Commitment in different languages

Commitment in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

Commitment is a powerful word that carries significant weight in any language. It represents a pledge or promise to undertake or fulfill a task, role, or obligation. This concept is universal and forms the foundation of relationships, agreements, and personal growth. Throughout history, commitment has been a cornerstone of cultural values, driving individuals and communities to strive for excellence and uphold their responsibilities.

Interestingly, the word 'commitment' has its roots in the Old French word 'commettre,' which means 'to entrust' or 'to give in charge.' This historical context highlights the trust-based nature of commitment, emphasizing the importance of reliability and accountability.

Understanding the translation of 'commitment' in different languages can provide valuable insights into cultural nuances and help bridge communication gaps. For instance, in Spanish, commitment translates to 'compromiso,' in German, it's 'Verpflichtung,' while in Japanese, it's 'コミットメント (komittomenuto).'

Explore the list below to discover how this powerful concept translates in various languages and cultures around the world.

Commitment


Commitment in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansverbintenis
The Afrikaans word "verbintenis" can also refer to an obligation or responsibility.
Amharicቁርጠኝነት
Hausasadaukarwa
The word "sadaukarwa" in Hausa can also refer to a brave person or a volunteer.
Igbonkwa
Nkwa shares the same root word as 'nkwadebe' ('preparation') as they both stem from the concept of being 'ready' to do something
Malagasyfanoloran-tena
The word "fanoloran-tena" is derived from two roots: "fanolo", meaning "vow" or "promise," and "tena", meaning "ten" or "complete."
Nyanja (Chichewa)kudzipereka
The word "kudzipereka" also means "to make oneself whole".
Shonakuzvipira
The word "kuzvipira" in Shona can also refer to the act of "making up one's mind" or "deciding to do something".
Somaliballanqaad
The word "ballanqaad" in Somali also refers to the act of promising, undertaking, or guaranteeing.
Sesothoboitlamo
The word "Boikamo" is also often used in a religious context, particularly among the Basotho of South Africa and Botswana, to describe the commitment of a believer.
Swahilikujitolea
The Swahili word "kujitolea" can also mean "devotion" or "sacrifice"
Xhosaukuzibophelela
The Xhosa word "ukuzibophelela" also means "to hold oneself accountable".
Yorubaifaramo
The Yoruba word "ifaramo" also means "to trust, to have faith in"
Zuluukuzibophezela
The Zulu term "ukuzibophezela" derives from the root word "bopa," which signifies "to bind" or "to make fast."
Bambaralayidu
Eweɖokuitsᴐtsᴐna
Kinyarwandakwiyemeza
Lingalakomipesa
Lugandaokweewaayo
Sepediboikgafo
Twi (Akan)ahofama

Commitment in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicالتزام
The word "التزام" is derived from the root verb "لزم", which means "to stick to", "to adhere", or "to be attached to something or someone".
Hebrewמְחוּיָבוּת
The Hebrew word "מְחוּיָבוּת" has the alternate meaning "obligation" or "duty".
Pashtoژمنتیا
The word "ژمنتیا" in Pashto is derived from the Arabic word "جمنية" meaning "obligation" or "duty."
Arabicالتزام
The word "التزام" is derived from the root verb "لزم", which means "to stick to", "to adhere", or "to be attached to something or someone".

Commitment in Western European Languages

Albanianangazhim
The Albanian word "angazhim" shares a root with the French "engager" and the Romanian "angajament".
Basquekonpromisoa
The Basque word "konpromisoa" ultimately derives from the Latin "compromissum", meaning "mutual promise".
Catalancompromís
The word "compromís" in Catalan originates from the Latin "compromissum", meaning "promise" or "obligation".
Croatianpredanost
The Croatian word "predanost" is derived from the Slavic word "predati" meaning "to give oneself up" and can also refer to devotion or loyalty.
Danishforpligtelse
Forpligtelse stems from the Old Norse word "forpligta," meaning "to bind firmly."
Dutchinzet
"Inzet" in Dutch can also refer to a bet or gamble.
Englishcommitment
The word 'commitment' derives from the Latin 'committere', meaning 'to entrust' or 'to bind together'.
Frenchengagement
"Engagement" can also mean a contract for future services, as in a business transaction or an engagement party where guests pledge support for the betrothed couple.
Frisianynset
The word "ынсет" in Frisian can also mean "promise", "vow", or "assurance".
Galiciancompromiso
In Galician, "compromiso" can also mean "obligation" or "promise". It derives from the Latin "compromissum" meaning "mutual agreement or promise."}
Germanengagement
In German, "Engagement" also means "betrothal" or "appointment".
Icelandicskuldbinding
The word "skuldbinding" derives from the Old Norse word "skuld," meaning "debt" or "obligation."
Irishtiomantas
The word "tiomantas" in Irish can also mean "vow" or "promise,
Italianimpegno
In Italian, "impegno" also means "pledge" or "promise" and derives from the Latin "impingo," meaning "to attack" or "to strike against."
Luxembourgishengagement
Luxembourgish word 'engagement' also means 'wedding ring' or 'fiancé(e)'
Malteseimpenn
The word "impenn" originated from the Italian word "impegno" which also means commitment, but was adopted by the Maltese vocabulary, where it now only implies this meaning as a noun, whereas in Italian its second meaning is as a verb, meaning "to keep an engagement".
Norwegianforpliktelse
In Norwegian, "forpliktelse" also means "obligation" or "responsibility".
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)comprometimento
In Portuguese, "comprometimento" also means "obligation" or "responsibility".
Scots Gaelicdealas
Despite looking like it should mean something to do with 'deals', 'dealas' in fact comes from the Gaelic word 'dal', meaning 'meeting' or 'assembly'.
Spanishcompromiso
El término “compromiso” deriva del latín “compromissum”, que significaba “promesa mutua” o “acuerdo entre partes”. Este término también se usaba para referirse a una obligación legal o un contrato.
Swedishengagemang
In Swedish, "engagemang" can also refer to an emotional investment or involvement in something.
Welshymrwymiad
The word 'ymrwymiad' in Welsh is derived from 'ymrwymo' (to bind oneself), from the Latin 'obligare' (to bind).

