Copy in different languages

Copy in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'copy' holds a significant place in our daily lives, often used to refer to written or printed matter, as well as the process of reproducing or duplicating text or content. Its cultural importance is evident in the publishing, advertising, and design industries, where 'copy' refers to the written text that accompanies visuals or products. But have you ever wondered what 'copy' is called in other languages?

Understanding the translation of 'copy' in different languages can provide valuable insights into how various cultures approach and value written communication. For instance, in Spanish, 'copy' is translated as 'copia,' while in German, it's 'Kopie.' In French, 'copy' is 'copie' as well, reflecting the language's influence on English. And in Japanese, 'copy' is 'コピー' (ko-pi-i), which is written in katakana, a script used for foreign words.

By learning these translations, you can not only expand your cultural knowledge but also enhance your communication skills when working with international colleagues or clients. So, let's explore the many translations of 'copy' and see how this simple word connects us all.

Copy

Copy in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaanskopie
The word "kopie" in Afrikaans is derived from the Dutch word "copie" meaning "copy", and can also refer to a ranch or farm.
Amharicቅጅ
The word 'ቅጅ' has an alternate meaning of 'tracing paper'.
Hausakwafa
The word "kwafa" also means "to steal" in Hausa.
Igbooyiri
In the Igbo language, "oyiri" can mean either "copy" or "trace".
Malagasydika mitovy
The word "dika mitovy" in Malagasy can also mean "make a copy", "reproduce", or "imitate".
Nyanja (Chichewa)kutengera
The word "kutengera" in Nyanja can also mean "to buy" or "to borrow", suggesting the idea of acquiring something that already exists.
Shonakopi
Shona "kopi" can also refer to the act of copying.
Somalinuqul
In Arabic, the word "nuqul" also means "moving" or "transferring".
Sesothokopitsa
The word "kopitsa" is sometimes used to refer to a pile of hay.}
Swahilinakala
The word "nakala" in Swahili can also mean "a written statement" or "a record of events."
Xhosaikopi
The word "ikopi" in Xhosa also means "to trace" or "to follow".
Yorubaẹda
In addition to "copy," ẹda or ìdá can also mean "likeness," "image," or "representation."
Zuluikhophi
Its variant form 'ikofi' can mean either 'a copy' or 'to pretend to eat'.
Bambarakopi kɛ
Ewekɔpi
Kinyarwandakopi
Lingalakopi ya kopi
Lugandaokukoppa
Sepedikhopi
Twi (Akan)copy

Copy in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicنسخ
The word "نسخ" also means "to cancel" or "to repeal" in Arabic.
Hebrewעותק
עותק in Hebrew derives from the root עתק, meaning "to transplant" or "to duplicate", and can also refer to a "specimen" or "exemplar."
Pashtoکاپي
The Pashto word "کاپي" can also refer to a type of traditional Afghan headwear made of sheepskin.
Arabicنسخ
The word "نسخ" also means "to cancel" or "to repeal" in Arabic.

Copy in Western European Languages

Albaniankopjoj
The Albanian word "kopjoj" is derived from the Latin "copia," meaning "abundance" or "plenty."
Basquekopiatu
The Basque word "kopiatu" is derived from the Latin "copiare," meaning "to make a copy" or "to imitate."
Catalancòpia
Catalan "còpia" also means "abundance" or "plenty".
Croatiankopirati
The Croatian word "kopirati" is derived from the Latin word "copia", meaning "abundance" or "plenty."
Danishkopi
The Danish word "kopi" can also refer to a book printed from movable type that is a facsimile or imitation of an early manuscript that is handwritten.
Dutchkopiëren
The word "kopiëren" in Dutch derives from the Latin "copia," meaning "abundance," and has evolved to also mean "to reproduce" something.
Englishcopy
The word 'copy' originates from the Latin 'copia' meaning 'abundance' or 'plenty'.
Frenchcopie
The French word "copie" can also refer to a student's written work, a musical score, or a painting.
Frisiankopy
The word "kopy" in Frisian, meaning "a copy", is derived from the Latin word "copia", meaning "abundance" or "wealth".
Galiciancopiar
The Galician word "copiar" evolved from Latin "copiare", meaning "to provide" or "to furnish".
Germankopieren
Etymologically derived from 'koppen', meaning 'to strike' or 'to cut off', 'Kopieren' also refers to 'to imitate' or 'to fake'.
Icelandicafrita
The word "afrita" in Icelandic stems from the Latin word "scribere" and originally referred to the art of writing.
Irishcóip
Cóip, a loanword from English, has an alternate meaning in Irish, 'a tuft or lock of wool or hair'
Italiancopia
"Copia" derives from the Latin word "copia," meaning "abundance" or "plenty," and has also been used to refer to an amount of food served at a meal in the past.
Luxembourgishkopéieren
Maltesekopja
The word "kopja" is derived from the Latin word "copia", meaning "abundance" or "plenty".
Norwegiankopiere
The word "kopiere" in Norwegian can also mean "to make a model" or "to reproduce something."
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)cópia de
In Brazilian Portuguese, "cópia de" can also mean "transcript of" or "extract from" when referring to official documents.
Scots Gaelicleth-bhreac
The word "leth-bhreac" in Scots Gaelic can also mean "left-handed" or "unlucky."
Spanishcopiar
The Spanish word "copiar" originates from the Latin "copia," which means "abundance" or "plenty."
Swedishkopiera
The word "kopiera" is derived from the Latin word "copia", meaning "abundance" or "wealth".
Welshcopi
The Welsh word "copi" can also refer to a "group" or a "copyhold tenure".

