Clue in different languages

Clue in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'clue' holds immense significance in many contexts, often referring to something that helps uncover a mystery or solve a problem. Its cultural importance is evident in literature, film, and games, where clues guide protagonists and audiences alike through intriguing narratives. For instance, in the classic board game Clue, players gather and interpret clues to identify a culprit. But what about those who speak languages other than English? Knowing the translation of 'clue' in different languages can open up new experiences and understanding for language learners and enthusiasts worldwide.

Consider the French word 'indice,' which, like 'clue,' can help solve a puzzle or crime. Or the Italian 'indizio,' which might lead a detective to a long-sought answer. In German, 'Spur' can mean a track, trail, or clue, while in Spanish, 'pista' refers to a clue or tip. These translations not only help us navigate linguistic landscapes but also reveal cultural nuances and historical contexts associated with the concept of a 'clue.'

Clue


Clue in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansleidraad
In German, "Leitfaden" is the leading thread in a labyrinth, while "draad" is "thread" in Afrikaans, hence "
Amharicፍንጭ
The word
Hausara'ayi
"Ra'ayi" derives from the Arabic word "رأي" (opinion, judgment), as clues often guide opinions and judgments.
Igboihe ngosi
The Igbo term 'ihe ngosi' (literally, 'thing of showing') also refers to evidence that helps prove the guilt or innocence of an accused party in traditional Igbo courts.
Malagasyvakio ny
Vakio ny is Malagasy for 'clue', however it also has the connotation of something 'found'.
Nyanja (Chichewa)yankho
The word "yankho" is also used to refer to a "solution" or "answer".
Shonaclue
The Shona word "rufu" originally meant "path" or "trace" but now also means "clue".
Somalitilmaam
The word "tilmaam" can also refer to a secret or a riddle.
Sesotholeseli
The word can also refer to an animal that leads others to water or to a place with good grazing.
Swahilikidokezo
Kidokezo is cognate with kitendawili (riddle) and tendo (puzzle).
Xhosaumkhondo
The Xhosa word "umkhondo" can also mean "a path" or "a track".
Yorubaolobo
The word "olobo" also means "thief" in Yoruba, which could be a reference to the sneaky nature of clues.
Zuluumkhondo
The word "umkhondo" can also refer to a path or trail in Zulu, further emphasizing its connection to the process of solving a mystery or puzzle.
Bambaraekuru
Ewedzesi
Kinyarwandaibimenyetso
Lingalaeloko ezosalisa na koyeba
Lugandaekikundi
Sepedisekgomaretši
Twi (Akan)adwene

Clue in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicفكرة
The word 'فكرة' is derived from the Proto-Semitic root *FKR, meaning 'to think' or 'to remember'.
Hebrewרֶמֶז
רֶמֶז, which means "clue," is a feminine noun that comes from the root ר-מ-ז and can also mean "hint" or "suggestion".
Pashtoنښې
The word "نښې" in Pashto is derived from the Persian word "نشان" (nishān), meaning "sign" or "mark."
Arabicفكرة
The word 'فكرة' is derived from the Proto-Semitic root *FKR, meaning 'to think' or 'to remember'.

Clue in Western European Languages

Albaniançelës
The Albanian word "çelës" (clue) derives from the Greek word "kleis" (key), indicating its use as a means to unlock information or secrets.
Basquearrastoa
In modern Basque, "arrastoa" refers to a "clue" or "hint", while in Old Basque it meant "step" or "stride."
Catalanpista
The word "pista" in Catalan comes from the Latin "spica", meaning "ear of corn", and also refers to a narrow path or road.
Croatiantrag
In Old Church Slavonic, the word "trag" also referred to a "path" or "route"}
Danishnøgle
"Nøgle" in Danish also means "key".
Dutchaanwijzing
The word "aanwijzing" in Dutch can also refer to an instruction or a direction.
Englishclue
Etymology: Middle English clue, from Old English cleowen, meaning "ball of thread".
Frenchindice
In French, the word "indice" derives from the Latin word "index," meaning "pointer" or "indicator."
Frisianoanwizing
The origin of the word "oanwizing" is obscure, but it may be related to the Old Saxon word "anwisien," meaning "to show". It is also possible that it is derived from the Middle Dutch word "oanwisen," meaning "to point out". The word "oanwizing" also has the alternate meaning of "evidence" or "proof".
Galicianpista
The word "pista" in Galician also refers to a racetrack or runway, and can carry the alternate meaning of "trail" or "path" in certain contexts.
Germanhinweis
The etymology is obscure although the word is sometimes thought to be a loan from Slavic, ultimately related to "hint."
Icelandicvísbending
Vísbending relates to 'bent' (bendinga), indicating something that leads astray or causes error
Irishleid
The Irish word "leid" can also mean track or trail, suggesting a connection to the pursuit of knowledge and the unraveling of mysteries.
Italiantraccia
"Traccia" also means "track" and derives from the Latin "tractiare," meaning "to drag" or "to pull". This implies that a clue is something that leads you along a path.
Luxembourgishhiweis
The word "Hiweis" likely originates from the Proto-Germanic language branch.
Malteseħjiel
The word "ħjiel" ultimately derives from the Italian "guida", meaning "guide" or "sign", and is semantically related to "gwida" (guide), "ħajt" (route) and "hija" (it is).
Norwegianledetråd
In Swedish, "ledetråd" refers specifically to a clue in a crime investigation.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)pista
'Pista' can also mean 'slope' or 'dance floor' in Portuguese, derived from the Italian word 'pista' ('race-track').
Scots Gaelicboillsgeadh
The word "boillsgeadh" in Scots Gaelic can also mean "a knot" or "a swelling or boil".
Spanishpista
The word 'pista' in Spanish can also refer to a race track or an airport runway.
Swedishledtråd
Ledtråd, meaning "clue" in Swedish, can also refer to a "life line" in a lake or to metal wire.
Welshcliw
Cliw, "clue," also means "crag," or "precipice" in Welsh.