Commitment in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianпрыхільнасць
Bosnianpredanost
The word 'predanost' comes from the Proto-Slavic word 'predati', meaning 'to give'.
Bulgarianангажираност
Bulgarian "ангажираност" comes from the French "engagement," and also has the alternate meaning of "engagement ring."
Czechzávazek
The word "závazek" in Czech is derived from the verb "zavázat" (to bind), and also means "obligation" or "debt."
Estonianpühendumus
The Estonian word "pühendumus" is derived from the verb "pühendama," meaning "to devote" or "to consecrate."
Finnishsitoutumista
The term 'Sitoutumista' (commitment) originated in 1956 from the Swedish 'Sittning', a gathering to eat, drink and have fun with friends.
Hungarianelkötelezettség
The term also implies duty, obligation, or promise
Latvianapņemšanās
"Apņemšanās" is derived from the verb "apņemties" which literally means "to take (a responsibility) unto oneself".
Lithuanianįsipareigojimas
The word "įsipareigojimas" in Lithuanian originally meant "to take upon oneself the duty of something."
Macedonianпосветеност
In Macedonian, the word "посветеност" also means "dedication"
Polishzaangażowanie
Zaangażowanie derives from "za" (over) and "angaz" (hook), implying an individual's strong involvement in or attachment to a particular cause.
Romanianangajament
In Romanian, "angajament" can also refer to a contractual obligation, employment contract, or legal agreement.
Russianобязательство
The Russian word "обязательство" (commitment) derives from the verb "обязать" (to oblige), which in turn comes from the Old Church Slavonic "объвъзати" (to tie up), suggesting a sense of duty or binding.
Serbianприврженост
The word "приврженост" is derived from the Old Church Slavonic word "привѣръгъ", meaning "adherence" or "attachment".
Slovakviazanosť
In Slovak the word "viazanosť" has the additional alternate meaning of "a binding or bond", and is related to the word for a "tie".
Slovenianzavezanost
"Zavezanost" is also a nautical term meaning "mooring of a ship".
Ukrainianприхильність
The word "прихильність" comes from the Old Slavic root *prikh-, which also produced words meaning "adherence", "devotion", and "habit".

Commitment in South Asian Languages

Bengaliপ্রতিশ্রুতি
"প্রতিশ্রুতি" word comes from the "শ্রু" root word which means to hear, so it signifies to hear properly and then act on it.
Gujaratiપ્રતિબદ્ધતા
The word 'commitment' derives from the Latin word 'committere', which means 'to join together' or 'to entrust to'. It also refers to a bond or obligation that one has to a cause, person, or place.
Hindiप्रतिबद्धता
The word "प्रतिबद्धता" (commitment) is derived from the Sanskrit root " प्रति" (towards) and " बद्ध" (bound), implying a strong bond or obligation towards something or someone.
Kannadaಬದ್ಧತೆ
The word "ಬದ್ಧತೆ" in Kannada is derived from the Sanskrit word "बद्ध" (baddha), meaning "bound" or "tied".
Malayalamപ്രതിബദ്ധത
Marathiवचनबद्धता
वचनबद्धता (vachanbadhata) derives from the Sanskrit vachana- (speech, promise) and -badha- (binding, obligation), and carries the sense of being bound by a promise or agreement.
Nepaliप्रतिबद्धता
The word 'प्रतिबद्धता' originates from the Sanskrit word 'प्रतिबद्ध' meaning 'bound or attached' and can also be interpreted as 'fidelity or devotion'.
Punjabiਵਚਨਬੱਧਤਾ
Sinhala (Sinhalese)කැපවීම
In Sinhala, "කැපවීම" does not only mean "commitment", but also "cutting" or "separating".
Tamilஅர்ப்பணிப்பு
Teluguనిబద్ధత
The word "నిబద్ధత" is derived from the Sanskrit word "nibandha," which means "binding" or "obligation."
Urduعزم
'Azm' also means 'intention' and 'plan' in Arabic and Urdu.

