Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'effective' is a powerful tool in any language. It describes the ability to produce a result, to get the job done, or to bring about a desired outcome. This concept is culturally important, as it transcends borders and unites us in our pursuit of success. Understanding the translation of 'effective' in different languages can open up new opportunities for communication and collaboration.
For instance, in Spanish, 'effective' translates to 'efectivo', which not only means effective but also refers to something that is in cash or current. In French, 'effective' becomes 'efficace', which shares the same Latin root as its English counterpart. In Mandarin, 'effective' is translated as '有效' (yǒuxiào), a term that also implies validity and authenticity.
Explore the many translations of 'effective' and broaden your cultural and linguistic horizons. Here are some translations to get you started:
Afrikaans | effektief | ||
Amharic | ውጤታማ | ||
Like its English equivalent, "ውጤታማ" can also mean "sufficient" when describing a quantity. | |||
Hausa | tasiri | ||
"Tasiri" can also mean "efficacy" or "potency". | |||
Igbo | irè | ||
The word 'ire' also means 'something is working as expected'. | |||
Malagasy | fiasana mahomby | ||
"FIASA" means "successful" and "MAHOMBY" means "true," thus "FIASANA MAHOMBY" is a way to describe something as truly successful. | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | zothandiza | ||
The word 'kuzothandiza' in Nyanja also means 'to assist' or 'to help', highlighting its multifaceted nature. | |||
Shona | inoshanda | ||
The Shona word "inoshanda" may also refer to "usefulness" or a "working condition." | |||
Somali | wax ku ool ah | ||
The word "wax ku ool ah" can also mean "efficient" or "productive" in Somali. | |||
Sesotho | atlehang | ||
Atlehang is also the name of a river in the Free State province of South Africa. | |||
Swahili | ufanisi | ||
In addition to meaning "effective," "ufanisi" also means "success" and "prosperity" in Swahili. | |||
Xhosa | esebenzayo | ||
The Xhosa word "esebenzayo" has historical roots in the concept of "working effectively" or "being productive". | |||
Yoruba | munadoko | ||
The word "munadoko" can also mean "powerful" or "vigorous" in Yoruba. | |||
Zulu | ngempumelelo | ||
Ngempumelelo derives from the Zulu word 'pumelela', meaning 'succeed' or 'achieve'. | |||
Bambara | min bɛ baara la | ||
Ewe | wɔa dɔ | ||
Kinyarwanda | ingirakamaro | ||
Lingala | ezosala malamu | ||
Luganda | kitukiridwako | ||
Sepedi | šomago ka tshwanelo | ||
Twi (Akan) | yɛ adwuma | ||
Arabic | فعال | ||
In Arabic, | |||
Hebrew | יָעִיל | ||
יָעִיל is cognate with Arabic "يَعُول" meaning "to seek or care for". | |||
Pashto | مؤثره | ||
The word 'effective' comes from Latin, and it is related to words that mean 'work' or 'make'. It can also refer to something that has a desired result. | |||
Arabic | فعال | ||
In Arabic, |
Albanian | efektive | ||
The Albanian word "efektive" is derived from the Latin word "efficere", meaning "to bring about, accomplish". | |||
Basque | eraginkorra | ||
"Eraginkorra" comes from the words "eragin" (effect) and "kor" (work), so it literally means "that which makes an effect." | |||
Catalan | eficaç | ||
The word "eficaç" in Catalan is derived from the Latin word "efficax," meaning "producing an effect". It can also mean "successful" or "adequate". | |||
Croatian | djelotvoran | ||
The Croatian word "djelotvoran" is derived from the Slavic word "djelo", which means "deed" or "action" | |||
Danish | effektiv | ||
The Danish word "effektiv" also means "efficient" and "energetic". | |||
Dutch | effectief | ||
In Dutch, "effectief" can also refer to a military corps or a body of troops. | |||
English | effective | ||
"Effective" comes from the Latin "efficere," meaning "to accomplish" or "to bring about." | |||
French | efficace | ||
The French word "efficace" derives from the Latin word "efficax," meaning "able to produce an effect". | |||
Frisian | effektyf | ||
The word 'effektyf' is rooted in the Latin 'effectivus', meaning 'producing an effect or result' or accomplishing an intended purpose. | |||
Galician | eficaz | ||
German | wirksam | ||
The word "Wirksam" is derived from the Proto-Germanic verb "wirkjan," meaning "to work" or "to make." | |||
Icelandic | áhrifarík | ||
Áhrifarík is derived from the Old Norse words "áhrif" (effect) and "ríkur" (rich), and also has the alternate meaning of "potent". | |||
Irish | éifeachtach | ||
The Irish word "éifeachtach" can also refer to "force" or "energy", highlighting its strong connotation with effectiveness and productivity. | |||
Italian | efficace | ||
