Classic in Different Languages
Discover 'Classic' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'classic' is a timeless term that has stood the test of history. Its significance extends far beyond its simple definition, as it often represents cultural touchstones that have endured for generations. From literature to fashion, automobiles to architecture, a 'classic' is something that has proven its value and earned a place in our collective consciousness.
Moreover, the concept of a 'classic' is not limited to any one culture or language. In fact, the term has been translated into a multitude of languages, each with its own unique cultural nuances and connotations. For example, in Spanish, 'classic' translates to 'clásico,' while in French, it becomes 'classique.' Meanwhile, in German, the word takes on a slightly more technical tone, translating to 'Klassiker.'
Understanding the translations of 'classic' in different languages can offer valuable insights into the cultural significance of this term around the world. By exploring these translations, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the enduring power of 'classic' as a cultural touchstone, and the ways in which it has been embraced and interpreted by different cultures and languages throughout history.
Classic
Classic in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | klassiek | ||
| The Afrikaans word "klassiek" can also refer to "classical music" or "a group of classical musicians." | |||
| Amharic | ጥንታዊ | ||
| The word "ጥንታዊ" in Amharic can also refer to ancient, traditional, or old-fashioned. | |||
| Hausa | na gargajiya | ||
| The Hausa word "na gargajiya" derives from Arabic, where it originally meant "in the manner of the ancients," referring to traditional styles of poetry and literature. | |||
| Igbo | kpochapụwo | ||
| Kpochapụwo is derived from the phrase "kpọ ncha pụwo," which means "old things have passed away." | |||
| Malagasy | mahazatra | ||
| Although "mahazatra" often means "classic", it can sometimes also mean "normal" or "regular" depending on context. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | zachikale | ||
| The word "zachikale" in Nyanja (Chichewa) is also used to mean "ancient" or "old-fashioned". | |||
| Shona | classic | ||
| The term 'classic' can also refer to a literary work that serves as a perfect or typical example of a genre | |||
| Somali | caadi ah | ||
| The word "caadi ah" also means "normal" or "common" in Somali. | |||
| Sesotho | khale | ||
| The word khale is also used to describe something that is not in fashion, outdated, or old. | |||
| Swahili | classic | ||
| Katika Kiswahili neno “classic” lina maana kadhaa, pamoja na “cha jadi” au “cha mfano”.} | |||
| Xhosa | iklasikhi | ||
| The word 'iklasikhi' can also mean 'original' or 'ancient' in Xhosa. | |||
| Yoruba | ayebaye | ||
| "Ayebaye" is also the term used in Yoruba to describe objects or art works made of bronze or copper, which is a testament to the importance of bronze work in traditional Yoruba culture. | |||
| Zulu | zakudala | ||
| "Zakudala" can also refer to something or someone traditional or conservative. | |||
| Bambara | klasiki | ||
| Ewe | classic | ||
| Kinyarwanda | kera | ||
| Lingala | classique ya kala | ||
| Luganda | classic | ||
| Sepedi | classic | ||
| Twi (Akan) | classic | ||
Classic in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | كلاسيكي | ||
| In Arabic, the word "كلاسيكي" also means "traditional" or "conventional". | |||
| Hebrew | קלַאסִי | ||
| The Hebrew word 'קלַאסִי' (classic) comes from the Greek word 'κλασικός' (classic), which originates from the Latin word 'classicus' (of the highest class). | |||
| Pashto | کلاسیک | ||
| The Pashto word "کلاسیک" (classic) also means "basic" or "fundamental". | |||
| Arabic | كلاسيكي | ||
| In Arabic, the word "كلاسيكي" also means "traditional" or "conventional". | |||
Classic in Western European Languages
| Albanian | klasik | ||
| The word "klasik" in Albanian can also mean "traditional" or "common". | |||
