Dress in different languages

Dress in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

A dress is more than just a piece of clothing. It's a symbol of cultural identity, personal expression, and special occasions. From the elegant white gowns of Western weddings to the vibrant kimonos of Japan, dresses have played a significant role in societies around the world.

The word 'dress' itself has an interesting history. Did you know that it comes from the Old English 'drasian,' meaning 'to make clothes'? Over time, the term evolved to specifically refer to a woman's garment that hangs from the shoulders and covers the body.

Understanding the translation of 'dress' in different languages can open up new doors to cultural exploration. For example, in Spanish, 'dress' is 'vestido.' In French, it's 'robe.' In German, it's 'Kleid.' And in Russian, it's 'платье' (plat'ye).

Exploring these translations not only enriches our vocabulary but also deepens our appreciation for the diversity and beauty of global cultures. So why not take the first step on this fascinating journey? Discover the many ways to say 'dress' in different languages below.

Dress


Dress in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansaantrek
The verb 'aantrek' ('to dress') in Afrikaans also means 'to assume' or 'to take on'.
Amharicአለባበስ
The word 'አለባበስ' also refers to a type of loose-fitting cotton garment worn by both men and women in the Ethiopian church, similar to a cassock.
Hausariguna
The Hausa word riguna, meaning "dress," is derived from the Yoruba word "agbada," meaning "flowing gown."
Igbouwe
The Igbo word "uwe" originally referred to a type of woven cotton cloth but now encompasses all types of clothing.
Malagasyakanjo
The word "akanjo" comes from the root word "kanja", meaning "to wear" or "to clothe".
Nyanja (Chichewa)kavalidwe
The word "kavalidwe" in Nyanja also refers to a type of traditional Chichewa dance performed by women while wearing elaborately decorated attire.
Shonachipfeko
The word "chipfeko" is also used to refer to the traditional dress worn by women in some Shona communities.
Somalilabis
Somali "labis" can also refer to a style of clothing worn by women in the Horn of Africa region.
Sesothomoaparo
The word "moaparo" is possibly related to the verb "ho apara", meaning "to cover oneself"
Swahilinguo
In Swahili, "nguo" also denotes a piece of animal skin worn over the shoulders or as a covering during sleep.
Xhosaisinxibo
The word "isinxibo" in Xhosa can also refer to a shirt or blouse.
Yorubaimura
The Yoruba word "imura" can also refer to a cloth generally, as well as being the collective name for an "ensemble" of the different pieces of attire typically worn by women, usually including a blouse, wrapper, scarf, and gele head-wrap.
Zuluingubo
The Zulu word "ingubo" is also used to refer to a type of traditional garment worn by young women during initiation ceremonies.
Bambarafini
Eweawu
Kinyarwandaimyambarire
Lingalaelamba
Lugandaekiteteeyi
Sepediseaparo
Twi (Akan)afadeɛ

Dress in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicفستان
The Arabic word "فستان" is derived from the Italian word "vestina" and the Latin word "vestis", both meaning "a garment."
Hebrewשמלה
The Hebrew word "שמלה" (dress) is related to the Arabic word "ثوب" (clothes) and the Akkadian word "simlah" (garment).
Pashtoکالي
The word "کالي" in Pashto also refers to a type of traditional female clothing worn in the Pashtun culture.
Arabicفستان
The Arabic word "فستان" is derived from the Italian word "vestina" and the Latin word "vestis", both meaning "a garment."

