Clothes in Different Languages
Discover 'Clothes' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
Clothes are more than just pieces of fabric we wear to cover our bodies. They are a reflection of our personal style, cultural background, and social status. From the elegant kimonos of Japan to the vibrant dashikis of West Africa, clothes have the power to tell stories and bridge cultural divides. Understanding the translation of clothes in different languages can open up new avenues of communication and appreciation for diverse cultures around the world.
Did you know that the word clothes has its roots in the Old English word clothes, which means a garment or cloth? Or that in ancient Rome, togas were the standard garment for citizens, while slaves and gladiators wore tunics? These fascinating historical contexts and more make the study of clothes in different languages all the more compelling.
Here are just a few examples of how the word clothes translates in different languages:
Clothes
Clothes in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | klere | ||
| The Afrikaans word "klere" originated from the Dutch word "klederen", meaning "garments" or "clothing". | |||
| Amharic | ልብሶች | ||
| "ልብሶች" means clothing or clothes, as far as I know, and I am unaware of any relevant connotations of it in Amharic. | |||
| Hausa | tufafi | ||
| "Tufafi" is also used to refer to items of clothing that are traditionally worn by people of specific ethnic or cultural groups in Nigeria. | |||
| Igbo | uwe | ||
| Igbo word "uwe" also translates to "skin" in certain contexts, indicating its intrinsic connection with the human body. | |||
| Malagasy | fitafiana | ||
| In Tahitian, fitafiana refers to the long garment worn by women. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | zovala | ||
| The word "zovala" in Nyanja (Chichewa) may also refer to "things" or "possessions" in a broader sense. | |||
| Shona | zvipfeko | ||
| The word "zvipfeko" comes from the Proto-Bantu root "*pfek-/", which means "to cover". It can also refer to a blanket or a bedspread. | |||
| Somali | dharka | ||
| In southern Somali, 'dharka' is the term for a 'woman's dress', while in northern Somali, it refers to a man's 'loincloth' or 'wrapper' | |||
| Sesotho | liaparo | ||
| The word 'liaparo' in Sesotho also refers to a type of traditional garment worn by women, typically characterized by a long, flowing skirt and a matching blouse. | |||
| Swahili | nguo | ||
| In Swahili, the word 'nguo' also has meanings related to clothing, such as 'fabric' and 'garment'. | |||
| Xhosa | iimpahla | ||
| The word "iimpahla" in Xhosa can also refer to the contents of a person's stomach. | |||
| Yoruba | aṣọ | ||
| The Yoruba word "aṣọ" not only means "clothes", but also refers to a cloth used in religious rituals or as a symbol of status and wealth. | |||
| Zulu | izingubo | ||
| In some dialects, "izingubo" can also refer to a special attire worn by a maiden during the "umhlonyane" fertility ceremony. | |||
| Bambara | fini | ||
| Ewe | nudodowo | ||
| Kinyarwanda | imyenda | ||
| Lingala | bilamba | ||
| Luganda | engoye | ||
| Sepedi | diaparo | ||
| Twi (Akan) | ntoma | ||
Clothes in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | ملابس | ||
| The word "ملابس" is derived from the Arabic root "لبس" meaning "to put on" or "to wear", and it can also refer to a particular type of garment or clothing item. | |||
| Hebrew | בגדים | ||
| The word "בגדים" (clothes) has the same root as the word "בגד" (treason), referencing the way clothing can conceal or reveal the body. | |||
| Pashto | کالي | ||
| The word "کالي" in Pashto is etymologically related to the Sanskrit word "कल" (kala), meaning "black" or "dark". | |||
| Arabic | ملابس | ||
| The word "ملابس" is derived from the Arabic root "لبس" meaning "to put on" or "to wear", and it can also refer to a particular type of garment or clothing item. | |||
Clothes in Western European Languages
| Albanian | rroba | ||
| The Albanian word “rroba” also means “dress” or “garment” and comes from the Latin word “roba,” meaning “thing” or “goods.” | |||
| Basque | arropa | ||