Copy in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianкопія
The word "копія" in Belarusian can also be a synonym for "duplicate" and "reproduction".
Bosniankopiraj
The word "kopiraj" is also derived from the French word "copier", meaning "to imitate" or "to transcribe"
Bulgarianкопие
The word "копие" also means "spear" in Bulgarian.
Czechkopírovat
Czech "kopírovat" comes from "ko" („with”) and píra ("quill") meaning "to write using quill".
Estoniankoopia
The word "koopia" comes from the Greek word "kopos", meaning "to cut" or "to strike", and refers to the creation of a duplicate by incision or stamping.
Finnishkopio
"Kopio" also means "feces" in the dialect of southwestern Finland.
Hungarianmásolat
In Hungarian, "másolat" (which means "copy") also conveys the notion of "second", and can be used to refer to a subordinate or assistant.
Latviankopija
"Kopija" can be used as a synonym for "duplicate", "counterfeit", "simulation", or "fabrication" in Latvian.
Lithuaniankopija
In Lithuanian, the word "kopija" can also mean "carbon copy", "duplicate", or "imitation".
Macedonianкопија
The word "копија" originates from the Latin word "copia", meaning "abundance" or "plenty".
Polishkopiuj
The word "kopiuj" in Polish originated from the German word "kopieren", meaning "to copy".
Romaniancopie
"Copie" in Romanian can also refer to a handwritten document or a script.
Russianкопировать
The Russian word "копировать" (copy) is derived from the Latin word "copia" (abundance).
Serbianкопија
The word "копија" also has an alternate meaning of "bastard".
Slovakkópia
The Slovak word "kópia" also has the alternate meaning of "cheat sheet".
Sloveniankopirati
The word 'kopirati' is derived from the French word 'copier', which means 'to make a copy'.
Ukrainianкопію
The word "копію" in Ukrainian can also refer to a document that has been certified as an authentic copy of the original.

Copy in South Asian Languages

Bengaliঅনুলিপি
"অনুলিপি" also means "manuscript" in Bengali.
Gujaratiનકલ
A 'nakal' is not just a physical or digital imitation, it's also an embodiment, an alternative expression or an impersonation.
Hindiप्रतिलिपि
The word 'प्रतिलिपि' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'प्रति' (meaning 'towards') and 'लिपि' (meaning 'mark'), suggesting 'a mark made towards something'.
Kannadaನಕಲಿಸಿ
ನಕಲಿಸಿ derives from the root ನಕಲ್, meaning 'to copy, imitate, or reproduce,' and can also refer to a duplicate or forgery.
Malayalamപകർത്തുക
"പകർത്തുക" means to "spread" or "transmit", for example a disease or rumour.
Marathiप्रत
The word "प्रत" can also mean "duplicate" or "instance" in Marathi.
Nepaliकापी
The word "कापी" in Nepali can also refer to a notebook or exercise book, and is derived from the Sanskrit word "कापिक", meaning "cloth to write on".
Punjabiਕਾੱਪੀ
The word 'ਕਾੱਪੀ' is also used in Punjabi to refer to a small earthenware cup for holding liquids.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)පිටපත
From Sanskrit पटपत्रिकापत्र (paṭapatrakāpatra, "a copy of a document").
Tamilநகல்
நகல் (nakal) also means 'replica' or 'imitation' in Tamil.
Teluguకాపీ
The Telugu word "కాపీ" (kāpī) is borrowed from the English word "copy" and can also mean "tea".
Urduکاپی
The word "کاپی" in Urdu can also refer to a small notebook or a type of Indian bread.