| Basque | klasikoa | ||
| The Basque word "klasikoa" also means "something that is old or traditional". | |||
| Catalan | clàssic | ||
| In Catalonia, the term clàssic is also associated with a type of traditional Catalan folk dancing. | |||
| Croatian | klasična | ||
| The word "klasična" is also used to refer to traditional food or music in Croatian. | |||
| Danish | klassisk | ||
| In Denmark, "klassisk" can also refer to music written during the Classical period or to ballet. | |||
| Dutch | klassiek | ||
| Dutch "klassiek" can also mean "class" or "genre". | |||
| English | classic | ||
| "Classic" originally meant "of the highest class" or "first-rate" in Latin. | |||
| French | classique | ||
| The French word "classique" can also mean "first class" or "top-quality". | |||
| Frisian | klassiker | ||
| The word "klassiker" in Frisian also means "a very good book". | |||
| Galician | clásico | ||
| German | klassisch | ||
| In German, the word "klassisch" can also mean "first-class" or "of high quality". | |||
| Icelandic | klassískt | ||
| The word "klassískt" is derived from the Latin word "classicus", which means "belonging to the highest class" or "of the first rank". | |||
| Irish | clasaiceach | ||
| The word "clasaiceach" can also mean "aristocratic" or "noble" in Irish. | |||
| Italian | classico | ||
| While it mainly refers to something classical and of high merit, the word can also mean something elegant or first class in Italian. | |||
| Luxembourgish | klassesch | ||
| Alternately spelled "klasesch," the word is a cognate of "classic," ultimately deriving from the Latin "classicus," meaning "belonging to the highest class." | |||
| Maltese | klassika | ||
| The word 'klassika' in Maltese is the plural of 'klassiku', derived from the Italian 'classico' and ultimately from the Latin 'classicus'. | |||
| Norwegian | klassisk | ||
| "Klassisk" can also mean "elegant" or "sophisticated" in Norwegian. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | clássico | ||
| In Portuguese, "clássico" can also refer to a soccer match between two traditional rivals. | |||
| Scots Gaelic | clasaigeach | ||
| The word "clasaigeach" is also used to describe a highly skilled tradesman or craftsman. | |||
| Spanish | clásico | ||
| In Spanish, "clásico" can also refer to a soccer match between two rival teams or a movie that has become a cultural icon. | |||
| Swedish | klassisk | ||
| The word klassisk can also refer to something of high quality or regarded as a standard in its genre. | |||
| Welsh | clasurol | ||
| Clasurol is a loanword from English, and can mean "classical" or "elegant" in Welsh. | |||
Classic in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | класічны | ||
| In Belarusian "класічны" (classics) is a literary term referring to works of ancient Greek and ancient Roman literature and culture | |||
| Bosnian | klasična | ||
| Klasična also means "classic" or "first-class" in Bosnian, derived from the Latin word "classicus," meaning "relating to the highest class of Roman citizens." | |||
| Bulgarian | класически | ||
| В българския език думата "класически" може да означава също и "училищен", "традиционен" или "приет от обществото". | |||
| Czech | klasický | ||
| Klasický comes from the Latin “classicus”, meaning “pertaining to the highest class of citizens”. The word also carries the connotation of “traditional” or “timeless”. | |||
| Estonian | klassikaline | ||
| "Klassikaline" combines meanings of "classic" and "classicism", not to be confused with "klass" ("class") | |||
| Finnish | klassinen | ||
| In Finnish, "klassinen" can also refer to the Neoclassical artistic or architectural styles of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. | |||
| Hungarian | klasszikus | ||
| The Hungarian word "klasszikus" derives from Latin "classicus" meaning "of the highest class" and Greek "kleidios" meaning "of the key". Originally it meant "writer or work belonging to the highest rank" and only later gained its modern meaning of "serving as a model". | |||