| The word "arropa" in Basque, meaning "clothes", is also a cognate of the Spanish word "ropa" and the French word "robe." | |||
| Catalan | roba | ||
| The word "roba" in Catalan means "clothes," but it also has other meanings such as "stuff," "goods," and "loot." | |||
| Croatian | odjeća | ||
| "Odjeća' comes from Proto-Slavic *odeti, meaning 'to dress,' and is cognate with other Slavic words for clothing. | |||
| Danish | tøj | ||
| The Danish word "tøj" comes from the Proto-Indo-European root "*tewǵ, | |||
| Dutch | kleren | ||
| The Middle Dutch word "clederen" originally meant the same as "cleet", a word for a piece of cloth used as a garment. | |||
| English | clothes | ||
| The word "clothes" derives from the Old English word "clath", meaning "cloth" or "garment". | |||
| French | vêtements | ||
| French "vêtements" comes from the Latin "vestimentum," which means "garment, raiment." Its cognate is the English word "vestment." | |||
| Frisian | klean | ||
| The word "klean" is used in Frisian to refer to the "clothes" one is currently wearing | |||
| Galician | roupa | ||
| "Roupa" derives from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁rewp-, meaning "tear" or "pull". It is cognate with Latin "rumpō" and English "rupture". The word also means "linen" in Portuguese and Spanish. | |||
| German | kleider | ||
| The German word "Kleider" originally referred only to garments made from cloth while garments made from leather or skin were termed " Gewand." | |||
| Icelandic | föt | ||
| The Icelandic word "föt" is cognate with the English word "feet," reflecting the historical use of animal skins for clothing. | |||
| Irish | éadaí | ||
| Éadaí, meaning 'clothes' or 'attire', derives from an Old Irish word that originally meant 'clothing material' and later came to mean 'clothing' itself. | |||
| Italian | abiti | ||
| Abiti (clothes) derives from Latin _habitus_ meaning "dress, condition, behavior" | |||
| Luxembourgish | kleeder | ||
| In informal contexts, "Kleeder" can also refer to "shoes" | |||
| Maltese | ħwejjeġ | ||
| Ħwejjeġ is derived from the Arabic word "hawāij" meaning "things of the house" or "belongings". | |||
| Norwegian | klær | ||
| The word 'klær' is derived from the Old Norse word 'klæði,' which means 'cloth' or 'material'. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | roupas | ||
| The word "roupas" in Portuguese is related to the Latin word "rupta", meaning "torn pieces", which refers to the rags or coarse fabrics used to make clothes in the past. | |||
| Scots Gaelic | aodach | ||
| The word 'aodach' is derived from the Old Irish word 'étach', meaning 'garment' or 'clothing'. | |||
| Spanish | ropa | ||
| The word "ropa" can also refer to the part of a bull's hide that is used to make leather. | |||
| Swedish | kläder | ||
| The word "kläder" is derived from the Old Norse word "kláð", meaning "cloth" or "garment". | |||
| Welsh | dillad | ||
| Welsh "dillad" shares its root with the Latin "vestimenta", both meaning "clothes". | |||
Clothes in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | адзенне | ||
| Беларуское “адзенне” и польское “odzienie” имеют один корень, и оба эти слова первоначально означали просто “одежда” - верхняя в том числе. | |||
| Bosnian | odjeću | ||
| Odjeća (clothes) originates from the old Slavonic word "oděti" which means "to be dressed". | |||
| Bulgarian | дрехи | ||
| "Дрехи" is a Bulgarian word that comes from the Proto-Slavic word *derti, meaning "to tear". | |||
| Czech | oblečení | ||
| "Oblečení" comes from the verb "obléci", which means "to get dressed" in Czech. | |||
| Estonian | riided | ||
| 'Rii' in Estonian language can also mean a strip of fabric or some other material | |||
| Finnish | vaatteet | ||
| "Vaatteet" comes from the same root as "vaata-" (to stare, to look) and refers to the act of covering and adorning the body in order to be looked at. | |||
| Hungarian | ruhák | ||
| The word "ruhák" may also refer to clothing materials in Hungarian. | |||
| Latvian | drēbes | ||
| It may share a common origin with the Russian word “тряпка” (rag) which may in turn be related to the Greek τρίβω ( I rub). | |||
