Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'confident' holds a significant place in our vocabulary, denoting a feeling of self-assurance and belief in one's abilities. It's a cultural ideal, celebrated in many societies as a desirable trait for success in personal and professional life. But have you ever wondered how 'confident' translates in different languages?
Understanding the nuances of this word in various cultures can provide fascinating insights. For instance, in Spanish, 'confident' translates to 'confiado' for a male speaker and 'confiada' for a female speaker, reflecting the language's gendered pronoun system. Meanwhile, in Japanese, the word 'jouhou' is used to signify a sense of confidence based on having knowledge or skills.
Moreover, the concept of confidence has been historically associated with various philosophies and belief systems worldwide. Exploring these translations can open up a world of cultural understanding and appreciation.
So, join us as we delve into the translations of 'confident' in different languages, from French to Mandarin and beyond. This journey is not just about language; it's about understanding the world and its diverse cultural perspectives.
Afrikaans | vol vertroue | ||
The word "vol vertroue" in Afrikaans can also mean "trustworthy" or "reliable". | |||
Amharic | በልበ ሙሉነት | ||
Hausa | m | ||
The word "m" in Hausa can also mean "to be sure" or "to be certain". | |||
Igbo | nwere obi ike | ||
"Nwere obi ike" is derived from the Igbo phrase meaning "to have a strong heart". | |||
Malagasy | antoka | ||
Malagasy "antoka" is a doublet of the Sanskrit "antoka" and the Persian "antokā" meaning "a little box to hold incense." | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | wotsimikiza | ||
The Nyanja word "wotsimikiza" can also mean "a person who knows everything". | |||
Shona | chivimbo | ||
The Shona term "chivimbo" is derived from the verb "vimba," meaning "to be strong and assertive." | |||
Somali | kalsooni leh | ||
Kalsooni leh could also mean 'with a heart made of stone' | |||
Sesotho | boitshepo | ||
Sesotho's "boitshepo" also connotes composure and assurance but has no equivalent word in English and carries more nuance than its synonyms. | |||
Swahili | kujiamini | ||
The word "kujiamini" can also mean "trust" or "faith". | |||
Xhosa | ndithembe | ||
In Xhosa, 'ndithembe' also carries the connotations of 'reliability' and 'trustworthiness'. | |||
Yoruba | igboya | ||
The term 'Igboya' can also refer to an individual who is very sure of themselves. | |||
Zulu | ngokuzethemba | ||
The word 'ngokuzethemba' is derived from the Zulu word 'ethemba', meaning 'hope' or 'faith', and the prefix 'ngoku-', which indicates a state or condition. | |||
Bambara | dannayabaa | ||
Ewe | ka ɖe edzi | ||
Kinyarwanda | bizeye | ||
Lingala | kotya motema | ||
Luganda | okwekkiririzaamu | ||
Sepedi | boitshepho | ||
Twi (Akan) | akokoɔduro | ||
Arabic | موثوق | ||
موثوق can mean "confidant" or a "person one trusts" in Arabic. | |||
Hebrew | בטוח | ||
In Arabic, the word "בטוח" means "hero" | |||
Pashto | باور | ||
The word "باور" in Pashto derives from the Middle Persian word "bāvar", meaning "belief". | |||
Arabic | موثوق | ||
موثوق can mean "confidant" or a "person one trusts" in Arabic. |
Albanian | të sigurt | ||
The word "të sigurt" in Albanian can also mean "safe" or "secure". | |||
Basque | ziur | ||
The word "ziur" also means "sure" in Basque. | |||
Catalan | confiat | ||
The word "confiat" in Catalan has a dual etymology, coming from both Latin "confidare" and "confectus", giving it both the meanings of "confident" and "done" in modern usage. | |||
Croatian | uvjeren | ||
The word "uvjeren" also means "determined" or "convinced". | |||
Danish | sikker | ||