Clue in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianпадказка
The word 'падказка' is derived from the verb 'казаць' meaning 'to say', indicating a piece of information that is said in secret or whispered.
Bosniantrag
The Bosnian word "trag" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "trgъ", meaning "path" or "road".
Bulgarianулика
In Bulgarian, "улика" can also mean "evidence" or "proof".
Czechvodítko
The word "vodítko" is cognate with the word "vodič" which means "driver" and can also refer to "a leash for a dog".
Estonianaimugi
The word "aimugi" also means "a thought" or "an idea" in Estonian.
Finnishvihje
The word "vihje" may also refer to a "hint" or a "tip" in Finnish.
Hungariannyom
Nyom "clue" comes from the verb *nyom*, "to press" (e.g. nyomtatni "to print") or "to follow a track" (e.g. nyomkövetni "to trace").
Latvianpavediens
The word "pavediens" comes from the Latin word "pavens" meaning "one who trembles or fears".
Lithuanianužuomina
The Lithuanian word "užuomina" (clue) also means "hint" or "suggestion."
Macedonianпоим
In Old Church Slavonic, 'поим' refers to drinking, suggesting a link between finding solutions and refreshment.
Polishwskazówka
The word "Wskazówka" also means "pointer", "hint", or "guide" in Polish.
Romaniancheie
Romanian word "cheie" has additional meanings like "key" or "main point" that suggest a connection to Latin "clavis" ("key")
Russianключ к разгадке
The Russian word "ключ к разгадке" (clue) is related to the word "ключ" (key), which can also mean "solution" or "explanation".
Serbianтраг
The word "траг" in Serbian also means a "trace" and is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "tьrgъ", meaning "a rubbing, a mark".
Slovakindícia
The word "indícia" is borrowed from Latin and originally meant "pointer, indication, sign".
Sloveniannamig
The word "namig" in Slovenian is a borrowing from German "Namen" meaning "name" or "designation".
Ukrainianпідказка
The Ukrainian word "підказка" also means "hint".

Clue in South Asian Languages

Bengaliক্লু
The word 'clue' is derived from the Middle English word 'clew', which means 'a ball of thread' or 'a guide'.
Gujaratiચાવી
In Gujarati, "ચાવી" (chaavi) also means "key," potentially indicating its role as a tool for unlocking information or solving mysteries.
Hindiसंकेत
The Sanskrit origin of 'संकेत' ('clue') also implies a 'sign, gesture, or symbol'.
Kannadaಸುಳಿವು
The word "ಸುಳಿವು" is also used to indicate a suggestion, a hint, or a piece of advice in Kannada.
Malayalamസൂചന
The term “സൂചന” originates from the Sanskrit word “sūcana”, which means “indication or sign”.
Marathiसुगावा
"सुगावा" (clue) in Marathi originally meant 'thread' and 'hint'
Nepaliसुराग
सुराग (Nepali) comes from the Sanskrit word 'sura', meaning 'alcohol', as it originally referred to a trail of alcohol left behind by a person or animal.
Punjabiਸੁਰਾਗ
The word "ਸੁਰਾਗ" (clue) in Punjabi shares its etymology with the Persian "سر آگاه" (secret awareness or knowledge), suggesting its use as a means to uncover hidden information.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)හෝඩුවාව
Sinhala හෝඩුවාව comes from Tamil கூடு (kūṭu; "nest") implying a connection between the clues and hiding something.
Tamilதுப்பு
The Tamil word "துப்பு" (clue) also means "a point," "a hint," or "a sign."
Teluguక్లూ
"క్లూ" is derived from the Middle English word "clew", meaning a ball of thread.
Urduاشارہ
The word "اشارہ" (clue) is derived from the Arabic word "اشار" (to point out, indicate), and can also mean "sign, indication, reference, or hint."

