Updated on March 6, 2024
Disputes, both big and small, are a part of life and have been around since the beginning of time. From historical conflicts to everyday arguments, the significance of the word 'dispute' cannot be overstated. Its cultural importance is evident in the many ways it has been translated and integrated into different languages around the world.
For example, in Spanish, a dispute is known as 'una disputa', while in French, it is 'un différend'. In German, the word for dispute is 'eine Streitigkeit', and in Japanese, it is 'keri' or 'kattou'. These translations not only give us a glimpse into the linguistic diversity of different cultures but also provide insight into how disputes are perceived and handled in various parts of the world.
Understanding the translation of dispute in different languages can be useful in many situations, from international business negotiations to travel abroad. By familiarizing ourselves with these translations, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and complexity of human language and culture.
Afrikaans | geskil | ||
The Afrikaans word "geskil" is cognate with the Dutch "geschil" and ultimately derives from the Old French "eskil," meaning "quarrel" or "conflict." | |||
Amharic | ክርክር | ||
"ክርክር" (kərkər) in Amharic, besides meaning "dispute," also refers to the grinding of grains. | |||
Hausa | jayayya | ||
The word 'jayayya' can also mean 'quarrel', 'argument', 'disagreement', or 'controversy' depending on the context. | |||
Igbo | esemokwu | ||
"Esemọkwu" in Igbo, meaning "dispute", originally referred to the custom of two parties presenting their cases before a mediator with the aim of achieving reconciliation. | |||
Malagasy | fifandirana | ||
The word "fifandirana" can also mean "argument" or "debate". | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | mkangano | ||
The word "mkangano" can also refer to a "debate", "argument" or "quarrel" in Nyanja (Chichewa). | |||
Shona | gakava | ||
The word "gakava" in Shona can also refer to a dispute or quarrel, and is derived from the verb "kukava" which means to argue or quarrel. | |||
Somali | muran | ||
The Somali word "muran" also refers to a type of traditional Somali dance. | |||
Sesotho | qabang | ||
The word "qabang" in Sesotho can also mean "to discuss", "to ask for permission", or "to inquire". | |||
Swahili | mzozo | ||
The word "mzozo" in Swahili originally meant "a quarrel between two parties", but it has since come to mean any kind of dispute or disagreement. | |||
Xhosa | impikiswano | ||
The word "impikiswano" in Xhosa also refers to a "quarrel" or "difference of opinion". | |||
Yoruba | àríyànjiyàn | ||
Àríyànjiyàn means 'dispute' but can also mean 'trouble' or 'agitation'. | |||
Zulu | impikiswano | ||
The word 'impikiswano' is derived from the verb 'impikisana' meaning 'to dispute'. In addition, 'impikiswano' can also refer to the process of resolving a dispute. | |||
Bambara | dalamankan | ||
Ewe | nyahehe | ||
Kinyarwanda | amakimbirane | ||
Lingala | koswana | ||
Luganda | empaka | ||
Sepedi | kgakgano | ||
Twi (Akan) | masno | ||
Arabic | خلاف | ||
خلاف means “differences” in Arabic, and can also refer to a legal dispute or disagreement. | |||
Hebrew | מַחֲלוֹקֶת | ||
The word "machloket" is related to the Aramaic word "mechalkot", meaning "split" or "division." | |||
Pashto | شخړه | ||
The Pashto word "شخړه" can also refer to a group of people gathered to discuss or settle a matter. | |||
Arabic | خلاف | ||
خلاف means “differences” in Arabic, and can also refer to a legal dispute or disagreement. |
Albanian | mosmarrëveshje | ||
The word "mosmarrëveshje" also means "disagreement" in Albanian. | |||
Basque | auzia | ||
The word 'auzia' in Basque can also mean 'lawsuit' or 'case'. | |||
Catalan | disputa | ||
Catalan 'disputa' derives from Latin 'disputare' ('to reason') & is cognate with French 'disputer' ('to quarrel or contest'). | |||
Croatian | spor | ||
Spor (dispute) comes from Proto-Slavic *sporъ meaning "quarrel", hence it is cognate with Russian cпор "quarrel" and Old Church Slavonic спрѣти "quarrel". | |||
Danish | bestride | ||
The word "bestride" can also mean "to sit astride" (a horse) | |||
Dutch | onenigheid | ||
In Dutch, "onenigheid" also refers to a disagreement within a family, especially between parents and children. | |||
English | dispute | ||
"Dispute" has Latin roots and can also mean "to reason" or "to argue". | |||
French | contestation | ||
Contest (from Latin contestari meaning "to call upon or to invoke as a witness") in French, while derived from the same roots, carries the additional meaning of dispute (disagreement) or lawsuit. | |||
