Cook in different languages

Cook in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

Cooking is a fundamental aspect of human culture, an essential life skill, and a source of endless creativity and enjoyment. The word 'cook' holds great significance as it represents the act of transforming raw ingredients into delicious and nourishing dishes. From ancient civilizations to the modern world, the culinary arts have brought people together, facilitated cultural exchange, and provided a window into the traditions and values of different societies.

Given the global importance of cooking, it's no surprise that the word 'cook' has been translated into various languages, each with its unique cultural nuances and connotations. For instance, in Spanish, 'cook' is 'cocinar,' while in French, it's 'cuisiner.' In Mandarin Chinese, the word for 'cook' is '烹饪' (píng rèn), and in Japanese, it's '厨房' (chūbō).

Understanding the translation of 'cook' in different languages can enrich your cultural knowledge and broaden your perspective on the world's diverse culinary traditions. So, whether you're a food enthusiast, a language learner, or a cultural explorer, join us as we embark on a delicious journey to discover the many faces of 'cook' around the globe.

Cook


Cook in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaanskok
In Afrikaans, "kok" can also refer to a type of plant found in the Karoo region of South Africa.
Amharicምግብ ማብሰል
Hausadafa
The Hausa word "dafa" also has the alternate meaning of "to prepare food for someone".
Igboesi nri
While the word "esi nri" literally means "cook", it also signifies the person who serves food.
Malagasymahandro
The Malagasy word 'mahandro' derives from the Proto-Western Malayo-Polynesian root *paŋað 'eat'.
Nyanja (Chichewa)kuphika
The word "kuphika" in Nyanja (Chichewa) is derived from the Proto-Bantu word "-pʰika" and also means "to bake".
Shonakubika
"Kubika" is derived from the Proto-Bantu verb "-pika" meaning "to roast" or "to cook over an open fire".
Somalikariyo
The verb "kariyo" in Somali is derived from the Proto-Somali root "*kar-", meaning "to burn" or "to roast".
Sesothopheha
The word 'pheha' also means 'to heat up' or 'to roast' in Sesotho.
Swahilikupika
The word "kupika" can also be used to mean "to ripen", "to be cooked", or "to be ripe".
Xhosaumpheki
The Xhosa word 'umpheki' also refers to a person who gathers and prepares medicinal herbs.
Yorubasise
In the Ijebu dialect of Yoruba, "sise" also means "to farm."
Zulupheka
The Zulu word "pheka" also means "to cause to happen" or "to make something come into existence."
Bambaraka tobili kɛ
Eweɖa ŋu
Kinyarwandaguteka
Lingalakolamba
Lugandaokufumba
Sepediapea
Twi (Akan)noa

Cook in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicيطبخ
"يطبخ" is thought to be related to the word "طبخ " but it can also mean to do or perform something, such as an experiment.
Hebrewלְבַשֵׁל
לבשל derives from the Aramaic verb ܒܸܫܹܠ (besel) denoting a process rather than cooking in particular like בישול
Pashtoپخلی
The word "پخلی" in Pashto, meaning "cook," is derived from the verb "پخلول," which means "to cook" or "to make mature".
Arabicيطبخ
"يطبخ" is thought to be related to the word "طبخ " but it can also mean to do or perform something, such as an experiment.

Cook in Western European Languages

Albaniangatuaj
"Gatuaj" can also mean "cooking pan" or "stove" in Albanian.
Basquesukaldari
The Basque word "sukaldari" is derived from the verb "sukaldu" ("to cook"), adding the suffix "-ari" (meaning "the one who") to indicate the performer of the action.
Catalancuinar
"Cuinar" is derived from the Latin word "coquere," which also means "to cook" or "to burn."
Croatiankuhati
The word "kuhati" also means "to brew" in Croatian.
Danishlaver mad
Laver mad literally translates to "make worms" because before the 19th century, worms were added to most dishes to enhance the taste.
Dutchkoken
The Dutch word for "cook" (koken) is related to the English word "kitchen".
Englishcook
The word 'cook' can also mean a person who prepares food or a dish prepared by a cook.
Frenchcuisinier
The term 'cuisinier' in French also refers to a specialized cook who prepares fine dishes, akin to a 'chef de cuisine' or 'master chef'.
Frisiankok
The Frisian word "kok" not only means "cook" but also "male duck".
Galiciancociñar
The word "cociñar" in Galician also means "to prepare food".
Germankoch
The word "Koch" in German can also refer to a male cook or a species of cabbage.
Icelandicelda
The word "elda" can also refer to "hearth" in Old Norse.
Irishcócaráil
The word "cócaráil" can also refer to the act of preparing food or to a person who cooks.
Italiancucinare
In Venetian, "cucinare" also means "to prepare food with water"
Luxembourgishkachen
The verb "kachen" is derived from the Middle High German word "kochen", meaning "to cook", and is related to the Old English word "cocian", meaning "to cook".
Maltesekok
The word "kok" also has the alternate meaning of "fool" in Maltese.
Norwegiankokk
The word "kokk" in Norwegian can also refer to a male chef, while a female chef is typically referred to as a "kokkinne".
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)cozinhar
The verb "cozinhar" comes from the Latin word "coquere" and also means "to ripen" or "to digest" in Portuguese.
Scots Gaelicbruich
The word 'bruich' shares its origin with the Old Irish word 'bruig', meaning 'a dwelling place or house'
Spanishcocinar
"Cocinar" in Spanish derives from the Latin "coquinare", meaning "to cook" or "to do things in the kitchen".
Swedishkock
The word "kock" originally referred to a kitchen assistant or errand boy, and has been used in the sense of "cook" since the 18th century.
Welshcoginio
The word "coginio" has been used to refer to a "male cook" as opposed to the more common "cogydd" which is gender-neutral.