Clue in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)线索
The Chinese word “线索” means “clue” but can also mean “thread” or “guideline”.
Chinese (Traditional)線索
線索 is a calque of the English word "clue", and has the connotation of "evidence".
Japanese手がかり
The Japanese word "手がかり" (clue) originally referred to a "handhold" or "support".
Korean실마리
실마리는 '실'('thread')과 '마리'('end')가 합쳐져 '실의 끝'이라는 뜻으로, 길을 찾는 데에 비유적으로 쓰이게 되었습니다.
Mongolianсэжүүр
The word "сэжүүр" in Mongolian comes from the verb "сэжүүх", which means "to guide" or "to lead."
Myanmar (Burmese)သဲလွန်စ

Clue in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianpetunjuk
The word "petunjuk" in Indonesian can also mean "indication", "hint", or "instruction."
Javanesepitunjuk
In Javanese, "pitunjuk" can also refer to a guide or signpost, indicating a path to follow or a direction to go.
Khmerតម្រុយ
"តម្រុយ" is also a kind of game where one person hides something and gives the others clues to find it.
Laoຂໍ້ຄຶດ
Malaypetunjuk
The Malay word "petunjuk" can also refer to "guidance" or "instruction".
Thaiเบาะแส
"เบาะแส" (clue) comes from the Sanskrit word "bhedaśa," meaning "separation" or "difference."
Vietnamesemanh mối
The word "manh mối" also means "evidence" in Vietnamese, suggesting its connection to the idea of "finding" or "revealing" information.
Filipino (Tagalog)bakas

Clue in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniipucu
The word "ipucu" in Azerbaijani comes from the Persian word "ipuk", which means "thread" or "clue".
Kazakhанықтама
"Анықтама" also refers to a certificate or attestation of education.
Kyrgyzачкыч
The Kyrgyz word "ачкыч" (clue) is derived from the Turkic root "açı-" meaning "to open".
Tajikкалид
The word "калид" also means "key" in Tajik.
Turkmendüşündiriş
Uzbekmaslahat
Uzbek “maslahat” is of Persian origin and can also mean 'policy' or 'expedience' depending on context.
Uyghurيىپ ئۇچى

Clue in Pacific Languages

Hawaiiankuhi
"Kūhi" is also the Hawaiian word for "secret" and "mystery."
Maoritohu
In Maori the word "tohu" can also mean "sign" or "indication."
Samoanfaʻailo
The term fa'ailo also refers to the stars that point the way to travellers at night.
Tagalog (Filipino)bakas
The Tagalog word "bakas" also means "trace, mark, or scar."

Clue in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarawakiskiri
Guaranimarandurendapy

Clue in International Languages

Esperantoindico
"Indico" derives from the Latin "index," meaning "indicator" or "pointer."
Latinclue
"Clue" originates from the Latin word "globus," meaning "ball of thread", as a clue was originally a ball of yarn used to find one's way back through a labyrinth.

Clue in Others Languages

Greekένδειξη
The Greek word "ένδειξη" also means "indication" or "evidence", and is related to the verb "ενδεικνύω" ("to indicate").
Hmongpov thawj
The Hmong word 'pov thawj' also means 'evidence' or 'proof'.
Kurdishagah
The word could be traced from Persian (آگاه), which can have a broad sense in other contexts such as being “informed/conscious of” an object, person, place or general subject.
Turkishipucu
"İpucu" has also the meaning of "tip" or "money given as a tip".
Xhosaumkhondo
The Xhosa word "umkhondo" can also mean "a path" or "a track".
Yiddishקלו
The Yiddish word "קלו" (clue) is derived from the German word "klühe" (crack, crevice), suggesting a connection to solving puzzles or uncovering hidden information.
Zuluumkhondo
The word "umkhondo" can also refer to a path or trail in Zulu, further emphasizing its connection to the process of solving a mystery or puzzle.
Assameseসূত্ৰ
Aymarawakiskiri
Bhojpuriसंकेत
Dhivehiކްލޫ
Dogriसराग
Filipino (Tagalog)bakas
Guaranimarandurendapy
Ilocanopagilasinan
Krioɛp
Kurdish (Sorani)بەڵگە
Maithiliसंकेत
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯂꯪꯂꯥ ꯂꯪꯖꯤꯟ
Mizosulhnu
Oromoragaa xiqqoo
Odia (Oriya)ସୂଚକ
Quechuayupi
Sanskritसङ्केत
Tatarаңлатма
Tigrinyaፍንጪ
Tsongaxikombiso

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