| Lithuanian | drabužiai | ||
| The word "drabužiai" is derived from the Slavic word *drabuga* meaning "fabric". | |||
| Macedonian | алишта | ||
| "Алишта", meaning "clothes", stems from the verb "алиштам", "to change", implying the dynamic nature of clothing and personal style. | |||
| Polish | ubranie | ||
| The word 'ubranie' can also be used to refer to a person's manner of dressing or their style of clothing. | |||
| Romanian | haine | ||
| In Romanian, "haine" derives from the Latin word "lana", meaning "wool", and can also refer to clothing in general. | |||
| Russian | одежда | ||
| The Russian word "одежда" (clothes) ultimately derives from the Proto-Slavic root *oděti, meaning "to put on". | |||
| Serbian | одећа | ||
| Одећа can also mean 'clothing' in Serbian. | |||
| Slovak | oblečenie | ||
| 'Oblečenie' in Slovak comes from the Slavic word 'obleči', meaning 'to clothe' or 'to cover', and is related to the word 'oblek', meaning 'suit' or 'outfit'. | |||
| Slovenian | oblačila | ||
| Historically, the Slavic root used to form the word 'oblačilo' was also used to refer to clouds, fog or covering. | |||
| Ukrainian | одяг | ||
| Its root "дяг" means "to put on", but in the modern language this word only exists in the 3rd person plural form "дягнуть". | |||
Clothes in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | বস্ত্র | ||
| The word "বস্ত্র" can also refer to woven fabrics, textiles, or garments in Bengali. | |||
| Gujarati | કપડાં | ||
| The word "કપડાં" can also refer to a collection of clothes or a set of clothes worn together as an outfit. | |||
| Hindi | वस्त्र | ||
| Derived from the Sanskrit root 'vas', meaning 'to dwell' or 'to cover', the Hindi word 'वस्त्र' (clothes) also denotes the idea of protection or shelter. | |||
| Kannada | ಬಟ್ಟೆ | ||
| "ಬಟ್ಟೆ" is derived from the Proto-Dravidian *paṭṭa, meaning "to wrap or cover". | |||
| Malayalam | വസ്ത്രങ്ങൾ | ||
| Marathi | कपडे | ||
| In Marathi, "कपडे" derives from the Sanskrit word "कपट", meaning "deceit" or "disguise". | |||
| Nepali | लुगा | ||
| "लुगा" (clothes) is also a term used in the Mithila region to refer to a particular type of traditional wrap-around garment worn by women. | |||
| Punjabi | ਕਪੜੇ | ||
| The word "ਕਪੜੇ" is derived from the Sanskrit word "कपट", meaning "covering" or "disguise". | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | පැළදුම් | ||
| The word "පැළදුම්" ("clothes") in Sinhala derives from the Sanskrit word "पट्टवस्त्र" ("pattavastra"), meaning "garment", and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root "*pet-**" ("to spread out") which is also found in the English word "petticoat". | |||
| Tamil | ஆடைகள் | ||
| The Tamil word | |||
| Telugu | బట్టలు | ||
| The word "బట్టలు" (clothes) in Telugu is derived from the Sanskrit word "वस्त्र" (clothing). | |||
| Urdu | کپڑے | ||
| The word "کپڑے" in Urdu can also refer to the concept of "clothing" in a broader sense, encompassing both garments and other items worn on the body for protection or adornment. | |||
Clothes in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 衣服 | ||
| The word "衣服" can also refer to a formal dress code or uniform in Chinese. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 衣服 | ||
| The character 衣 in 衣服 literally means 'to cover', suggesting the main function of clothing; 服 additionally conveys the sense of 'submission' or 'obedience.' | |||
| Japanese | 服 | ||
| The word '服' in Japanese can also mean 'medicine' or 'service'. | |||
| Korean | 천 | ||
| '천' is also used to denote the 'sky' in Korean, derived from the Middle Korean word 'cheoneon' meaning 'heaven' or 'sky'. | |||
| Mongolian | хувцас | ||
| The word "хувцас" has multiple etymologies, including from the Mongolian verb "хувцасхуй", meaning "to cover or conceal". | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | အဝတ်အစား | ||
Clothes in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | pakaian | ||
| The Indonesian word 'pakaian' shares a Proto-Austronesian root with the Philippine word 'payak', meaning 'to cover'. | |||
| Javanese | klambi | ||
| The word "klambi" in Javanese can also refer to a piece of fabric used for wrapping or carrying something. | |||