Cook in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianварыць
"Варыць" has alternate meanings in Belarusian, such as "to brew".
Bosniankuhati
The word "kuhati" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "*kuchati", meaning "to blow" or "to puff up".
Bulgarianготвач
The word "готвач" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "*goťva" meaning "food preparation".
Czechkuchař
The word "kuchař" is derived from the Old Czech word "kuchati," which means "to prepare food."
Estoniankokk
The word "kokk" is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "kokaz", meaning "a cauldron".
Finnishkokki
The word 'kokki' likely comes from Swedish 'kock' or Estonian 'kokk', or from Proto-Germanic word '*kokaz' meaning 'cook' or 'oven'.
Hungarianszakács
The word "szakács" originates from the Turkish word "aşçı" and also means "chef".
Latvianpavārs
The word "pavārs" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*peḱ-," meaning "to cook" or "to ripen".
Lithuanianvirėjas
"Virėjas" is derived from the Lithuanian word "virti", meaning "to boil".
Macedonianготви
The word "готви" can also mean "to prepare" or "to make ready" in Macedonian.
Polishgotować
The Polish word for "to boil" is "gotować", and this same word may also refer to cooking in general
Romanianbucătar
The Romanian word "bucătar" is derived from the Slavic word "bukatari", which means "to bake".
Russianготовить
"Готовить" in Russian also means "to prepare" and "to make ready".
Serbianкуварица
The word 'куварица' is derived from the Old Serbian word 'кувор', meaning 'to boil'
Slovakuvariť
The word "uvariť" also means "to brew" or "to boil".
Sloveniankuhati
The word "kuhati" in Slovenian also means "to forge" or "to weld"
Ukrainianкухар
The word "кухар" in Ukrainian also means "chef" and originates from the ancient root "kukh", meaning "to cook".

Cook in South Asian Languages

Bengaliরান্না করুন
The word "রান্না করুন" is derived from the Sanskrit root "pāk," which means "to heat" or "to ripen."
Gujaratiરસોઇ
The word "રસોઇ" in Gujarati also means "cooking", "cuisine", "culinary art", and "kitchen".
Hindiरसोइया
'रसोइया' derives from 'रस' meaning 'juice', implying a culinary expert in extracting flavors.
Kannadaಅಡುಗೆ
The Kannada word "ಅಡುಗೆ" (cook) is derived from the Proto-Dravidian root *aṭu-, meaning "to grind" or "to pound".
Malayalamവേവിക്കുക
The word 'വേവിക്കുക' in Malayalam is also used to refer to the act of softening or mellowing something, such as feelings or attitudes.
Marathiकूक
The Marathi word 'कूक' ('cook') shares the same Indo-Aryan root as 'कुक्कुट' ('rooster') and 'कुक्कुटाव' ('crow'), suggesting an etymological connection to the sounds made by birds.
Nepaliपकाउनु
In Nepali, the word "पकाउनु" also means "to digest" or "to ripen".
Punjabiਪਕਾਉ
It derives from the Sanskrit word पक्व (pakva) meaning "to ripen" and shares a root with "pucca", meaning "mature" or "ready."
Sinhala (Sinhalese)උයන්න
"උයන්න" (cook) is derived from the Proto-Indo-Iranian root *pāk- "to cook, bake, roast".
Tamilசமைக்கவும்
The word "சமைக்கவும்" can also mean to prepare or make something, such as a plan or a speech.
Teluguఉడికించాలి
Urduکھانا پکانا
کھانا پکانا is derived from the Sanskrit word 'pak(v)', which means 'to prepare food'. It can also mean 'to mature or ripen'.