Frisian | skeel | ||
Frisian word skeel, meaning "dispute", is borrowed from Middle Low German scheel meaning "oblique". | |||
Galician | disputa | ||
In Galician, "disputa" is derived from the Latin "disputatio" and also means "argument" or "discussion". | |||
German | streit | ||
Streit is related to 'strive,' and also connotes 'war' or 'battle,' but most often means a dispute. | |||
Icelandic | deila | ||
The word "deila" can also mean "to share", reflecting the dual nature of disputes as both divisive and potentially unifying. | |||
Irish | díospóid | ||
The word "díospóid" in Irish not only means "dispute", but also "an obstacle" or "a hindrance". | |||
Italian | controversia | ||
In Italian, "controversia" has a broader meaning than "dispute" in English, encompassing any type of disagreement or debate. | |||
Luxembourgish | sträit | ||
Maltese | tilwima | ||
"Tilwima" is likely related to "tillwejm," which means "quarrel" in Maltese.} | |||
Norwegian | tvist | ||
The word "tvist" is derived from the Old Norse word "tvistr", meaning "dispute, quarrel, or lawsuit." | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | disputa | ||
In Portuguese, "disputa" can also mean "race" or "competition" | |||
Scots Gaelic | connspaid | ||
The term "connspaid" can also refer to a "bargain" or an "agreement" in Scots Gaelic. | |||
Spanish | disputa | ||
Disputa also means "discussion" and "argument". | |||
Swedish | tvist | ||
The word "tvist" is derived from the Old Norse word "þvist", which means "argument" or "quarrel". | |||
Welsh | anghydfod | ||
The word "anghydfod" also means "difference" in Welsh. |
Belarusian | спрэчка | ||
The word "спрэчка" originates from the Proto-Slavic word "sporъ", which means both "dispute" and "discussion" | |||
Bosnian | spor | ||
The word 'spor' also means 'test' in Bosnian. | |||
Bulgarian | спор | ||
The word "спор" in Bulgarian also means "bet" or "argument". | |||
Czech | spor | ||
Czech "spor" originates from the Proto-Slavic root "spora", meaning "argument, dispute" or "quarrel". | |||
Estonian | vaidlus | ||
"Vaidlus" also means "debate" in Estonian but that meaning has since become obsolete in English. | |||
Finnish | kiista | ||
Kiista comes from an old Indo-European root meaning 'to incite', and can also refer to a legal case or argument. | |||
Hungarian | vita | ||
The Hungarian word "vita" can also mean "life" in Latin and "argument" in English. | |||
Latvian | strīds | ||
The word "strīds" in Latvian is related to the Old Prussian word "straydis," which means "quarrel" or "lawsuit." | |||
Lithuanian | ginčas | ||
The Lithuanian word "ginčas" originally meant "to argue," but now also refers to a "dispute." | |||
Macedonian | спор | ||
The word "спор" also means "bet" or "wager" in Macedonian. | |||
Polish | spierać się | ||
The verb "spierać się" also means "to wash out", which is derived from the Proto-Slavic root *pirti "to wash". | |||
Romanian | disputa | ||
In Romanian, "dispută" also means "discussion", "argumentation", or "debate". | |||
Russian | спор | ||
The word “спор” can also mean a bet or a wager. | |||
Serbian | спор | ||
The word "спор" (dispute) in Serbian also means "argument", "debate", and "quarrel". | |||
Slovak | spor | ||
In old documents 'spor' meant also a 'bet' or a 'legal dispute'. The modern meaning is the one we use today, but the connection between the word and 'gambling' ('sporiť') is still alive today. | |||
Slovenian | spor | ||
In some local dialects, the word "spor" can also refer to a "conversation". | |||
Ukrainian | суперечка | ||
The Ukrainian word |
Bengali | বিতর্ক | ||
The word "বিতর্ক" is derived from the Sanskrit word "vitarka", meaning "discussion, thought, or reasoning". | |||
Gujarati | વિવાદ | ||
The Gujarati word "વિવાદ" can trace its etymology back to the Sanskrit word "विवाद", meaning "contradiction". | |||
Hindi | विवाद | ||
"विवाद" also means "a problem or issue that is difficult to solve." | |||
Kannada | ವಿವಾದ | ||
The word "ವಿವಾದ" in Kannada is also used to denote a 'debate' or 'controversy' | |||
Malayalam | തർക്കം | ||
The word "thar-kam" is derived from the Sanskrit word "tarka," which means "reasoning" or "argumentation." | |||
Marathi | वाद | ||
The term "वाद" is also used in the context of debates, discussions, and philosophies in Marathi. | |||
Nepali | विवाद | ||
विवाद also means 'discussion' or 'argument' and is derived from the Sanskrit word 'vada', meaning 'to speak'. | |||
Punjabi | ਵਿਵਾਦ | ||