| Khmer | សម្លៀកបំពាក់ | ||
| The term "សម្លៀកបំពាក់" (clothes) derives from the Sanskrit words "sam" (with, together) and "vastra" (garment), implying its function as a covering for the body. | |||
| Lao | ເຄື່ອງນຸ່ງຫົ່ມ | ||
| Malay | pakaian | ||
| The word "pakaian" can also refer to the act of dressing or grooming oneself in Malay. | |||
| Thai | เสื้อผ้า | ||
| The word "เสื้อผ้า" (clothes) in Thai is derived from the Sanskrit word "vastra" meaning "garment" or "cloth". | |||
| Vietnamese | quần áo | ||
| "Quần áo" literally means "pants-clothes," indicating the two basic pieces of clothing in Vietnamese culture. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | mga damit | ||
Clothes in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | paltar | ||
| The word "paltar" has a homonym meaning "rags" and can also be used to mean "clothes" or "garments" in Azerbaijani. | |||
| Kazakh | киім | ||
| In Turkish, "kıyafet" and "kiyim" both mean "clothes", reflecting the historical connections between the two languages. | |||
| Kyrgyz | кийим | ||
| The word "кийим" (clothes) in Kyrgyz is derived from the Old Turkic word "kiyik" meaning "wear, dress, raiment." | |||
| Tajik | либос | ||
| The word "либос" in Tajik is borrowed from the Persian word "lebas", meaning "garments" or "attire". | |||
| Turkmen | eşikler | ||
| Uzbek | kiyim-kechak | ||
| The Uzbek word `kiyim-kechak` also refers to any kind of fabric or cloth. | |||
| Uyghur | كىيىم | ||
Clothes in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | lole | ||
| The Hawaiian word 'lole' is also used to refer to fabric, clothing material, and garments. | |||
| Maori | kakahu | ||
| "Kakahu" can also refer to feathered cloaks used for ceremonies or worn after battle. | |||
| Samoan | ofu | ||
| "Ofu" can also mean "uniform" or an "outfit" | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | mga damit | ||
| The Tagalog word "mga damit" derives from "damít," its root word meaning "to cover" or "to clothe," and shares its root with "damít," a type of cloth or garment, and "damít-panlúob," undergarments. | |||
Clothes in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | isi | ||
| Guarani | ao | ||
Clothes in International Languages
| Esperanto | vestoj | ||
| "Vestoj" originates from the Latin "vestis," meaning "clothing" or "garment." | |||
| Latin | vestimenta sua | ||
| The Latin word "vestimenta sua" can also refer to "his/her/their clothes" or "the clothes of him/her/them". | |||
Clothes in Others Languages
| Greek | ρούχα | ||
| "Ρούχα" also means "stuff, things," as in η ντουλάπα έχει πολλά ρούχα, "the closet has a lot of stuff/things". | |||
| Hmong | khaub ncaws | ||
| The Hmong word "khaub ncaws" can also refer to bed sheets. | |||
| Kurdish | cil û berg | ||
| The Kurdish word "cil û berg" (clothes) is also used to refer to a person's attire or clothing.} | |||
| Turkish | çamaşırlar | ||
| The word "çamaşırlar" also refers to the process of washing clothes, likely stemming from its connection to water via the Persian word "çamāshīr". | |||
| Xhosa | iimpahla | ||
| The word "iimpahla" in Xhosa can also refer to the contents of a person's stomach. | |||
| Yiddish | קליידער | ||
| The Yiddish word "קליידער" is derived from the Slavic word "klady" and can also refer to a piece of furniture such as a wardrobe. | |||
| Zulu | izingubo | ||
| In some dialects, "izingubo" can also refer to a special attire worn by a maiden during the "umhlonyane" fertility ceremony. | |||
| Assamese | কাপোৰ | ||
| Aymara | isi | ||
| Bhojpuri | कपड़ा | ||
| Dhivehi | ހެދުންތައް | ||
| Dogri | कपड़े | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | mga damit | ||
| Guarani | ao | ||
| Ilocano | dagiti badu | ||
| Krio | klos | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | جلوبەرگ | ||
| Maithili | कपड़ा | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯐꯤꯔꯣꯜ | ||
| Mizo | thawmhnaw | ||
| Oromo | uffannaa | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ପୋଷାକ | ||
| Quechua | pachakuna | ||
| Sanskrit | वस्त्राणि | ||
| Tatar | кием | ||
| Tigrinya | ክዳውንቲ | ||
| Tsonga | swiambalo | ||