Commander in Different Languages
Discover 'Commander' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'commander' holds a significant place in our vocabulary, symbolizing leadership, authority, and control. Its cultural importance is evident in various fields, from the military to space exploration, where individuals who hold this title inspire respect and obedience. Knowing the translation of 'commander' in different languages can be beneficial for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you're a language enthusiast seeking to expand your vocabulary or a professional who frequently collaborates with international colleagues. Understanding this term in various languages can foster effective communication and cultural appreciation.
For instance, in Spanish, 'commander' is 'comandante', while in French, it's 'commandant'. In German, it's 'Kommandant', and in Russian, it's 'командир' (komandir). These translations not only offer insight into linguistic nuances but also reflect the historical and cultural contexts of the word 'commander'.
Discover more translations of 'commander' in our comprehensive list below, and deepen your understanding of this powerful word.
Commander
Commander in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | bevelvoerder | ||
| The etymology of "bevelvoerder" in Afrikaans is "bevel" (command) and "voerder" (leader), and its alternative meaning is "military commander". | |||
| Amharic | አዛዥ | ||
| The word 'አዛዥ' can also refer to a police officer in some contexts. | |||
| Hausa | kwamanda | ||
| Kwamanda derives from kwama (to govern, control) or from komanda (European-derived). | |||
| Igbo | ọchịagha | ||
| "Ọchịagha" is etymologically related to the word "ọchị", meaning "hold on", and "agha", meaning "war", suggesting the role of a commander in holding the fort during battles. | |||
| Malagasy | mpitari-tafika | ||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | mtsogoleri | ||
| "Mtsogoleri" also refers to a military officer holding a rank equivalent to a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy. | |||
| Shona | mutungamiri | ||
| The word "mutungamiri" is derived from the verb "tungamira" (to lead), and the prefix "mu" (a person). | |||
| Somali | taliye | ||
| The word 'taliye' also means 'general, leader, or guide' in Somali. | |||
| Sesotho | molaoli | ||
| Molaoli also means a 'senior traditional doctor' or a 'chief in charge of initiating young men'. | |||
| Swahili | kamanda | ||
| The Swahili word "kamanda" can also refer to a type of traditional shield or a military rank. | |||
| Xhosa | umphathi | ||
| In its archaic form, 'umphathi' also refers to the chief's right-hand man or advisor. | |||
| Yoruba | balogun | ||
| Balogun, meaning "commander," also refers to historical military leaders, deities, lineages, or a chief with military responsibilities among the Yoruba. | |||
| Zulu | umphathi | ||
| The word "umphathi" derives from the verb "ukuphatha" (to hold), signifying the commander's authority and responsibility. | |||
| Bambara | komandan | ||
| Ewe | aʋafiagã | ||
| Kinyarwanda | umuyobozi | ||
| Lingala | mokonzi ya basoda | ||
| Luganda | omuduumizi w’amagye | ||
| Sepedi | molaodi wa molao | ||
| Twi (Akan) | ɔsahene | ||
Commander in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | القائد | ||
| القائد is derived from the verb "قاد" (to lead), and can also mean "leader" or "chief." | |||
| Hebrew | מְפַקֵד | ||
| In addition to 'commander' it can also mean 'inspector' or 'accountant'. | |||
| Pashto | قوماندان | ||
| Pashto word 'قوماندان' ('commander') originates from the Arabic word' قومند',' an Ottoman military rank. | |||
| Arabic | القائد | ||
| القائد is derived from the verb "قاد" (to lead), and can also mean "leader" or "chief." | |||
Commander in Western European Languages
| Albanian | komandant | ||
| In Albanian, “komandant” also refers to a leader or military figure, and is related to the word “komandë” meaning command or order. | |||
| Basque | komandantea | ||
| In addition to "commander," "komandantea" in Basque can also mean "leader," "chief," or "captain." | |||
| Catalan | comandant | ||