Dress in Western European Languages

Albanianveshje
"Veshje" can also mean "clothes" or "attire" in Albanian.
Basquejantzi
The word "jantzi" in Basque also refers to the clothing or attire of a specific group, such as a uniform or traditional costume
Catalanvestit
The word "vestit" in Catalan also refers to a garment worn by men, such as a vest or a waistcoat.
Croatianhaljina
"Haljina" is a South Slavic word ultimately derived from PIE *(h₂)el- (
Danishkjole
The word "kjole" is derived from the Old Norse word "kjóll", which originally meant "skirt" or "tunic".
Dutchjurk
The word "jurk" is derived from the Middle Dutch word "roc" which meant "skirt".
Englishdress
"Dress" can also refer to a style of presentation or the way something is prepared.
Frenchrobe
"Robe" can also refer to any piece of clothing that is worn over other garments, like a coat or gown.
Frisianjurk
The word "jurk" derives from the Old Frisian word "iorke" or "jurke",
Galicianvestido
In Galician, "vestido" can also mean "outfit" or "clothes".
Germankleid
The word "Kleid" is also used to refer to clothing worn by a clergyman, a garment worn by a mourner, a theatrical costume, a protective garment, or a cover for a wound.
Icelandicklæða sig
The verb 'klæða sig' originally meant 'to cloth oneself' and can still be used in this sense.
Irishgúna
The Old Irish word 'gúna' also referred to a large cloth covering a bride and groom in the marriage bed.
Italianvestito
"Vestito" derives from the Latin word "vestire" meaning "to clothe" and can also refer to a suit, costume, or clothing in general.
Luxembourgishkleed
The Luxembourgish word "Kleed" is derived from the German word "Kleid" and can also refer to a woman's skirt or petticoat.
Malteselibsa
The word "libsa" in Maltese is a derivative of the Arabic term "libs", which also translates as dress or attire.
Norwegiankjole
The word "kjole" is derived from Old Norse "kjǫttr" meaning "woman's skirt" and later evolved to mean "gown" in Norwegian.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)vestir
"Vestir" has its etymological roots in the latin "vestire", which means "to cover".
Scots Gaelicèideadh
Èideadh has the same root as "eagal" (fear, anxiety), implying that the concept of "dress" was linked to modesty and covering up in Gaelic culture.
Spanishvestir
The verb 'vestir' comes from the Latin word 'vestire', which also means 'to cover' or 'to put on clothes'.
Swedishklänning
The Swedish word "klänning" is thought to originate from the Middle Low German word "kleninge", meaning "small garment".
Welshgwisg
The Welsh word 'gwisg' is cognate with the Breton 'gwisk' and the Irish 'guais', which originally meant 'guise'.

Dress in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianсукенка
The word can also be used to refer to a 'gown' or a 'skirt'.
Bosnianhaljina
The word "haljina" is derived from the Turkish word "hil'at", meaning "robe of honour" or "court dress".
Bulgarianрокля
The word "рокля" also means "a long, loose gown" and is related to the word "рок" (sleeve).
Czechšaty
The word "šaty" can also refer to a "gown" or "attire" in Czech.
Estoniankleit
The word "kleit" also means "gown" or "robe" in Estonian.
Finnishpukeutua
Pukeutua is also used to refer to the action of "putting on" a garment.
Hungarianruha
The word "ruha" in Hungarian is likely derived from the Proto-Slavic word "rukati," meaning "to hand-make" or "to sew."
Latviankleita
The term "kleita" in Latvian originated from the German word "Kleid" and its meaning has evolved from "dress" to also encompass "gown" and "robe"
Lithuaniansuknelė
The word “suknelė” literally means “a piece of cloth to spin” in Lithuanian.
Macedonianфустан
The word "фустан" in Macedonian is derived from the Turkish word "fistan" and can also refer to a type of long, loose-fitting robe worn by men.
Polishsukienka
The word 'sukienka' is derived from the Old Polish word 'suknia', meaning 'a piece of cloth'.
Romanianrochie
The Romanian word "rochie" originates from the Slavic word "rukavija", meaning "garment with sleeves".
Russianплатье
In Russian, the word "платье" (dress) is derived from the verb "плыть" (to float), alluding to the flowing and graceful nature of gowns.
Serbianхаљина
The word 'хаљина' is derived from the Arabic word 'хил‘а', meaning 'robe' or 'tunic'.
Slovakšaty
Slovak "šaty" derives from "ošata" (basket), as dresses were originally made of woven material, like baskets.
Slovenianobleko
The word 'obleko' can also refer to 'clothing' worn outside of the home
Ukrainianсукня
The Ukrainian word "сукня" can also mean "cloth", "fabric", or "material", reflecting its origin in the Proto-Slavic root "*sukno" with the same meaning.

Dress in South Asian Languages

Bengaliপোশাক
The word "পোশাক" also means "clothes" or "garment" in Bengali.
Gujaratiડ્રેસ
"Dress" in English can mean a garment worn by women and girls or a style of grooming, while in Gujarati, it mainly means a style of grooming (personal appearance).
Hindiपरिधान
The word 'परिधान' can also mean 'clothes' or 'attire' in Hindi.
Kannadaಉಡುಗೆ
In Kannada, "ಉಡುಗೆ" also refers to attire worn by male deities and ceremonial costumes.
Malayalamവസ്ത്രം
Marathiपोशाख
The word "पोशाख" in Marathi can also refer to a costume, attire, or uniform.
Nepaliलुगा
The word "luga" in Nepali is derived from the Sanskrit word "lug" meaning "cloth" or "garment".
Punjabiਪਹਿਰਾਵਾ
"ਪਹਿਰਾਵਾ" (pehraavā) is also used in Punjabi to refer to the outer garment worn by Sikhs that is often mistaken for a turban, the "pag."
Sinhala (Sinhalese)ඇඳුම
The Sinhala word "ඇඳුම" can also refer to a shirt or blouse, or to the act of wearing clothes.
Tamilஉடை
The word "உடை" ("dress") in Tamil shares a root with "வட" (north) and "மடை" (embankment).
Teluguదుస్తులు
దుస్తులు derives from the Proto-Dravidian word *tuni-, meaning 'garment' or 'cloth'.
Urduلباس
The word "لباس" in Urdu also means "garment" or "attire" and is derived from the Arabic word "libas" meaning "to put on".