Commitment in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)承诺
"承诺" is also used in Chinese to describe a betrothal or a marriage.
Chinese (Traditional)承諾
Derived originally from the verb 'to receive' (承) and the noun 'a promise' (諾), 承諾 literally means 'receiving a promise' and hence 'commitment'.
Japaneseコミットメント
The word コミットメント (komitomento) is a loanword from the English word "commitment," which retains the original meaning.
Korean헌신
The word 헌신 (“commitment”) is also used in Korean Buddhism, where it refers to the act of dedicating oneself to the teachings of the Buddha.
Mongolianамлалт
In Mongolian, 'амлалт' can also mean 'obligation', 'undertaking', or 'responsibility', highlighting the broader sense of duty implied by the term.
Myanmar (Burmese)ကတိကဝတ်
The word "ကတိကဝတ်" shares its root with the Pali word "kati" meaning "to promise" and was originally used to denote "a promise or vow" in Burmese.

Commitment in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiankomitmen
The Indonesian word "komitmen" is derived from the Javanese word "komitmen" which means "a promise".
Javanesekomitmen
Komitmen can also mean to hold something up or support something
Khmerការប្តេជ្ញាចិត្ត
Laoຄຳ ໝັ້ນ ສັນຍາ
Malaykomitmen
The word "komitmen" is derived from the English word "commitment" and also has the alternate meaning of "obligation".
Thaiความมุ่งมั่น
It can also mean determination, perseverance.
Vietnameselời cam kết
'Lời cam kết' is used in Vietnamese to refer to a promise or undertaking, but it can also have a religious connotation as 'vow' or 'covenant'.
Filipino (Tagalog)pangako

Commitment in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniöhdəlik
The word "öhdəlik" can also mean "responsibility" or "duty".
Kazakhміндеттеме
Міндеттеме, in Kazakh, also means "responsibility" or "obligation".
Kyrgyzмилдеттенме
"Милдетте“ part of the word comes from the Arabic word “mildettenme” meaning “obligation” or “duty”.
Tajikӯҳдадорӣ
The word ӯҳдадорӣ is also used in Persian to refer to a "promise".
Turkmenygrarlylygy
Uzbekmajburiyat
The Uzbek word "majburiyat" ultimately derives from the Persian "majbur" and Arabic "jabr", meaning "force" or "compulsion."
Uyghurۋەدىسى

Commitment in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianhoʻohiki
Ho‘ohiki means "oath" in Hawaiian and is also used to describe a promise or vow made to someone or something.
Maoringākau nui
Ngākau nui is also an alternative term for the "heart" in Māori culture, signifying its importance in emotional, spiritual, and decision-making processes.
Samoantautinoga
The word
Tagalog (Filipino)pangako
The Tagalog word 'pangako' comes from the root word 'ako,' meaning 'self,' and signifies a personal commitment or promise.

Commitment in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarakumprimisu
Guaraniñe'ẽme'ẽ

Commitment in International Languages

Esperantodevontigo
"Devontigo" in Esperanto is derived from the Latin word "devotio" (devotion), and also means "consecration" or "dedication."
Latincommitment
The Latin word "committere" means "to entrust, to join, to pledge" and is the root of the English word "commitment".

Commitment in Others Languages

Greekδέσμευση
The word "δέσμευση" derives from the verb "δέω" meaning "to bind", and originally referred to the act of tying or binding something.
Hmongkev cog lus
The Hmong word "kev cog lus" also means "the habit of drinking coffee or tea".
Kurdishberpisîyarî
The Kurdish word "berpisîyarî" shares the same root "berpîs" with "berdîs" (friend) and "berpîsan" (to be friends), emphasizing the social and relational aspect of commitment in Kurdish culture.
Turkishtaahhüt
In Turkish, the word "taahhüt" also means "contract" or "undertaking".
Xhosaukuzibophelela
The Xhosa word "ukuzibophelela" also means "to hold oneself accountable".
Yiddishהיסכייַוועס
The word "היסכייַוועס" ("commitment") is a loanword from the Hebrew verb הִשְׂתַּיֵּב ("to dedicate"), which in turn comes from the Aramaic word אסתב ("to bind").
Zuluukuzibophezela
The Zulu term "ukuzibophezela" derives from the root word "bopa," which signifies "to bind" or "to make fast."
Assameseঅংগীকাৰ
Aymarakumprimisu
Bhojpuriवादा
Dhivehiކޮމިޓްމަންޓް
Dogriकौल
Filipino (Tagalog)pangako
Guaraniñe'ẽme'ẽ
Ilocanopanagtalek
Krionɔ kɔmɔt biɛn
Kurdish (Sorani)پابەند بوون
Maithiliप्रतिबद्धता
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯈꯣꯡꯐꯝ ꯆꯦꯠꯄ
Mizoinpekna
Oromoof kennuu
Odia (Oriya)ପ୍ରତିବଦ୍ଧତା
Quechuasullullchay
Sanskritप्रतिबद्धता
Tatarтугрылык
Tigrinyaግዱስነት
Tsongatiyimisela

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