The word "sikker" is derived from the Old Norse word "sikr", meaning "safe" or "secure", and is related to the English word "secure". | |||
Dutch | zelfverzekerd | ||
The Dutch word "zelfverzekerd" can be separated as "zelf" meaning "self" and "verzekerd" meaning "assured". | |||
English | confident | ||
In 17th-century English, ‘confident’ meant ‘person in whom one confides’; a sense retained in words like ‘confidant’. | |||
French | sur de soi | ||
The term "sur de soi" in French is derived from the Latin "super", meaning "upon" or "above", suggesting a sense of elevated self-assurance. | |||
Frisian | wis | ||
The word "wis" in Frisian, meaning "confident" or "certain", derives from the Proto-Germanic root "*wisaz", sharing a common origin with the English word "wise". | |||
Galician | confiado | ||
In Galician, "confiado" originally meant "entrusted" or "committed to". | |||
German | zuversichtlich | ||
The word "zuversichtlich" originates from the Middle High German "zuoversiht," which means "trust in God. | |||
Icelandic | sjálfsöruggur | ||
The word "sjálfsöruggur" originated in the Old Norse "sjalfr", meaning "self". | |||
Irish | muiníneach | ||
The Irish word "muiníneach" originally meant "of or associated with the neck," from "muin," meaning "neck." | |||
Italian | fiducioso | ||
The Italian word “fiducioso” derives from the Latin “fidere”, which means “to trust”. | |||
Luxembourgish | zouversiichtlech | ||
Maltese | kunfidenti | ||
The word 'kunfidenti' in Maltese comes from the Italian and Spanish 'confidente' which means 'trusted friend'. | |||
Norwegian | selvsikker | ||
Norwegian Selvsikker originates from Danish, where sikker originally meant 'free from harm or danger'. | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | confiante | ||
"Confiante" can also be used to describe a situation that inspires trust or a person who is trustworthy. | |||
Scots Gaelic | misneachail | ||
Misneachail in Scots Gaelic also means 'enthusiastic' or 'spirited' in Irish. | |||
Spanish | confidente | ||
In Spanish, "confidente" can also refer to a confidant, someone trusted with secrets. | |||
Swedish | självsäker | ||
It's composed of the Swedish word for 'self' ('själv') and the word for 'sure' ('säker'), and it literally translates to 'self-secure'. | |||
Welsh | hyderus | ||
The name "Hyderus" may also mean "water" in Welsh. |
Belarusian | упэўнены | ||
The word "упэўнены" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *vьpьnъ, which also meant "faithful" or "reliable." | |||
Bosnian | samopouzdan | ||
The word "samopouzdan" in Bosnian derives from the Slavic root "sam" (self) and "pouzdati se" (to trust oneself). | |||
Bulgarian | уверен | ||
The word "уверен" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *vьrъ, meaning "belief" or "trust". | |||
Czech | sebejistý | ||
The Czech word "sebejistý" is related to "sebevědomí" and "jistota," meaning="self-confidence" and "certainty". | |||
Estonian | enesekindel | ||
The Estonian word "enesekindel" is derived from the words "ene" (self) and "kindel" (certain). | |||
Finnish | luottavainen | ||
The word "luottavainen" also means "trusting" and comes from the word "luottamus" (trust), which in turn comes from the Old Norse word "traust" (trust). | |||
Hungarian | magabiztos | ||
"Magabiztos' is a compound word in Hungarian, the result of the suffix 'biztos-', meaning 'certain, sure' and 'maga-', or 'itself'. Therefore, 'magabiztos' can indicate one's self-confidence and firmness in their actions." | |||
Latvian | pārliecināts | ||
The word "pārliecināts" can also mean "persuaded" or "convinced." | |||
Lithuanian | įsitikinęs | ||
"Įsitikinęs" (confident) is derived from the verb "įsitikinti" (to verify), which in turn comes from the noun "įsitikinimas" (belief). | |||
Macedonian | самоуверен | ||
