Electricity in different languages

Electricity in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

Electricity is a fundamental aspect of modern life, powering our homes, businesses, and infrastructure. It has transformed the world, making possible countless technological advancements and shaping the course of human history. From the ancient Greeks' early experiments with static electricity to the harnessing of electrical power in the Industrial Revolution, electricity has been a source of endless fascination and exploration.

Beyond its practical uses, electricity holds a special place in our cultural imagination, symbolizing innovation, energy, and even the mysteries of life itself. Consider, for instance, the electrifying charge of a first kiss or the spark of a new idea!

Given its global significance, it's no wonder that people around the world have sought to translate the word 'electricity' into their own languages. Below, you'll find a list of translations that reflect the rich diversity of human languages and cultures.

Electricity


Electricity in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaanselektrisiteit
The word "elektrisiteit" comes from the Greek word "elektron", meaning "amber".
Amharicኤሌክትሪክ
"ኤሌክትሪክ" comes from the Greek word "ἤλεκτρον" (elektron), which means "amber".
Hausawutar lantarki
The Hausa word for electricity, “wutar lantarki,” literally translates to “fire of the lantern”.
Igboọkụ eletrik
Malagasyherinatratra
The Malagasy word "herinatratra" is derived from the Proto-Malayo-Polynesian word "*qiRiŋ" meaning "lightning".
Nyanja (Chichewa)magetsi
The term 'magetsi' is a loanword from the English 'electricity' which is originally derived from the Greek term ἤλεκτρον, which meant both 'amber' and 'electricity'.
Shonamagetsi
The word "magetsi" is derived from the verb "kugeza", meaning "to revive" or "to invigorate".
Somalikoronto
The word "koronto" is derived from the Italian word "corrente", meaning "current".
Sesothomotlakase
The term 'motlakase', derived from the Sesotho word 'motlakase', originally referred to 'lightning' before being adopted for 'electricity'.
Swahiliumeme
"Umeme" also means "lightning" in Swahili.
Xhosaumbane
The Xhosa word 'umbane' also refers to 'light' and 'lightning'.
Yorubaitanna
Itanna (electricity) derives from 'itã' (fire) and 'ínà' (flash), referring to the flashes of lightning and fire associated with electricity.
Zuluugesi
In Zulu, the term “ugesi” originally referred to the force or energy found in traditional African medicines.
Bambarakuran ye
Eweelektrikŋusẽ
Kinyarwandaamashanyarazi
Lingalakura
Lugandaamasannyalaze
Sepedimohlagase
Twi (Akan)anyinam ahoɔden

Electricity in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicكهرباء
كهرباء comes from the Greek ἤλεκτρον, which originally meant amber; the static electric charge on amber gives the root word's connection to its modern-day understanding.
Hebrewחַשְׁמַל
The Hebrew word "חַשְׁמַל" (electricity) can also refer to angels or a vision of God in the Bible, according to some interpretations.
Pashtoبریښنا
The word "بریښنا" also refers to lightning, illumination, spark, flash, flame in Pashto.
Arabicكهرباء
كهرباء comes from the Greek ἤλεκτρον, which originally meant amber; the static electric charge on amber gives the root word's connection to its modern-day understanding.

Electricity in Western European Languages

Albanianelektricitet
In the Albanian language, the word "elektricitet" derives from Latin word electricitas, which is itself derived from the Ancient Greek word elektron, which means "amber". Amber is a fossilized resin that, when rubbed, produces static charges, giving it the ability to attract lightweight objects.
Basqueelektrizitatea
'Elektrizitatea' is derived from the Greek term 'elektron', meaning 'amber', a substance known for its static electric properties.
Catalanelectricitat
The word "electricitat" in Catalan comes from the Latin word "electricus", meaning "like amber", which refers to the static electricity that can be generated by rubbing amber against a cloth.
Croatianstruja
The word "struja" also refers to a current (in water, wind, etc.) or a flow (of liquid).
Danishelektricitet
The Danish word "elektricitet" is derived from the Greek word "elektron" meaning "amber", as amber was one of the first substances to be studied for its electrical properties.
Dutchelektriciteit
The Dutch word "elektriciteit" comes from the Greek word "elektron", which means "amber".
Englishelectricity
The word 'electricity' comes from the Greek word 'elektron', meaning 'amber', which was the first material in which the phenomenon was observed.
Frenchélectricité
Électricité derives from the Greek word 'ēlektron,' which means amber, a material that attracts small objects when rubbed.
Frisianelektrisiteit
It is based on the New Latin word "ēlectricus", which derives from the Greek word "ēlektron", meaning "amber".
Galicianelectricidade
Germanelektrizität
"Elektrizität" ultimately derives from the Greek word for amber, "ήλεκτρον" (ēlektron), because the Greeks first observed static electricity by rubbing amber.
Icelandicrafmagn
The word "rafmagn" is derived from the words "raf" (amber) and "magn" (force), referring to the static electricity generated when amber is rubbed.
Irishleictreachas
"Leictreachas" derives from the Greek word for amber ("ēlektron") which attracted small objects when rubbed.
Italianelettricità
In Italian,
Luxembourgishstroum
Stroum is descended from the French word "courant", meaning current, or a flowing substance.
Malteseelettriku
The word 'elettriku' in Maltese originates from the Greek word 'elektron', meaning 'amber', which was the first known material to exhibit electrical properties.
Norwegianelektrisitet
The word 'elektrisitet' has Greek roots: 'elektron,' meaning amber or a related resin having the ability to attract small particles when rubbed, and 'statikos,' meaning standing.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)eletricidade
The word "eletricidade" derives from the Greek word "ἤλεκτρον" (elektron), meaning "amber", as electricity was first observed in amber.
Scots Gaelicdealan
The Scots Gaelic word "dealan" also means "element".
Spanishelectricidad
La palabra "electricidad" proviene del griego "elektron", que significa "ámbar", debido a la capacidad del ámbar para atraer pequeños objetos cuando se frota.
Swedishelektricitet
The word "elektricitet" in Swedish comes from the Greek word "elektron", which means "amber" - a fossil resin that can build up a negative electrostatic charge when rubbed.
Welshtrydan
The etymology of the Welsh word "trydan" is still debated but may relate to a Proto-Celtic *tredno, meaning "tremble".