| In Catalan, "comandant" can also refer to a military or police lieutenant. | |||
| Croatian | zapovjednik | ||
| The word “zapovjednik” derives from the verb “zapovijedati” - “to command”, “to order” and suffix “-nik” which usually denotes person or profession. | |||
| Danish | kommandør | ||
| In Danish, "kommandør" has an additional meaning: "officer of the Order of the Dannebrog" | |||
| Dutch | commandant | ||
| In Dutch, "commandant" literally translates to "have in hand", or "be in command of", highlighting the person's authority. | |||
| English | commander | ||
| The word "commander" derives from the Latin "commandare," meaning "to entrust" or "to put in charge." | |||
| French | le commandant | ||
| Derived from Latin "commendare" meaning "to entrust to"} | |||
| Frisian | kommandant | ||
| Frisian "kommandant" can also mean "commando unit". | |||
| Galician | comandante | ||
| In Galician, "comandante" can also refer to a military rank below captain, equivalent to lieutenant commander in the navy or major in the army. | |||
| German | kommandant | ||
| The word Kommandant may also refer to the commander of a military unit in some German-speaking contexts. | |||
| Icelandic | yfirmaður | ||
| In Old Norse, 'yfirmaður' additionally meant 'overseer' or 'chief' and was a term for a commander of a leidangr, a type of naval levy. | |||
| Irish | ceannasaí | ||
| Italian | comandante | ||
| The Italian word "comandante" is derived from the Latin word "commandāre" (to command, entrust) and can also refer to the captain of a ship or aircraft. | |||
| Luxembourgish | kommandant | ||
| In Luxembourgish, "Kommandant" refers to a police officer or other law enforcement agent rather than a military commander. | |||
| Maltese | kmandant | ||
| The word "kmandant" in Maltese is derived from the Italian word "comandante", which means "commander" or "leader". | |||
| Norwegian | kommandør | ||
| "Kommandør" also refers to a specific rank in the Norwegian navy, equivalent to a captain or commodore in other navies. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | comandante | ||
| "Comandante" in Portuguese means both "commander" and "captain of a ship". | |||
| Scots Gaelic | chomanndair | ||
| The Gaelic word for 'lieutenant' is derived from 'chomanndair', indicating a subordinate commander. | |||
| Spanish | comandante | ||
| In Cuba, 'comandante' is a military rank and term of respect for revolutionary leaders. | |||
| Swedish | befälhavare | ||
| Befälhavare is derived from the words 'befallning' ('order') and 'havare' ('holder'). | |||
| Welsh | cadlywydd | ||
| A commander (a chieftain, a captain) or in modern usage, a military rank which may vary greatly in the different regiments. | |||
Commander in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | камандзір | ||
| The word "камандзір" comes from the French "commandant", which in turn derives from the Latin "commandare" (to command). | |||
| Bosnian | komandante | ||
| The word "komandante" in Bosnian directly translates as "commander" and originates from Italian and Latin | |||
| Bulgarian | командир | ||
| The word "командир" is of French origin and originally referred to the commander of a military unit. | |||
| Czech | velitel | ||
| The word 'velitel' also has informal meanings such as 'dude' or 'mate'. | |||
| Estonian | komandör | ||
| Estonian "komandör" derives from French "commandeur" and Swedish "kommendör". | |||
| Finnish | komentaja | ||
| The word "komentaja" also shares roots with "komena" (decree) and "komennoissa" (in charge). | |||
| Hungarian | parancsnok | ||
| From Turkish 'başbuğ' (chieftain, leader). The second element 'nok' is from German 'knök' (knot) | |||
| Latvian | komandieris | ||
| In Livonian, this word meant "senior vassal". | |||
| Lithuanian | vadas | ||
| The word "vadas" is also used to refer to a "leader" or "chieftain". | |||
| Macedonian | командант | ||
| The word "командант" comes from the French word "commandant", which in turn comes from the Latin word "commandare", meaning "to entrust". | |||
| Polish | dowódca | ||
| Polish word "dowódca" originates from the verb "dowodzić" meaning "to prove" or "to demonstrate", indicating the commander's role in guiding and directing their troops. | |||