The word "самоуверен" also has a negative connotation, implying arrogance and overconfidence. | |||
Polish | pewni | ||
«Pewny» means «reliable» and derives from «pew» (meaning «faith, reliability») as opposed to «podejrzany» (meaning «suspicious, unreliable»), a derivative of «podejrzenie» (meaning «suspicion») | |||
Romanian | încrezător | ||
The word "încrezător" in Romanian comes from the Latin "confidere", meaning "to trust". | |||
Russian | уверенная в себе | ||
The word "уверенная в себе" literally means "sure of oneself" in Russian. | |||
Serbian | самоуверен | ||
The word "самоуверен" (confident) in Serbian also means "self-assured" or "presumptuous." | |||
Slovak | sebavedomý | ||
"Sebavedomý" is derived from "seba" (self) and "vedomý" (conscious), meaning "aware of oneself". | |||
Slovenian | samozavestna | ||
The word "samozavestna" in Slovenian derives from the Proto-Slavic root "vъsěti" meaning "to trust" or "to believe. | |||
Ukrainian | впевнений | ||
The Ukrainian word "впевнений" (confident) is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "вѣрити" (to believe), and can also mean "to be sure" or "to be certain". |
Bengali | আত্মবিশ্বাসী | ||
আত্মবিশ্বাসী (Ātmabiśbāsī) also means 'egoistic' or 'conceited' | |||
Gujarati | આત્મવિશ્વાસ | ||
The term 'આત્મવિશ્વાસ' originates from the Sanskrit compound 'ātma' (self) and 'viśvāsa' (trust), signifying a belief in one's own abilities and judgment. | |||
Hindi | विश्वास है | ||
The term विश्वास (confident) derives from the verb 'विश्वासना' meaning to trust or have faith in something. | |||
Kannada | ಆತ್ಮವಿಶ್ವಾಸ | ||
The word "ಆತ್ಮವಿಶ್ವಾಸ" is derived from the Sanskrit words "आत्मा" (self) and "विश्वास" (belief), and can also mean "self-belief" or "self-confidence". | |||
Malayalam | ആത്മവിശ്വാസത്തോടെ | ||
Marathi | आत्मविश्वास | ||
The word 'आत्मविश्वास' (confident) in Marathi is derived from 'आत्मा' (self) and 'विश्वास' (belief), emphasizing the belief one has in themselves. | |||
Nepali | आत्मविश्वास | ||
The term "आत्मविश्वास" shares etymological roots with "self-confidence" and "confidence" in English, indicating reliance on one's abilities and perceptions. | |||
Punjabi | ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ | ||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | විශ්වාසයි | ||
The word "විශ්වාසයි" in Sinhala is derived from the Sanskrit word "विश्वास" which means "faith, trust, or confidence". | |||
Tamil | நம்பிக்கையுடன் | ||
Telugu | నమ్మకంగా | ||
As a noun, నమ్మకంగా means faith or belief, and it can also mean conscience or conviction. | |||
Urdu | پر اعتماد | ||
The Urdu word "پر اعتماد" can also mean "relying" or "trusting". |
Chinese (Simplified) | 信心 | ||
"信心" derives from the Buddhist concept of "mind of faith" and later acquired its more common meaning of "confidence". | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 信心 | ||
The word "信心" (xìnxìn) in Chinese can also mean "belief" or "trust". | |||
Japanese | 自信がある | ||
The Japanese word "自信がある" (confident) literally means "to have self-trust". | |||
Korean | 자신감 | ||
자신감 (confident) is a Korean word composed of the root 자신 (self) and the suffix 감 (feeling), and also means "feeling of self-respect". | |||
Mongolian | өөртөө итгэлтэй | ||
Myanmar (Burmese) | ယုံကြည်မှု | ||
Indonesian | percaya diri | ||
The Indonesian word "percaya diri" literally means "believe in oneself" (percaya="believe," diri="self"), reflecting the importance of self-belief in confidence. | |||
Javanese | manteb ing ati | ||
In Old Javanese, "manteb" referred to a person of strong and unwavering character. | |||
Khmer | មានទំនុកចិត្ត | ||
The word មានទំនុកចិត្ត (confident) is derived from the Sanskrit word "mantrana" meaning "to counsel" or "to advise". It can also refer to a person who is "trusted" or "reliable". | |||