Cook in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)厨师
"厨师 is also called 大厨 (dàchú)."
Chinese (Traditional)廚師
廚師 originates from the Chu state during the Spring and Autumn period of China, and now refers to a person who cooks for a living.
Japaneseクック
The word "クック" can also be used to describe the process of cooking or preparing food.
Korean
Originally meant "to boil," the word "쿡" also refers to the act of steaming or stewing on top of a pot.
Mongolianхоол хийх
"Хоол хийх" also means "to manage", and this sense is derived from the fact that those who cook tend to be the ones who manage the household in Mongolian culture.
Myanmar (Burmese)ချက်ပြုတ်

Cook in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianmemasak
The Indonesian word "memasak" is derived from the Proto-Austronesian word "*maSaq", which means "to roast".
Javanesemasak
"Masak" in Javanese shares cognates with "mash" in English, likely due to the Proto-Austronesian word "*ma-saq" which means "to rub" or "to mix."
Khmerចំអិន
"ចំអិន" (cook) is derived from the Sanskrit word "cam" (to eat), which is also the origin of the English word "consume"
Laoແຕ່ງກິນ
Malaytukang masak
"Tukang masak" also means "masseur" in Indonesian due to the shared word root "urut" meaning "to massage or rub".
Thaiปรุงอาหาร
In some contexts, `ปรุงอาหาร` can also carry the meaning of `season` or `make more palatable, savory, sweet, etc.`
Vietnamesenấu ăn
"Nấu ăn" comes from the Vietnamese words "nấu" (to boil) and "ăn" (to eat).
Filipino (Tagalog)magluto

Cook in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniaşpaz
The word “aşpaz” may also refer to "chef", "cook-room" or "kitchen assistant".
Kazakhаспаз
The Kazakh word "аспаз" is derived from the Persian word "āshpaz" and can also mean "chef" or "kitchen employee".
Kyrgyzашпозчу
The word "ашпозчу" in Kyrgyz is borrowed from the Persian word "آشپز" (āšpaz), which itself is derived from the Proto-Indo-Iranian word *h₂eḱs-potis (**h₂eḱs** - "to cook" + **-potis** - "lord, master"), meaning "lord of cooking."
Tajikпухтан
The word "пухтан" can also refer to a cooking pot or a kitchen in Tajik.
Turkmenbişiriň
Uzbekpishirish
The word "pishirish" in Uzbek is derived from the Persian word "pazīdan" meaning "to keep", "to care for", and "to cook".
Uyghurپىشۇر

Cook in Pacific Languages

Hawaiiankuke
In Hawaiian, the word "kuke" can also refer to medicine or to an oven, as the preparation and application of medicine and the process of cooking shared many similarities.
Maoritunu
The word "tunu" in Maori can also mean "to burn" or "to light".
Samoankuka
In Samoan, “kuka” also refers to a traditional style of cooking in an earth oven.
Tagalog (Filipino)magluto
The Tagalog word 'magluto' can also refer to the act of preparing food, as well as the process of cooking food.

Cook in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaraphayaña
Guaranitembi'u'apo

Cook in International Languages

Esperantokuiri
Kŭiri (to cook) comes from the French word "cuire".
Latincoquus
In Roman culture, "coquus" referred to a lower-class slave responsible for kitchen duties, distinct from the higher-status "cisiarius" who served prepared dishes.

Cook in Others Languages

Greekμάγειρας
"Μάγειρας", ultimately meaning "cook", also meant "magician" in ancient Greek, owing to the complex and mysterious process of early Greek cuisine
Hmongua noj
The Hmong word "ua noj" is related to the word for "smoke" and originally meant to "smoke meat over a fire"
Kurdishaşbaz
The word "aşbaz" in Kurdish may also refer to a "chief cook" or a "physician".
Turkishpişirmek
The word 'pişirmek' in Turkish, meaning 'to cook', can also refer to the process of 'baking', 'frying', or 'grilling'.
Xhosaumpheki
The Xhosa word 'umpheki' also refers to a person who gathers and prepares medicinal herbs.
Yiddishקאָכן
The Yiddish word "קאָכן" also means "to boil" or "to simmer" and originates from the German word "kochen."
Zulupheka
The Zulu word "pheka" also means "to cause to happen" or "to make something come into existence."
Assameseৰন্ধা
Aymaraphayaña
Bhojpuriखाना बनावल
Dhivehiކެއްކުން
Dogriरसोइया
Filipino (Tagalog)magluto
Guaranitembi'u'apo
Ilocanoagluto
Kriokuk
Kurdish (Sorani)چێشت لێنان
Maithiliखाना बनाउ
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯊꯣꯡꯕ
Mizochhum
Oromobilcheessuu
Odia (Oriya)ରାନ୍ଧ |
Quechuayanuy
Sanskritपचति
Tatarпешерегез
Tigrinyaሰራሒ ፀብሒ
Tsongasweka

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