| Romanian | comandant | ||
| In Romanian, "comandant" can also refer to the head of a military school or the commander of a military academy. | |||
| Russian | командир | ||
| In Russian, "командир" can also refer to a leader of a military unit or a group of people. | |||
| Serbian | командант | ||
| The word "командант" also refers to a commanding officer in a military unit or organization in Serbian. | |||
| Slovak | veliteľ | ||
| The word "veliteľ" can also refer to a commander of a sports team or a conductor of a musical ensemble. | |||
| Slovenian | poveljnik | ||
| Poveljnik derives from the Proto-Slavic word *velьje, meaning "great" or "senior". | |||
| Ukrainian | командир | ||
| In Russian, "командир" can also refer to a leader of a group of civilians (e.g. a youth group leader). | |||
Commander in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | সেনাপতি | ||
| "সেনাপতি" (Sanskrit: senāpatI) is derived from the root "senā" (Sanskrit: senā) meaning "army". | |||
| Gujarati | કમાન્ડર | ||
| The word "командер" ("commander") in Russian has also an alternative meaning - a military rank (below the captain and above the lieutenant-commander). | |||
| Hindi | कमांडर | ||
| The word "commander" in Hindi is also used to refer to a police inspector. | |||
| Kannada | ಕಮಾಂಡರ್ | ||
| In Kannada, ಕಮಾಂಡರ್ (commander) derives from the Sanskrit word 'kamanda' meaning 'a handle of a bow'. The word holds the alternative meaning of 'chief'. | |||
| Malayalam | കമാൻഡർ | ||
| കമാൻഡർ (Commander) is also used to refer to the leader of a military or paramilitary unit in Malayalam, as well as the head of a ship's crew. | |||
| Marathi | सेनापती | ||
| The word "सेनापती" (senāpati) in Marathi comes from the Sanskrit word "सेनापति" (senāpati), which means "leader of an army" or "commander-in-chief." | |||
| Nepali | कमाण्डर | ||
| In some contexts, 'कमाण्डर' can also refer to 'conductor' (e.g. of an orchestra) or 'leader' of a team or group. | |||
| Punjabi | ਕਮਾਂਡਰ | ||
| The word "ਕਮਾਂਡਰ" is derived from the French word "commander", which in turn comes from the Latin word "commandare", meaning "to entrust". | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | කමාන්ඩර් | ||
| The word is also used to refer to military officers in general, especially in historical contexts | |||
| Tamil | தளபதி | ||
| The word "தளபதி" (commander) in Tamil is derived from the Sanskrit word "dala-pati," which can also mean "field marshal" or "leader of an army division." | |||
| Telugu | కమాండర్ | ||
| The term 'commander' originates from the Latin word 'commandare', which means 'to entrust' or 'to put in charge'. | |||
| Urdu | کمانڈر | ||
| In Urdu, "کمانڈر" also means "chief" or "leader" in a general sense, beyond military contexts. | |||
Commander in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 指挥官 | ||
| Its original meaning was an officer in control of military affairs, especially the deployment of troops in a battle. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 指揮官 | ||
| 指揮官 is composed of two Chinese characters: 指揮 (zhǐhuī), meaning 'to command', and 官 (guān), meaning 'official'. It can also refer to a conductor (of an orchestra or choir). | |||
| Japanese | 司令官 | ||
| The word "司令官" is also used in Japanese to refer to the commander of a military force, but it can also mean "commander-in-chief" or "supreme commander". | |||
| Korean | 사령관 | ||
| "사령관" can also be translated as "general" or "admiral" in English, depending on the context. | |||
| Mongolian | командлагч | ||
| It is also a term for a sports team's captain. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | တပ်မှူး | ||
| The word “တပ်မှူး” in Myanmar language is derived from the Sanskrit word “pati” which means “lord” and “senāpati” which means “army commander”. In ancient Myanmar, it was used to refer to a military leader or a governor. | |||
Commander in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | komandan | ||
| The word "komandan" is derived from the Dutch word "commandant", which in turn comes from the Latin word "commandare", meaning "to entrust". | |||