| Latvian | klasika | ||
| In the 1930s the term could also refer to “a piece that, due to its artistic merit, has been included in a school curriculum.” | |||
| Lithuanian | klasikinis | ||
| "Klasikinis" (classic) in Lithuanian also means "traditional". | |||
| Macedonian | класичен | ||
| In Macedonian, "класичен" also means "typical", "traditional", or "stereotypical". | |||
| Polish | klasyczny | ||
| The word 'klasyczny' in Polish also refers to the Classical period of music, particularly to the works of Vienna-based composers | |||
| Romanian | clasic | ||
| The Romanian word "clasic" also means "a male student at a theological seminary". | |||
| Russian | классический | ||
| Слово «классический» происходит от латинского слова classis и имеет первоначальный смысл «отличный», «первоклассный». | |||
| Serbian | класична | ||
| The word "класична" derives from the Greek "κλασικός" (classical), meaning "of the highest order, excellence" or "first-rate, preeminent". | |||
| Slovak | klasický | ||
| "Klasický" in Slovak comes from the Latin word "classicus," which means "of the highest class". | |||
| Slovenian | klasična | ||
| "Klasična" (classical) has multiple meanings, including a type of guitar and a style of music in Slovenian. | |||
| Ukrainian | класичний | ||
| The Ukrainian word "класичний" also means "typical" or "characteristic." | |||
Classic in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | ক্লাসিক | ||
| "ক্লাসিক" শব্দটির মূল অর্থ 'প্রথম শ্রেণির' এবং এটি ল্যাটিন শব্দ 'ক্লাসিস' থেকে এসেছে, যার অর্থ 'বর্গ'। | |||
| Gujarati | ઉત્તમ | ||
| The Gujarati word "ઉત્તમ" (uttam), akin to the Sanskrit "uttama," denotes not just "classic," but also excellence, superlative quality, and virtue. | |||
| Hindi | क्लासिक | ||
| The Hindi word 'क्लासिक' (classic) is derived ultimately from Ancient Greek 'κλασικός' (classical), meaning 'of the first class'. | |||
| Kannada | ಕ್ಲಾಸಿಕ್ | ||
| The word "ಕ್ಲಾಸಿಕ್" (classic) in Kannada can also mean "first-rate" or "of the highest quality." | |||
| Malayalam | ക്ലാസിക് | ||
| The Malayalam equivalent "ക്ലാസിക്" can also mean "conventional", "traditional", or "old-fashioned". | |||
| Marathi | क्लासिक | ||
| The Marathi word "क्लासिक" (klāsik) is derived from the Hindi word "क्लासिक" (klāsik), which in turn comes from the English word "classic", meaning "belonging to or associated with the classical period of Greek or Roman literature or art; outstanding and lasting in its excellence or quality" | |||
| Nepali | क्लासिक | ||
| The word "classic" originates from the Latin word "classicus", meaning "belonging to the highest class" or "of the first rank". | |||
| Punjabi | ਕਲਾਸਿਕ | ||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | සම්භාව්ය | ||
| Tamil | செந்தரம் | ||
| செந்தரம் in Tamil is related to 'red' or 'gold' and also means 'true' or 'genuine'. | |||
| Telugu | క్లాసిక్ | ||
| Urdu | کلاسک | ||
| کلاسک originates from the Greek word 'classicus,' which means 'of the highest class' or 'first-rate'. | |||
Classic in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 经典 | ||
| The Chinese term "经典" (classic) can also refer to Buddhist scriptures, canonical texts, or essential works in a field. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 經典 | ||
| 「經典」在中文中的本意為「有恆久價值的典籍」，引申為「有固定模式、為範例的事物」等含義。 | |||
| Japanese | クラシック | ||
| In Japanese, "クラシック" (kurashikku) can also refer to western classical music or western music in general. | |||
| Korean | 권위 있는 | ||
| Mongolian | сонгодог | ||
| The word "сонгодог" also refers to a kind of traditional Mongolian folk song sung by herders while herding their animals. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | ဂန္ထဝင် | ||
| The word ဂန္ထဝင် (classic) in Myanmar (Burmese) is derived from the Pali word 'gantha' meaning 'book' or 'sacred text' and the suffix '-vin' meaning 'possessing'. It can also refer to something that is considered traditional, conventional, or authoritative. | |||
Classic in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | klasik | ||