The Punjabi word 'ਵਿਵਾਦ' also has alternate meanings, including 'debate', 'argument', 'discourse', and 'controversy'. | |||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | ආරවුල | ||
The word "ආරවුල" can also refer to a "quarrel" or a "disturbance". | |||
Tamil | தகராறு | ||
Telugu | వివాదం | ||
The word "వివాదం" can also refer to a debate or controversy. | |||
Urdu | تنازعہ | ||
Chinese (Simplified) | 争议 | ||
The Chinese character "争" in "争议" originally meant "to compete" and also "to fight," while "议" meant "to discuss" and "to deliberate." | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 爭議 | ||
The word '爭議' is also used to describe a competition or a debate. | |||
Japanese | 紛争 | ||
"紛争" (dispute) is related to the words "粉" (powder) and "争う" (to argue), as disputes can often be seen as the result of opposing factions grinding against each other. | |||
Korean | 분쟁 | ||
분쟁(분,쟁)은 분리하여 싸우다, 쟁탈하다라는 뜻이며, tranh(爭)은 다투다, 경쟁하다라는 뜻입니다. | |||
Mongolian | маргаан | ||
The word "маргаан" can also refer to a "horse race" or a "debate". | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | အငြင်းပွားမှု | ||
Indonesian | perselisihan | ||
The word "perselisihan" is derived from the Sanskrit word "vivada", which means "contradiction". In Indonesian, it can also refer to an argument or a quarrel. | |||
Javanese | pasulayan | ||
The word 'pasulayan' in Javanese suggests a broader sense of conflict or opposition, extending beyond merely verbal arguments and encompassing physical altercations. | |||
Khmer | ជម្លោះ | ||
The Khmer word "ជម្លោះ" has also been used to refer to a "dispute" or "quarrel" in a legal context. | |||
Lao | ການຂັດແຍ້ງ | ||
Malay | pertikaian | ||
The word "pertikaian" in Malay also means "quarrel" or "argument" | |||
Thai | ข้อพิพาท | ||
The Thai word "ข้อพิพาท" can also refer to a "lawsuit" or "court case". | |||
Vietnamese | tranh giành | ||
The word "tranh giành" can also mean "to compete for something" or "to struggle for something". | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | alitan | ||
Azerbaijani | münaqişə | ||
The word "münaqişə" also means "discussion" in Azerbaijani. | |||
Kazakh | дау | ||
"Дау" in Kazakh is a cognate of the Persian word "dāw", meaning "lawsuit". | |||
Kyrgyz | талаш | ||
The word "талаш" also means "competition" or "fighting" in Kyrgyz. | |||
Tajik | баҳс | ||
The word "баҳс" ultimately derives from the Arabic word "bahth", meaning "search" or "investigation". | |||
Turkmen | dawa | ||
Uzbek | nizo | ||
The word “nizo” originated from Persian "nāz" and means “quarrel, dispute”. | |||
Uyghur | تالاش-تارتىش | ||
Hawaiian | paio | ||
The word "paio" can also refer to a disagreement or misunderstanding. | |||
Maori | tautohetohe | ||
Tautohetohe is derived from the words 'tauto' (to argue) and 'heto' (to oppose), and also means 'to quarrel' or 'to wrangle'. | |||
Samoan | finauga | ||
Finauga is a Samoan word that also means 'to challenge' or 'to compete' | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | pagtatalo | ||
Aymara | qhuruchasiña | ||
Guarani | ñorãirõ | ||
Esperanto | disputo | ||
It comes from Old French disputer meaning to argue | |||
Latin | disputatione | ||
The Latin word "disputatione" also means "discussion" or "debate". |
Greek | διαμάχη | ||
The word "διαμάχη" can refer to an argument, debate, or struggle. | |||
Hmong | hais tsis sib haum | ||
Kurdish | înkarkirin | ||
The Sorani-Kurdish word "înkarkirin" ("dispute") shares an etymology and semantic relationship with the Ottoman Turkish word " inkâr etmek," which means "to deny," "to refuse," or "to reject." | |||
Turkish | tartışma | ||
"Tartışma" also means "argumentation" in Turkish or a "concluding part of an academic work". | |||
Xhosa | impikiswano | ||
The word "impikiswano" in Xhosa also refers to a "quarrel" or "difference of opinion". | |||
Yiddish | פּאָלעמיק | ||
Zulu | impikiswano | ||
The word 'impikiswano' is derived from the verb 'impikisana' meaning 'to dispute'. In addition, 'impikiswano' can also refer to the process of resolving a dispute. | |||
Assamese | বিতৰক | ||
Aymara | qhuruchasiña | ||
Bhojpuri | विवाद | ||
Dhivehi | ހަމަނުޖެހުން | ||
Dogri | फसाद | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | alitan | ||
Guarani | ñorãirõ | ||
Ilocano | ergo | ||
Krio | cham-mɔt | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | ناکۆکی | ||
Maithili | झंझट | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯇꯦꯠꯅꯕ ꯂꯩꯕ | ||
Mizo | inremlohna | ||
Oromo | walitti bu'iinsa | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ବିବାଦ | ||
Quechua | awqanakuy | ||
Sanskrit | विवाद | ||
Tatar | бәхәс | ||
Tigrinya | ዘይምስምዕማዕ | ||
Tsonga | nkwetlembetano | ||