Electricity in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianэлектрычнасць
The word "электрычнасць" is derived from the Greek word "ήλεκτρον"," which means "amber". Amber is a fossilized tree resin that has the property of attracting small objects when rubbed.
Bosnianstruja
The word "struja" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *struga, meaning "current" or "flow".
Bulgarianелектричество
The word "електричество" is derived from the Greek word for "amber," which was known for its ability to generate static electricity.
Czechelektřina
In Czech Republic, the word also means amber, which was called elektron by Greeks after it was found out that amber could become electrified.
Estonianelekter
The Estonian word 'elekter' derives from the Greek word 'elektron', which refers to amber, a substance that produces static electricity when rubbed.
Finnishsähköä
"Sähköä" is derived from the word "sähäkkä", meaning "lively" or "vigorous"
Hungarianelektromosság
The word "elektromosság" is derived from the Greek words "electron" (meaning "amber") and "mosság" (meaning "ability"), referring to the ability of amber to attract small objects when rubbed.
Latvianelektrība
The word "elektrība" (electricity) in Latvian comes from the Greek word "ḗlektron" (amber), referring to the static electricity generated by rubbing amber.
Lithuanianelektros
In Lithuanian, “elektros” is related to the Indo-European root “alek-” meaning “to shine” or “to burn”.
Macedonianелектрична енергија
The word "електрична енергија" ultimately derives from the Greek word for "amber", "ήλεκτρον" (ēlektron), because amber was observed to attract small objects when rubbed.
Polishelektryczność
The word "Elektryczność" in Polish derives from the Greek word "elektron", meaning "amber", where ancient people first observed static electricity.
Romanianelectricitate
In Romanian, the word "electricitate" comes from the Greek word "ēlektron", meaning "amber", as amber was the first material in which electric charge was observed.
Russianэлектричество
The Russian word "электричество" (electricity) derives from the Greek word ήλεκτρον (amber).
Serbianелектрична енергија
The Serbian word for "electricity", "електрична енергија", is rooted in the Greek word "ηλεκτρον" (elektron), meaning "amber".
Slovakelektrina
The word "elektrina" is a Slovak form of the Greek "elektron", which refers to amber and the static charge it can generate when rubbed.
Slovenianelektrika
In Slovenian, 'elektrika' can also refer to electrical appliances or installations.
Ukrainianелектрика
The Ukrainian word "електрика" also refers to electrical devices or systems.

Electricity in South Asian Languages

Bengaliবিদ্যুৎ
In Bengali, "বিদ্যুৎ" can also mean "lightning" or "electrical current"
Gujaratiવીજળી
"વીજળી" also means "lightning" in Gujarati, reflecting its link to atmospheric phenomena.
Hindiबिजली
"बिजली" also refers to a lightning flash and the god Indra's thunderbolt in Hinduism.
Kannadaವಿದ್ಯುತ್
The term "vidyut" originates from the Sanskrit root "vidyut" meaning "to shine", and also refers to lightning.
Malayalamവൈദ്യുതി
In Ayurvedic medicine, "വൈദ്യുതി" also refers to a type of massage performed with medicated oils.
Marathiवीज
In Marathi, 'वीज' also denotes 'lightning' and was likely derived from the Prakrit word 'vijjā' or the Sanskrit word 'vidyut' which both mean 'light'.
Nepaliबिजुली
"बिजुली" is derived from Sanskrit "विद्युत्" and means both "lightning" and "electricity".
Punjabiਬਿਜਲੀ
Sinhala (Sinhalese)විදුලිබල
"විදුලිබල" is also a synonym for power or strength, implying a powerful or energetic force.
Tamilமின்சாரம்
Teluguవిద్యుత్
The term derives from the Sanskrit word 'vidyut' which means 'to shine'.
Urduبجلی
The word "بجلی" is thought to have derived from the Arabic or Persian word for "lightning".