| The Indonesian word 'klasik' is derived from Dutch 'klassiek' meaning both 'classic' and a type of Dutch dance. | |||
| Javanese | klasik | ||
| Klasik in Javanese can also mean 'pattern' or 'example' | |||
| Khmer | បុរាណ | ||
| In Khmer, "បុរាណ" is rooted in Sanskrit and can also denote "old", "past", "ancient", "historical", or "venerable". | |||
| Lao | ຄລາສສິກ | ||
| Malay | klasik | ||
| The word "klasik" can also refer to traditional music or a specific type of theatre in Malaysia. | |||
| Thai | คลาสสิก | ||
| The word "คลาสสิก" in Thai can also refer to a type of traditional Thai music. | |||
| Vietnamese | cổ điển | ||
| In Vietnamese, ''cổ điển'' can mean ''tradition'' or ''traditional'' in certain contexts. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | klasiko | ||
Classic in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | klassik | ||
| Klassik is derived from the French word classique, meaning “of the highest class” or “belonging to the first rank”. | |||
| Kazakh | классикалық | ||
| The Kazakh word «классикалық» translates to «classic» in English and may also refer to something «classic» or «canonical» in Kazakh literature. | |||
| Kyrgyz | классикалык | ||
| Tajik | классикӣ | ||
| Tajik "классикӣ" can also mean "authoritative" or "normative". | |||
| Turkmen | klassiki | ||
| Uzbek | klassik | ||
| "Klassik" can also mean "standard", "example", or "example for imitation" in Uzbek. | |||
| Uyghur | كىلاسسىك | ||
Classic in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | kilakila | ||
| The Hawaiian word "kilakila" also means "to shine", "to gleam", or "to sparkle". | |||
| Maori | aronui | ||
| In New Zealand slang, "aronui" can also mean "good-looking" or "stylish". | |||
| Samoan | masani | ||
| Masani also refers to a sacred Samoan tattoo reserved for high chiefs. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | klasiko | ||
| The word "klasiko" is derived from the Spanish word "clásico", which in turn is derived from the Latin word "classicus", meaning "relating to the highest class or rank." | |||
Classic in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | clásico ukat juk’ampinaka | ||
| Guarani | clásico | ||
Classic in International Languages
| Esperanto | klasika | ||
| The word "klasika" also means "the classical period of Esperanto literature," from 1905 to 1925. | |||
| Latin | classic | ||
| The Latin word "classicus" originally meant "of the highest class," referring to Roman citizens of the highest social rank. | |||
Classic in Others Languages
| Greek | κλασσικός | ||
| The word "κλασσικός" (classic) originates from the Greek word "κλάω" (to break) and was originally used to describe citizens belonging to the upper class. | |||
| Hmong | classic | ||
| The Hmong word "classic" means not only "classic", but also "beautiful". | |||
| Kurdish | klasîk | ||
| Turkish | klasik | ||
| In Turkish, the word "klasik" also means "traditional", "conventional", or "orthodox". | |||
| Xhosa | iklasikhi | ||
| The word 'iklasikhi' can also mean 'original' or 'ancient' in Xhosa. | |||
| Yiddish | קלאַסיש | ||
| "קלáñáסיש": Yiddish, from Middle High German "klassich", from Latin classicus "belonging to a higher social class" | |||
| Zulu | zakudala | ||
| "Zakudala" can also refer to something or someone traditional or conservative. | |||
| Assamese | ক্লাসিক | ||
| Aymara | clásico ukat juk’ampinaka | ||
| Bhojpuri | क्लासिक के बा | ||
| Dhivehi | ކްލާސިކް އެވެ | ||
| Dogri | क्लासिक | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | klasiko | ||
| Guarani | clásico | ||
| Ilocano | klasiko | ||
| Krio | klashik | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | کلاسیک | ||
| Maithili | क्लासिक | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯀ꯭ꯂꯥꯁꯤꯛ ꯑꯣꯏꯕꯥ꯫ | ||
| Mizo | classic a ni | ||
| Oromo | classic | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | କ୍ଲାସିକ୍ | ||
| Quechua | clásico nisqa | ||
| Sanskrit | classic | ||
| Tatar | классик | ||
| Tigrinya | ክላሲካል | ||
| Tsonga | classic | ||