Efficace derives from the Latin word efficax, meaning "producing an effect". | |||
Luxembourgish | effektiv | ||
In Luxembourgish, "effektiv" means "not really" or "not so much", as opposed to the original German where it means "effective". | |||
Maltese | effettiva | ||
The Maltese word "effettiva" comes from the Italian word "effettiva" meaning "actual", "real", or "effective". | |||
Norwegian | effektiv | ||
In Norwegian, "effektiv" can also mean "efficient" or "effective in achieving a desired result". | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | eficaz | ||
The word "eficaz" originates from the Latin word "efficax", meaning "productive, effective", and is also related to the word "efficacy", meaning "the ability to produce a desired effect". | |||
Scots Gaelic | èifeachdach | ||
"Èifeachdach" is an adjective derived from the noun "èifeachd" meaning "effect" or "result", ultimately from Latin "effectus". | |||
Spanish | eficaz | ||
The Spanish word "eficaz" is a cognate of the Greek word "energos", which refers to 'activity or work' | |||
Swedish | effektiv | ||
The word "effektiv" in Swedish can also mean "actual" or "real" | |||
Welsh | effeithiol | ||
In Welsh, the word for effective is effeithiol and it's related to the Latin word effectus. |
Belarusian | эфектыўны | ||
Эфектыўны comes from `effect` in Latin and its Russian cognate 'эффективный'; but it could also be related to Belarusian `эфект` ("effect") | |||
Bosnian | efikasan | ||
The word "efikasan" comes from the Turkish word "etki", meaning "effect, action". | |||
Bulgarian | ефективно | ||
The word "ефективно" in Bulgarian can also mean "efficiently" and comes from the French word "efficace". | |||
Czech | efektivní | ||
The term "efektivní" can also mean "real" or "actual" in Czech. | |||
Estonian | tõhus | ||
In the 1960s, "tõhus" meant "efficient" in Estonian, but later its usage shifted to also include the meaning of "effective". | |||
Finnish | tehokas | ||
The word "tehokas" is derived from the Proto-Finnic word "teho", meaning "strength" or "power." | |||
Hungarian | hatékony | ||
The word "hatékony" comes from the Proto-Slavic root *dět-, meaning "to do" or "to act." | |||
Latvian | efektīvs | ||
The term "efektīvs" has an additional meaning in Latvian: impactful, impressive. | |||
Lithuanian | veiksmingas | ||
"Veiksmingas" also means "efficient" and "operative" | |||
Macedonian | ефективни | ||
The Macedonian word "ефективни" can also mean "efficient" or "result-oriented". | |||
Polish | efektywny | ||
The Polish word "efektywny" derives from the Latin word "effectivus", which means "able to produce a result or effect". | |||
Romanian | efectiv | ||
In Romanian, 'efectiv' can also refer to 'number' or 'quantity', as in 'efectivul de elevi' (number of students). | |||
Russian | эффективный | ||
В русском языке слово "эффективный" также имеет значение "действенный, результативный", что отсутствует в английском языке. | |||
Serbian | ефикасан | ||
The Serbian word "ефикасан" derives from the Greek word "εφικνέομαι," meaning "to arrive at, reach, attain." | |||
Slovak | efektívne | ||
Slovak "efektívne" derives from Latin "efficiently", meaning "producing an effect". Also, "efektívne" can mean "cheaply". | |||
Slovenian | učinkovito | ||
The word 'učinkovito' is cognate to the English word 'efficient' and has the same meaning in Slovenian. | |||
Ukrainian | ефективний | ||
The word "ефективний" (effective) in Ukrainian is derived from the Latin word "efficere", meaning "to produce" or "to bring about." |
Bengali | কার্যকর | ||
The word "কার্যকর" is derived from the Sanskrit word "कार्य" meaning "work" or "action". | |||
Gujarati | અસરકારક | ||
અસરકારક is derived from Sanskrit "असर" (asar) meaning "essence" and "कारक" (karaka) meaning "doer", thus "essence-doer". Hence, it also means "essential" or "having an essence." | |||
Hindi | प्रभावी | ||
The word "प्रभावी" (effective) in Hindi has its roots in the Sanskrit word "प्रभाव" (influence, impact), suggesting its ability to bring about a change or result. | |||
Kannada | ಪರಿಣಾಮಕಾರಿ | ||
Malayalam | ഫലപ്രദമാണ് | ||
Marathi | प्रभावी | ||
प्रभावी also means 'having an impact on the outcome of something'. | |||
Nepali | प्रभावकारी | ||
The term 'प्रभावकारी' stems from the verb 'प्रभावित' which means 'to influence' or 'to make an impression upon'. | |||
Punjabi | ਅਸਰਦਾਰ | ||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | ඵලදායී | ||
The word 'ඵලදායී' (effective) in Sinhala is derived from two roots: 'phal' (fruit) and 'daya' (given), thus literally meaning 'fruit-bearing'. | |||
Tamil | பயனுள்ள | ||
Telugu | సమర్థవంతమైనది | ||
In Middle English, "effective" meant "having the nature of an effect." | |||
Urdu | موثر | ||
The word "موثر" in Urdu can also mean "influential" or "impressive" |
