diverse cultures perceive and express this concept. Here are a few examples:
Afrikaans | veldtog | ||
The word "veldtog" in Afrikaans is derived from the Dutch word "veldtocht", which in turn is derived from the German word "Feldzug", meaning "military campaign". | |||
Amharic | ዘመቻ | ||
"ዘመቻ" is derived from the verb "ዘመነ," meaning "to call" or "to summon," and is often used in the context of military or political campaigns. | |||
Hausa | yakin neman zabe | ||
The word "yakin neman zabe" ("campaign") in Hausa literally translates to "trying to seek an election". | |||
Igbo | mkpọsa | ||
In some Igbo dialects, mkpọsa also means 'to shout,' 'to call out,' or 'to declare.' | |||
Malagasy | hetsika | ||
In Malagasy, the word "hetsika" also means "movement" and is used in political or social contexts. | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | kampeni | ||
The word "kampeni" in Nyanja is also used to mean "a season of military operations" | |||
Shona | mushandirapamwe | ||
The word 'mushandirapamwe' can also refer to a concerted effort to achieve a particular goal or objective. | |||
Somali | olole | ||
The word 'olole' is derived from the Somali word for 'war chant', highlighting the strong connection between campaigning and traditional warfare tactics. | |||
Sesotho | letšolo | ||
The word "letšolo" can also mean "battle" or "war". | |||
Swahili | kampeni | ||
The word "kampeni" in Swahili is also used to refer to a military operation or a political rally. | |||
Xhosa | iphulo | ||
"Iphulo" also means a "collection of cattle" | |||
Yoruba | ipolongo | ||
The Yoruba word "ipolongo," while commonly translated as "campaign," also holds alternate meanings including "declaration", "proclamation", and "message." | |||
Zulu | umkhankaso | ||
The word 'umkhankaso' in Zulu also refers to hunting and gathering of wild plants. | |||
Bambara | kanpaɲi | ||
Ewe | gbeƒaɖeɖe | ||
Kinyarwanda | kwiyamamaza | ||
Lingala | kampanye | ||
Luganda | okuvuganya | ||
Sepedi | lesolo | ||
Twi (Akan) | ntoabɔ | ||
Arabic | حملة | ||
حملة means 'attack' or 'burden' in addition to 'campaign'. | |||
Hebrew | קמפיין | ||
The Hebrew word for "campaign" (קמפיין) is derived from the Italian word "campagna," meaning "countryside," and initially referred to military operations conducted in rural areas. | |||
Pashto | کمپاین | ||
Campaign in Pashto literally means "to gather", "to assemble". | |||
Arabic | حملة | ||
حملة means 'attack' or 'burden' in addition to 'campaign'. |
Albanian | fushatës | ||
"Fushatë" also derives from Old French fustee ("cloth made of fustian") as cloth was used to cover weapons and military vehicles during marches. | |||
Basque | kanpaina | ||
In Basque, "kanpaina" also refers to a military camp and a bell that calls to prayer. | |||
Catalan | campanya | ||
In Catalan, "campanya" also refers to a bell tower and, historically, to a bell summoning military forces. | |||
Croatian | kampanja | ||
In Croatian, "kampanja" also refers to a military encampment or a group of interconnected buildings. | |||
Danish | kampagne | ||
The Danish word "kampagne" has etymological roots in the Latin "campania" and refers to a rural area. | |||
Dutch | campagne | ||
De Nederlandse campagne betekent 'platteland' of 'akkerland', in tegenstelling tot de Engelse betekenis 'kiezerscampagne'. | |||
English | campaign | ||
The word 'campaign' can also refer to an open country or flat land suitable for military operations | |||
French | campagne | ||
The French word "campagne" can also refer to the countryside or a rural area. | |||
Frisian | kampanje | ||
The word "kampanje" can also mean "battle" or "fight" in Frisian. | |||
Galician | campaña | ||
The word "campaña" in Galician also refers to a plain, particularly one used for the cultivation of cereal crops. | |||
German | kampagne | ||
The German word "Kampagne" is derived from the Late Latin "campania," meaning "open country, plain," and can also refer to a geographical area or region. | |||
Icelandic | herferð | ||
The word "herferð" can also refer to a military engagement, expedition, or journey. | |||
Irish | feachtas | ||
Feachtas is cognate with the Scottish Gaelic word "feàchas" and with the words "feud" and "faction" in English. | |||
Italian | campagna | ||
The Italian word "campagna" derives from the Latin verb "campus," meaning "field," and originally referred to the open countryside outside of a city. | |||
Luxembourgish | campagne | ||
Maltese | kampanja | ||
The Maltese word "kampanja" is derived from the Italian "campagna", which can also refer to the rural outskirts of a city. | |||
Norwegian | kampanje | ||