Electricity in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)电力
电力 (diànlì) comes from the Greek word “electron” meaning “amber” and is related to the phenomenon of static electricity.
Chinese (Traditional)電力
電力 (dìan lì) is also used to refer to “electric power” or “electricity generation”.
Japanese電気
電気 is also one of the Sino-Japanese terms for amber, originating in the 18th century from its static electric charge.
Korean전기
전기(電氣)는 '전'(電, electricity)과 '기'(氣, energy) 두 글자를 합한 말로, 흔히 전기 에너지를 가리킵니다.
Mongolianцахилгаан
The Mongolian word цахилгаан is cognate with the Sanskrit word तड़ित् which means lightning and the Tibetan word ༼སྒྲ་ན༽ which means thunder, and originally referred to static electricity.
Myanmar (Burmese)လျှပ်စစ်ဓာတ်အား

Electricity in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianlistrik
"Listrik" comes from the Dutch word "electriciteit" and was originally used to refer to the physical presence of electricity, not the current itself.
Javaneselistrik
The Javanese word "listrik" is derived from the Dutch word "electriciteit".
Khmerអគ្គិសនី
Laoໄຟຟ້າ
The word "ໄຟຟ້າ" in Lao is derived from the Sanskrit term "विद्युत" (vidyut), which literally means "shining" or "illuminating."
Malayelektrik
In Malay, "elektrik" also refers to devices that use electricity, such as lights and fans.
Thaiไฟฟ้า
ไฟฟ้า "phai-fa" originates from Sanskrit विद्युत (vidyut) meaning "lightning" or "electricity".
Vietnameseđiện lực
"Điện lực" also refers to electrical power as a noun, and electrical power and energy as a verb.
Filipino (Tagalog)kuryente

Electricity in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanielektrik
The word "elektrik" is derived from the Greek word "elektron," which means "amber."
Kazakhэлектр қуаты
The word 'электр қуаты' is derived from the Greek word 'ḗlektron', meaning 'amber', referring to the static electricity generated when amber is rubbed.
Kyrgyzэлектр энергиясы
Кирг. "электр энергиясы", как и русск. "электричество", происходит от греч. ήλεκτρον и означает буквально «янтарный».
Tajikбарқ
The word “барқ” is borrowed from the Persian “برق” which also means flash or lightning.
Turkmenelektrik
Uzbekelektr energiyasi
"Elektr energiyasi" derives from the Greek word "elektron" which means "amber".
Uyghurتوك

Electricity in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianuila
In Hawaiian mythology, "uila" originally referred to gods and chiefs, who were believed to be imbued with electricity's potent force.
Maorihiko
The word hiko derives from the Proto-Polynesian root *fiko, meaning 'to move swiftly' or 'to shake'.
Samoaneletise
The word “eletise” is derived from the English word “electricity” and is used to describe the concept of electrical energy.
Tagalog (Filipino)kuryente
“Kuryente” means “current” and refers to flowing water, electrons, and other moving things.

Electricity in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaraluz ukata
Guaranielectricidad rehegua

Electricity in International Languages

Esperantoelektro
The word "elektro" also refers to the field of electrical engineering.
Latinelectricae
The word "electricae" can refer to amber, lodestone, or electric fish in Latin.

Electricity in Others Languages

Greekηλεκτρική ενέργεια
The word "ηλεκτρική ενέργεια" is derived from the Greek word "ήλεκτρον", which means "amber". Amber was the first material known to exhibit static electricity.
Hmonghluav taws xob
Hluav Taws Xob is also known as "electric current" or "electricity" or "power"
Kurdishelatrîk
The word 'elatrîk' is borrowed from the Greek word 'elektron', meaning 'amber' or 'shining metal', and is related to the word 'electricity'.
Turkishelektrik
The Arabic origin of the word elektrik (كهرباء) literally translates to 'amber'
Xhosaumbane
The Xhosa word 'umbane' also refers to 'light' and 'lightning'.
Yiddishעלעקטריק
The Yiddish word עלעקטריק (electricity) shares its etymology with the Greek word ἤλεκτρον (elektron), meaning 'amber', as electricity was first discovered through the static charge generated by rubbing amber.
Zuluugesi
In Zulu, the term “ugesi” originally referred to the force or energy found in traditional African medicines.
Assameseবিদ্যুৎ
Aymaraluz ukata
Bhojpuriबिजली के सुविधा दिहल गइल बा
Dhivehiކަރަންޓް
Dogriबिजली दी
Filipino (Tagalog)kuryente
Guaranielectricidad rehegua
Ilocanokoriente
Krioilɛktrishɔn
Kurdish (Sorani)کارەبا
Maithiliबिजली
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯏꯂꯦꯛꯠꯔꯤꯁꯤꯇꯤ ꯄꯤꯕꯥ꯫
Mizoelectric a awm bawk
Oromoibsaa
Odia (Oriya)ବିଦ୍ୟୁତ୍
Quechuaelectricidad nisqawan
Sanskritविद्युत्
Tatarэлектр
Tigrinyaኤሌክትሪክ ምጥቃም ይከኣል
Tsongagezi

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