Copy in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)复制
复制 (fù zhì) can also mean 'reproduction' or 'replication' in a biological or technical context.
Chinese (Traditional)複製
The Chinese character 複製 can also mean 'to multiply', 'to duplicate', or 'to reproduce'.
Japaneseコピー
The word "コピー" (kopi) originated from the Dutch word "kopie" which means "duplicate" or "imitation", and was originally used in Japanese to refer to handwritten or mechanical copies of documents.
Korean부
"부(copy)" originally meant "to write after seeing." This meaning is still used in some compounds, such as 부자(copyist) or 부서(department).
Mongolianхуулбарлах
The verb хуулбарлах can also mean 'to imitate' or 'to mimic'.
Myanmar (Burmese)ကူးယူပါ

Copy in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiansalinan
The word "salinan" in Indonesian can also mean "carbon copy" or "photocopy".
Javanesenyalin
The Javanese word
Khmerចម្លង
The word "ចម្លង" is derived from the Sanskrit word "chamlong", meaning "to draw" or "to trace over".
Laoສຳ ເນົາ
This word is borrowed from Thai and derives from the Sanskrit word "samjna," which means "name" or "mark."
Malaysalinan
Salinan can also refer to a loan agreement, a document, or a manuscript.
Thaiสำเนา
The word "สำเนา" can also mean "photocopy" or "duplicate."
Vietnamesesao chép
The Vietnamese word "sao chép" originally meant "imitation" or "copying a mold", reflecting the traditional techniques of making copies from existing sources.
Filipino (Tagalog)kopya

Copy in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanisurəti
The Azerbaijani word "surəti" originates from the Arabic "ṣūrah", meaning "form" or "image", and can also refer to a "portrait", "picture".
Kazakhкөшірме
The word "көшірме" can also mean "reproduction" or "imitation" in Kazakh.
Kyrgyzкөчүрүү
"Көчүрүү" can also refer to an "expedience", or a way for a nomadic society to overcome a hardship by using a temporary, portable, or indirect approach.
Tajikнусха
The word "nuskha" is derived from the Arabic word "naskh," meaning "to copy or transcribe."
Turkmengöçürmek
Uzbeknusxa ko'chirish
The Uzbek word "nusxa ko'chirish" originally meant "to rewrite a book" but now also means "to copy".
Uyghurكۆپەيتىلگەن

Copy in Pacific Languages

Hawaiiankope
In Hawaiian, "kope" also means "to cut" or "to break something off".
Maoritārua
The word tārua has several additional meanings, including 'example', 'pattern', and 'type'.
Samoankopi
The word 'kopi' in Samoan also means 'to imitate' or 'to mimic'.
Tagalog (Filipino)kopya
The Tagalog word "kopya" can also refer to plagiarism or an imitation.

Copy in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaracopia
Guaranicopia

Copy in International Languages

Esperantokopii
"Kopii" is a rare word from the roots "ko" and "pii," the latter of which is a rarer root that also appears in the words "kopii", "kupi", and "kupli".
Latinexemplum
Late Latin exemplum "copy" is a derivative of Latin exemplare "model, specimen" (ultimately from eximere "to take out").

Copy in Others Languages

Greekαντίγραφο
The word „αντίγραφο“ derives from the Ancient Greek noun „άντίγραφο“ meaning „writer” or „scribe”, but was used to describe both the writer and the writings themselves.
Hmongdaim ntawv theej
Daim ntawv theej, a compound of three words that means 'to make write again', has an implied subject that is the person copying.
Kurdishkopî
In Farsi, the word "kopî" (کپی) means both "copy" and "monkey."
Turkishkopya
The Turkish word "kopya" can also mean "duplicate" or "imitation", and is derived from the Greek word "kopos" meaning "toil" or "labor".
Xhosaikopi
The word "ikopi" in Xhosa also means "to trace" or "to follow".
Yiddishקאָפּיע
The Yiddish word "קאָפּיע" (kopye) also means "document" as opposed to "original" and is used in the expression "קאָפּיע פֿון אַ פֿאַקט" (kopye fun a fakt) "a certified copy (of a document)"
Zuluikhophi
Its variant form 'ikofi' can mean either 'a copy' or 'to pretend to eat'.
Assameseকপি কৰক
Aymaracopia
Bhojpuriकॉपी कइल जा सकेला
Dhivehiކޮޕީ
Dogriनकल की
Filipino (Tagalog)kopya
Guaranicopia
Ilocanokopiaen
Kriokɔpi
Kurdish (Sorani)کۆپی بکە
Maithiliप्रतिलिपि
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯀꯣꯄꯤ ꯇꯧꯕꯥ꯫
Mizocopy rawh
Oromowaraabuu
Odia (Oriya)କପି କରନ୍ତୁ |
Quechuacopia
Sanskritप्रतिलिपि
Tatarкүчереп алу
Tigrinyaቅዳሕ
Tsongakopi ya kona

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