Lao | ໝັ້ນ ໃຈ | ||
Malay | yakin | ||
The word "yakin" can also mean "certain" or "sure" in Malay, and is derived from the Arabic word "yaqin" with the same meaning. | |||
Thai | มั่นใจ | ||
มั่นใจ derives from Sanskrit ‘man’, meaning ‘to think’, ‘to believe in, ‘to assume’ and ‘to understand’. | |||
Vietnamese | tự tin | ||
"Tự tin" in Vietnamese is derived from two Chinese characters: "tự" (self) and "tin" (believe). Besides its primary meaning of "confident," it can also refer to "self-esteem" or "self-reliance." | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | tiwala | ||
Azerbaijani | inamlı | ||
The word "inamlı" in Azerbaijani also means "trusting" and "faithful" | |||
Kazakh | сенімді | ||
The word "сенімді" also means "trustworthy" or "reliable" in Kazakh. | |||
Kyrgyz | ишенимдүү | ||
The word "ишенимдүү" (confident) in Kyrgyz originates from the word "ишеним" (trust), which reflects the idea that confidence is built on trust. | |||
Tajik | дилпурона | ||
The word "дилпурона" also means "one who is reliable and trustworthy" in Tajik. | |||
Turkmen | ynamly | ||
Uzbek | o'ziga ishongan | ||
The phrase "o'ziga ishongan" is derived from "o'z" (self) and "ishongan" (to trust), thus meaning "to trust in oneself." | |||
Uyghur | ئۆزىگە ئىشىنىدۇ | ||
Hawaiian | hilinaʻi | ||
The Hawaiian word "hilinaʻi" also means "to rest, lean, or depend upon". | |||
Maori | māia | ||
The word "māia" in Māori can also refer to a trusted friend or companion. | |||
Samoan | mautinoa | ||
Mautinoa is derived from the root word 'mautino,' which also means 'to be presumptuous.' | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | tiwala | ||
Tiwala may also mean belief, reliance, or trust. |
Aymara | sijuru | ||
Guarani | jeroviapy | ||
Esperanto | memfida | ||
"Memfida" is the Esperanto equivalent of the French "me fier," meaning to trust, and the Latin "me fide," meaning to have faith in me. | |||
Latin | audentes | ||
The Latin word "audentes" also means "daring" or "bold". |
Greek | βέβαιος | ||
The Greek word "βέβαιος" (confident) derives from the Proto-Indo-European "bebhōs" (firm) and is cognate with the Latin "firmus" (firm), the Spanish "firme" (firm), and the English "firm" (firm). | |||
Hmong | ntseeg siab | ||
'Ntseeg siab' is sometimes also used to convey the meaning of 'bold' or 'courageous,' similar to the English word 'brave'. | |||
Kurdish | bigûman | ||
The word "biguman" in Kurdish is derived from the Persian word "bigam" meaning "without doubt". | |||
Turkish | kendinden emin | ||
Kendinden emin is a compound word meaning 'having confidence in oneself' and can also be used to describe someone who is arrogant or presumptuous. | |||
Xhosa | ndithembe | ||
In Xhosa, 'ndithembe' also carries the connotations of 'reliability' and 'trustworthiness'. | |||
Yiddish | זיכער | ||
The word 'זיכער' is derived from the German word 'sicher', meaning 'secure'. | |||
Zulu | ngokuzethemba | ||
The word 'ngokuzethemba' is derived from the Zulu word 'ethemba', meaning 'hope' or 'faith', and the prefix 'ngoku-', which indicates a state or condition. | |||
Assamese | আত্মবিশ্বাসী | ||
Aymara | sijuru | ||
Bhojpuri | बिस्वास | ||
Dhivehi | ކޮންފިޑެންޓް | ||
Dogri | बिश्वास पात्तर | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | tiwala | ||
Guarani | jeroviapy | ||
Ilocano | napigsa pakinakem | ||
Krio | kɔnfidɛns | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | خاوەن متمانە | ||
Maithili | आत्मविश्वास सं भरल | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯊꯥꯖꯕ ꯂꯩꯕ | ||
Mizo | inringtawk | ||
Oromo | ofitti amanaa | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ଆତ୍ମବିଶ୍ୱାସୀ | | ||
Quechua | harkasqa | ||
Sanskrit | कृतनिश्चयः | ||
Tatar | ышанычлы | ||
Tigrinya | ብዓርሱ ዝተኣማመን | ||
Tsonga | titshembha | ||