Dress in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)连衣裙
连衣裙 originally referred to connecting or joining multiple pieces of clothing using a waist cord (裙).
Chinese (Traditional)連衣裙
連衣裙 is also a word that refers to a one-piece garment worn by women.
Japaneseドレス
"ドレス" is also used specifically for a woman's formal gown.
Korean드레스
The Korean word "드레스" can also refer to a "suit" or "tailored clothing".
Mongolianхувцас
"Хувцас" is also used colloquially to refer to everyday clothing or a person's wardrobe.
Myanmar (Burmese)စားဆင်ယင်
စားဆင်ယင် shares the same etymology with “dinner” or “dining”, as it originally implied an activity or the occasion for wearing fine garments

Dress in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiangaun
"Gaun" is related to Sanskrit "ghaṭikā" meaning "a garment".
Javaneseklambi
The word "klambi" shares its root with the word "klambu," which refers to a mosquito net, suggesting its original use as a protective covering.
Khmerស្លៀកពាក់
Laoແຕ່ງຕົວ
Malaypakaian
"Pakaian" in Malay also means 'the act of wearing (clothes)' similar to 'pakaian' in Indonesian that means 'to wear'
Thaiแต่งตัว
แต่งตัว is used to mean 'dress' but also means 'decorate' or 'wear clothes'.
Vietnamesetrang phục
Trang phục can also be used in Vietnamese when discussing dressing or disguising in a general sense, including when used in reference to a specific costume.
Filipino (Tagalog)damit

Dress in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanipaltar
The word "paltar" can also refer to "clothes" or "garments" as a whole or to a "suit".
Kazakhкөйлек
The Kazakh word "көйлек" originally referred to a long, loose shirt worn by both men and women, and is cognate with the Kyrgyz term "көйнөк" and the Mongolian term "хөлөг".
Kyrgyzкөйнөк
The word "көйнөк" is also used to refer to a "shirt" or "tunic", and is related to the Turkic word "könçek", meaning "long-sleeved garment".
Tajikлибос
The word "либос” also corresponds to a form of clothing in Persian, Arabic and Turkic languages.
Turkmenköýnek
Uzbekkiyinish
The word "kiyinish" can also refer to the act of wearing clothes, or to clothing in general.
Uyghurكىيىم

Dress in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianlole
The Hawaiian word "lole" not only means "dress" but also "garment" or "cloth".
Maorikakahu
In Maori mythology, the kakahu is the garment worn by the atua (gods).
Samoanofu
The Samoan word "ofu" originates from the Proto-Polynesian term "wufu", indicating its widespread use throughout the Polynesian islands.}
Tagalog (Filipino)damit
The Tagalog word "damit" is ultimately derived from the Spanish word "camisa.

Dress in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaraisi
Guaranisái

Dress in International Languages

Esperantorobo
The Esperanto word "robo" is derived from the Polish word "szata", meaning "garment" or "gown".
Latinhabitu
In Latin, "habitu" can also mean "condition" or "demeanor"

Dress in Others Languages

Greekφόρεμα
The word "φόρεμα" (dress) derives from the verb "φέρω" (to wear), and in ancient Greek, it referred to a loose-fitting garment worn by both men and women.
Hmonghnav
The Hmong word "hnav" also refers to a woman's top and skirt ensemble.
Kurdishlebas
The Kurdish word "lebas" can also refer to a type of traditional outer garment worn by men and women.
Turkishelbise
The word "elbise" in Turkish is of Arabic or Greek or Persian origin and also refers to "garments" in general.
Xhosaisinxibo
The word "isinxibo" in Xhosa can also refer to a shirt or blouse.
Yiddishקלייד
The Yiddish word "קלייד" (kleid) comes from the German word "Kleid," which also means "dress."
Zuluingubo
The Zulu word "ingubo" is also used to refer to a type of traditional garment worn by young women during initiation ceremonies.
Assameseপোছাক
Aymaraisi
Bhojpuriपहिनावा
Dhivehiހެދުން
Dogriपैहनावा
Filipino (Tagalog)damit
Guaranisái
Ilocanobistida
Kriodrɛs
Kurdish (Sorani)جل
Maithiliकापिड़ पहनू
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯗꯤꯔꯣꯜ
Mizothawmhnaw
Oromouffachuu
Odia (Oriya)ପୋଷାକ
Quechuapacha
Sanskritपरिधानं
Tatarкием
Tigrinyaቀምሽ
Tsongaambala

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