Chinese (Simplified) | 有效 | ||
"有效" (yǒuxiào) also has a sense of "valid", such as in the context of a document with legal authority. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 有效 | ||
有效's alternate meaning is 'to be in force' | |||
Japanese | 効果的 | ||
As “効能” (effect) and “得能” (gain) have similar pronunciations in Japanese, they can be combined to mean “effective” as “効果的.” | |||
Korean | 유효한 | ||
"유효하다"는 '유(又)'와 '효(效)'의 합성어로 '다시 효과가 생김'이라는 뜻 | |||
Mongolian | үр дүнтэй | ||
The word "үр дүнтэй" literally means "with a result/outcome". This reflects the idea that something is effective when it produces a desired result. | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | ထိရောက်သော | ||
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Indonesian | efektif | ||
In Indonesian, "efektif" can also mean "valid" or "in force." | |||
Javanese | efektif | ||
In Javanese, 'efektif' also refers to a weapon, particularly a knife or dagger. | |||
Khmer | មានប្រសិទ្ធិភាព | ||
Lao | ປະສິດທິຜົນ | ||
Malay | berkesan | ||
The word "berkesan" in Malay has multiple meanings, including "to be impressed" and "to leave an impression." | |||
Thai | มีประสิทธิภาพ | ||
มีประสิทธิภาพ means "effectively" and can also mean "effective person" or "powerful person". | |||
Vietnamese | có hiệu lực | ||
The word “có hiệu lực” has multiple meanings: (1) in force/operation; (2) valid (as a document); (3) effective, efficacious (as a drug). | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | epektibo | ||
Azerbaijani | təsirli | ||
In addition to its primary meaning as "effective," "təsirli" can also mean "influential," "impressive," or "powerful" in Azerbaijani. | |||
Kazakh | тиімді | ||
The word "тиімді" in Kazakh also means "appropriate" or "suitable". | |||
Kyrgyz | натыйжалуу | ||
The word "натыйжалуу" can also mean "result", "outcome", or "consequence" in Kyrgyz. | |||
Tajik | самаранок | ||
The Tajik word "самаранок" is derived from the Persian word "ثمرانک" (sāmārānak), meaning "bearing fruit" or "productive". It is also related to the Tajik word "самар" (samar), meaning "fruit". | |||
Turkmen | täsirli | ||
Uzbek | samarali | ||
The word "samarali" is a combination of the words "samar" (fruit) and "ali" (take), suggesting its role in providing benefits. | |||
Uyghur | ئۈنۈملۈك | ||
Hawaiian | maikaʻi | ||
In Hawaiian, "maikaʻi" also means "good," "pleasant," or "favorable." | |||
Maori | whai hua | ||
Whai hua, meaning "effective" in Māori, also signifies "to seek results," emphasizing the active pursuit of desired outcomes. | |||
Samoan | aoga | ||
The Samoan word "aoga" can also refer to "productive" or "useful". | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | mabisa | ||
Mabisa also means 'powerful' or 'strong'. It is derived from the root word 'bisa', which means 'venom' or 'poison'. |
Aymara | askiki | ||
Guarani | ha'eve | ||
Esperanto | efika | ||
"Efika" is derived from the Latin "efficere", meaning "to bring about". | |||
Latin | effective | ||
The Latin word "efficere" means "to bring about" or "to accomplish" and is the root of the English word "effective." |
Greek | αποτελεσματικός | ||
The word 'αποτελεσματικός' is derived from the Greek words 'από' (from) and 'τετέλεσμαι' (to have completed), and literally means 'brought to completion' or 'accomplished'. | |||
Hmong | siv tau | ||
The word "siv tau" in Hmong can also mean "to have the ability".} | |||
Kurdish | tesîrane | ||
The word "tesîrane" comes from the Arabic word "tāʾsīr" (influence) and also means "influential". | |||
Turkish | etkili | ||
The word "etkili" in Turkish can also mean "impressive" or "striking". | |||
Xhosa | esebenzayo | ||
The Xhosa word "esebenzayo" has historical roots in the concept of "working effectively" or "being productive". | |||
Yiddish | עפעקטיוו | ||
The Yiddish word "עפעקטיוו" ("effective") is derived from the Latin "effectivus" and means "capable of producing an intended effect". | |||
Zulu | ngempumelelo | ||
Ngempumelelo derives from the Zulu word 'pumelela', meaning 'succeed' or 'achieve'. | |||
Assamese | কাৰ্যকৰী | ||
Aymara | askiki | ||
Bhojpuri | असरदार | ||
Dhivehi | އަސަރުކުރުވާ | ||
Dogri | असरदार | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | epektibo | ||
Guarani | ha'eve | ||
Ilocano | nabirtud | ||
Krio | gud gud | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | کاریگەر | ||
Maithili | प्रभावशाली | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯀꯥꯟꯅꯕ | ||
Mizo | hlawkthlak | ||
Oromo | bu'a-qabeessa | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ପ୍ରଭାବଶାଳୀ | | ||
Quechua | qispisqa | ||
Sanskrit | प्रभावी | ||
Tatar | эффектив | ||
Tigrinya | ውፅኢታዊ | ||
Tsonga | tirhiseka | ||