The word "kampanje" in Norwegian also means "battlefield". | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | campanha | ||
"Campanha" can also mean "plain" or "field" in Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil). | |||
Scots Gaelic | iomairt | ||
The Scots Gaelic word "iomairt" also means "burden" or "carrying". | |||
Spanish | campaña | ||
The word "campaña" originally referred to the open fields outside of a fortified city. | |||
Swedish | kampanj | ||
Originally an Italian word for a military camp, the word “kampanj” can also mean a special sale, a large marketing effort, or a political campaign. | |||
Welsh | ymgyrch | ||
The Welsh word 'ymgyrch' can also refer to a pilgrimage, reflecting the strong religious tradition in Wales. |
Belarusian | кампаніі | ||
Белорусское слово «кампаніі» происходит от старофранцузского слова «chаmpagnie» с латинским корнем «campus» («равнинная местность») | |||
Bosnian | kampanja | ||
Kampanja, izvedeno od italijanske riječi campagna, znači i seoski kraj | |||
Bulgarian | кампания | ||
The word "кампания" in Bulgarian, besides meaning "campaign," also means "bell tower". | |||
Czech | kampaň | ||
In Czech, "kampaň" can also mean "drop-down list" (in a computer program). | |||
Estonian | kampaania | ||
In Estonian, "kampaania" also means "a period of time for growing crops" related to the Middle Dutch word "campanje." | |||
Finnish | kampanja | ||
Kampanja is derived from the French word "campagne", meaning "open country", and also refers to a military campaign or electoral campaign. | |||
Hungarian | kampány | ||
The word "kampány" derives from the French "campagne" (countryside), which reflects the military connotations of the term. | |||
Latvian | kampaņu | ||
The word "kampaņu" has the same etymology as "campagne" in French, "campaña" in Spanish, and "campaign" in English, all stemming from the Latin "campus", meaning "open field" or "plain". | |||
Lithuanian | kampanija | ||
The word "kampanija" comes from the French word "campagne" and originally meant "a military expedition". It later came to mean "a series of connected military operations" and then "a political or advertising campaign". | |||
Macedonian | кампања | ||
A "кампања" can be a military campaign, an electoral campaign, or a fundraising campaign. | |||
Polish | kampania | ||
In Polish, "kampania" originally derives from the Late Latin word Campania, meaning "flat countryside", and came to mean "military expedition" and finally "political campaign". | |||
Romanian | campanie | ||
The Romanian word "campanie" also means "bell" or "bell tower" from the Latin word "campana". | |||
Russian | кампания | ||
Кампания (campaign) в русском языке может также означать полевую работу, экспедицию или военную службу. | |||
Serbian | кампања | ||
In Serbian, "кампања" also refers to a rural area, akin to the English "countryside". | |||
Slovak | kampaň | ||
The Slovak word "kampaň" derives from the French "campagne" meaning "countryside" or "military expedition." | |||
Slovenian | kampanja | ||
In Slovenian, the word "kampanja" can also mean a military camp or a promotional campaign for a political candidate or cause. | |||
Ukrainian | кампанії | ||
The Ukrainian word "кампанії" derives from the French "campagne" and also means "countryside". |
Bengali | প্রচার | ||
প্রচার, অভিযান বা মিছিল বোঝাতে কিন্তু আরও কিছু শব্দ ব্যবহৃত হতে দেখা যাচ্ছে। | |||
Gujarati | ઝુંબેશ | ||
The word "ઝુંબેશ" is derived from the Sanskrit word "यज्ञ" (yajña), meaning "sacrifice", and originally referred to a religious or military expedition. | |||
Hindi | अभियान | ||
The word "अभियान" comes from the Sanskrit word "अभि" (towards) and "यान" (to go), and originally meant an expedition or military campaign. | |||
Kannada | ಪ್ರಚಾರ | ||
The word "ಪ್ರಚಾರ" is derived from the verb "ಪ್ರಚುರು" which means "to spread". It can also refer to preaching, advertisement, or fanfare. | |||
Malayalam | കാമ്പെയ്ൻ | ||
The Malayalam word "കാമ്പെയ്ൻ" can also mean "to struggle" or "to strive". | |||
Marathi | मोहीम | ||
मोहीम is derived from the Sanskrit word 'moksha,' meaning liberation or salvation, suggesting its original association with religious expeditions. | |||
Nepali | अभियान | ||
Nepali "अभियान" from Sanskrit "अवहन" means "to carry" and "to convey" and hence "to lead" or "to guide". | |||
Punjabi | ਮੁਹਿੰਮ | ||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | උද් .ෝෂනය | ||
In ancient Sinhala, "උද් .ෝෂනය" referred to a "war cry" or "battlefield challenge" | |||
Tamil | பிரச்சாரம் | ||
Telugu | ప్రచారం | ||
The Telugu word "ప్రచారం" can also refer to spreading information, propaganda, or advertising. | |||
Urdu | مہم | ||