| Javanese | komandan | ||
| In Javanese, 'komandan' can refer to a military officer, a leader of a group, or a person in charge of a task. | |||
| Khmer | មេបញ្ជាការ | ||
| Lao | ຜູ້ບັນຊາການ | ||
| Malay | panglima | ||
| "Panglima" derives from the Sanskrit "pramukha" which means "foremost", "chief" or "commander" and was originally a Tamil title for a military leader or commander. | |||
| Thai | ผบ | ||
| In Thai, the word “ผบ” can also be understood as a shortened form of “ผู้รับผิดชอบ” (pronounced: puu-raap-pid-chop), translating to “responsible person. | |||
| Vietnamese | chỉ huy | ||
| The word "chỉ huy" can also refer to a conductor or a general in Vietnamese. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | kumander | ||
Commander in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | komandir | ||
| The word "komandir" is of French origin and also means "a person who holds a position of command in the army or other military organization" in Russian. | |||
| Kazakh | командир | ||
| The word "командир" can also mean "leader" or "chief" in Kazakh. | |||
| Kyrgyz | командир | ||
| The Kyrgyz word "командир" can also refer to a military rank or a captain of a ship. | |||
| Tajik | командир | ||
| The word "командир" is also used to refer to the leader of a group of people, such as a team or a family, in Tajikistan | |||
| Turkmen | serkerdesi | ||
| Uzbek | qo'mondon | ||
| Uyghur | قوماندان | ||
Commander in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | ʻalihikaua | ||
| ʻAlihikaua is also a term for a military or police officer who leads a group of men. | |||
| Maori | rangatira | ||
| The term "rangatira" also denoted a member of the warrior aristocracy that comprised the elite social class in Maori society. | |||
| Samoan | taʻitaʻiʻau | ||
| The word "taʻitaʻiʻau" is derived from the words "taʻi" (to lead) and "tau" (a path or course). | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | kumander | ||
| The term "kumander" in Tagalog can also be used to refer to a warlord or a guerrilla leader. | |||
Commander in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | comandante | ||
| Guarani | comandante | ||
Commander in International Languages
| Esperanto | majoro | ||
| The Esperanto word "majoro" comes from the Latin word "maior", meaning "greater/elder". | |||
| Latin | praeceptorem | ||
| The word "praeceptorem" can also refer to an overseer, instructor, or supervisor. | |||
Commander in Others Languages
| Greek | διοικητής | ||
| Διοικητής, meaning “administrator” in Greek, is etymologically linked to the verb “διοικώ” (“to administer”), which itself derives from δίκη (“justice”) and οίκος (“house”). | |||
| Hmong | tus thawj coj | ||
| Kurdish | fermandar | ||
| The word "fermandar" in Kurdish originates from the Persian word "farmandār" which means "one who holds a command or authority." | |||
| Turkish | komutan | ||
| The Turkish word "komutan" derives from the French "commandant" and also refers to a military rank equivalent to major. | |||
| Xhosa | umphathi | ||
| In its archaic form, 'umphathi' also refers to the chief's right-hand man or advisor. | |||
| Yiddish | קאָמאַנדיר | ||
| The word "קאָמאַנדיר" in Yiddish is derived from the French "commander" and the Latin "commandare", meaning "to intrust." | |||
| Zulu | umphathi | ||
| The word "umphathi" derives from the verb "ukuphatha" (to hold), signifying the commander's authority and responsibility. | |||
| Assamese | সেনাপতি | ||
| Aymara | comandante | ||
| Bhojpuri | कमांडर के नाम से जानल जाला | ||
| Dhivehi | ކޮމާންޑަރެވެ | ||
| Dogri | कमांडर जी | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | kumander | ||
| Guarani | comandante | ||
| Ilocano | komander | ||
| Krio | kɔmanda fɔ di kɔmanda | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | فەرماندە | ||
| Maithili | सेनापति | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯀꯃꯥꯟꯗꯔ ꯑꯣꯏꯅꯥ ꯊꯧ ꯄꯨꯈꯤ꯫ | ||
| Mizo | commander a ni | ||
| Oromo | ajajaa | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | କମାଣ୍ଡର | | ||
| Quechua | kamachiq | ||
| Sanskrit | सेनापतिः | ||
| Tatar | командир | ||
| Tigrinya | ኣዛዚ | ||
| Tsonga | murhangeri wa masocha | ||