The Urdu word "مہم" originates from the Arabic word "مهم" meaning "important". |
Chinese (Simplified) | 运动 | ||
"运动" can also refer to a campaign or movement. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 運動 | ||
運動 in Chinese can refer to both physical exercise and a political campaign. | |||
Japanese | 運動 | ||
"運動", meaning "motion" or "movement," came to mean "political campaign" in early 20th century Japan. | |||
Korean | 운동 | ||
"운동" was originally the Korean pronunciation of the Japanese word "運動 (undō)", which refers to physical exercise. | |||
Mongolian | кампанит ажил | ||
The word "кампанит ажил" derives from the French word "campagne," meaning "open country," and ultimately from the Latin word "campus," meaning "field." | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | စည်းရုံးလှုံ့ဆော်ရေး | ||
Indonesian | kampanye | ||
The word "kampanye" in Indonesian can also mean "to wage war". | |||
Javanese | kampanye | ||
"Kampanye" in Javanese means "a gathering of people" and can also refer to a "political campaign" or "a military campaign". | |||
Khmer | យុទ្ធនាការ | ||
Lao | ຂະບວນການ | ||
Malay | kempen | ||
"Kempen" is derived from the Dutch word "kampement" meaning "encampment". | |||
Thai | แคมเปญ | ||
The term แคมเปญ (campaign) is a loanword from English, and can also refer to a group of soldiers sent on a military mission. | |||
Vietnamese | vận động | ||
In Vietnamese, "vận động" also means to move, to exercise, and to mobilize. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | kampanya | ||
Azerbaijani | kampaniya | ||
"Kampaniya" in Azerbaijani can also mean "company." | |||
Kazakh | науқан | ||
The word "науқан" can also mean "festival" or "celebration" in Kazakh. | |||
Kyrgyz | өнөктүк | ||
The word "өнөктүк" in Kyrgyz can also refer to a group of people traveling together for a purpose. | |||
Tajik | маърака | ||
The word "маърака" also means "battle" or "fight" in Tajik. | |||
Turkmen | kampaniýasy | ||
Uzbek | kampaniya | ||
Kampaniya (English: “campaign”) comes from the French word “campagne” which means “countryside” and was used to describe military operations conducted in rural areas. | |||
Uyghur | سەپەرۋەرلىك | ||
Hawaiian | hoʻouka kaua | ||
In Hawaiian, "hoʻouka kaua" also means "to gather for battle" and "to raise an army or fleet." | |||
Maori | pakanga | ||
The word pakanga derives from the Polynesian cognates *paka, *panga, and *pakaŋa, signifying “to kill” or “battle”. | |||
Samoan | tauiviga | ||
Tauiviga, meaning 'campaign', also refers to a group of people working collectively to achieve a particular goal in Samoan. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | kampanya | ||
In Tagalog, "kampanya" also means a "group of supporters" |
Aymara | kamapaña | ||
Guarani | myasãi | ||
Esperanto | kampanjo | ||
Esperanto's "kampanjo" derives from the French "campagne", meaning "field" or "countryside", possibly due to early military campaigns being conducted in rural areas. | |||
Latin | expeditionem | ||
Expeditionem, meaning 'campaign,' is derived from the Latin word 'expedire,' meaning 'to set free' or 'to prepare for travel'. |
Greek | καμπάνια | ||
In Italian the word campagna means "countryside" and "open fields" while in Spanish it refers to the "field" and to "farmland". | |||
Hmong | phiaj los nqis tes | ||
The word "phiaj los nqis tes" can also mean "battle" or "war" in Hmong. | |||
Kurdish | bêşvekirin | ||
The word "bêşvekirin" in Kurdish originates from the Persian word "behş-o-varin", meaning "to give and take", implying the exchange of ideas and resources during a campaign. | |||
Turkish | kampanya | ||
The Turkish word "kampanya" is derived from the Italian word "campagna", which means "countryside or open field". | |||
Xhosa | iphulo | ||
"Iphulo" also means a "collection of cattle" | |||
Yiddish | קאַמפּיין | ||
The Yiddish word 'קאַמפּיין' ('campaign') can also refer to a fundraising effort, a promotional drive, or a series of related events. | |||
Zulu | umkhankaso | ||
The word 'umkhankaso' in Zulu also refers to hunting and gathering of wild plants. | |||
Assamese | অভিযান | ||
Aymara | kamapaña | ||
Bhojpuri | अभियान | ||
Dhivehi | ކެމްޕޭނު | ||
Dogri | म्हीम | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | kampanya | ||
Guarani | myasãi | ||
Ilocano | kampania | ||
Krio | spɛshal program | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | هەڵمەت | ||
Maithili | अभियान | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯈꯣꯡꯖꯪ | ||
Mizo | beihrual | ||
Oromo | duula | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ଅଭିଯାନ | | ||
Quechua | tinkuchiy | ||
Sanskrit | प्रचारं | ||
Tatar | кампаниясе | ||
Tigrinya | ወፍሪ | ||
Tsonga | pfhumba | ||