Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'electronic' has become an integral part of our daily lives, signifying the technology that powers our devices and systems. From smartphones to satellites, electronic systems have transformed the way we communicate, work, and play. The cultural importance of electronics is undeniable, with innovations such as the transistor and integrated circuit fueling the digital revolution.
But have you ever wondered how the word 'electronic' translates in different languages? Understanding these translations can provide insight into how other cultures view and interact with technology. For example, in Spanish, 'electronic' becomes 'electrónico,' while in German it's 'elektronisch.' In French, the word is 'électronique,' and in Japanese, it's '電子的な' (denshiteki na).
Not only is exploring the translations of 'electronic' fascinating from a linguistic and cultural perspective, but it can also be practical. Whether you're traveling, doing business, or studying abroad, knowing the local term for 'electronic' can help you navigate and communicate more effectively.
Afrikaans | elektronies | ||
The word "elektronies" in Afrikaans is derived from the Greek word "elektron", meaning "amber", which was used to refer to static electricity in the early days of electricity research. | |||
Amharic | ኤሌክትሮኒክ | ||
Hausa | lantarki | ||
In Hausa, the word 'lantarki' derives from the English word 'lantern' and also means 'flashlight'. | |||
Igbo | kọmputa | ||
"Kọmputa" is a loan word from English. | |||
Malagasy | elektronika | ||
The word "elektronika" in Malagasy can also refer to the use of technology for educational purposes. | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | zamagetsi | ||
Shona | zvemagetsi | ||
The word "zvemagetsi" can also refer to electrical appliances or machinery. | |||
Somali | elektiroonig ah | ||
The Somali term "elektiroonig ah" is derived from English and refers to the use of electronics in various fields | |||
Sesotho | elektroniki | ||
The word 'elektroniki' is derived from the Greek word 'elektron', which means 'amber'. Amber was used to create static electricity in early experiments, which led to the development of electronics. | |||
Swahili | elektroniki | ||
In Swahili, "elektroniki" can also refer to electrical appliances or components. | |||
Xhosa | elektroniki | ||
The Xhosa word "elektroniki" can also refer to any modern technology, not just electronics. | |||
Yoruba | itanna | ||
The word "itanna" also means "story" or "history" in Yoruba | |||
Zulu | ngogesi | ||
In Zulu, the word 'ngogesi' can also mean 'lightning' or 'electricity'. | |||
Bambara | ɛntɛrinɛti kan | ||
Ewe | elektrɔnikmɔ̃wo dzi | ||
Kinyarwanda | ibikoresho bya elegitoroniki | ||
Lingala | na nzela ya elektroniki | ||
Luganda | eby’ebyuma bikalimagezi | ||
Sepedi | ya elektroniki | ||
Twi (Akan) | ɛlɛtrɔnik mfiri so | ||
Arabic | إلكتروني | ||
The word "إلكتروني" (electronic) in Arabic is derived from the Greek word "ēlektron", meaning "amber". | |||
Hebrew | אֶלֶקטרוֹנִי | ||
The Hebrew word "אֶלֶקטרוֹנִי" (electronic) originally meant "amber", referring to the ancient Greek belief that static electricity was caused by rubbing amber. | |||
Pashto | بریښنایی | ||
The Pashto word "بریښنایی" can also mean "luminous" or "shining". | |||
Arabic | إلكتروني | ||
The word "إلكتروني" (electronic) in Arabic is derived from the Greek word "ēlektron", meaning "amber". |
Albanian | elektronike | ||
The word "elektronike" in Albanian is an adjective or noun meaning "electronic". It is also used to describe electronic devices or systems. The word is derived from the Greek word "elektron," which means "amber". | |||
Basque | elektroniko | ||
The word "elektroniko" in Basque has two meanings: "electronic" and "light". | |||
Catalan | electrònica | ||
The word "electrònica" derives from the Greek "elektron", meaning "amber", the first substance to exhibit electrical properties | |||
Croatian | elektronički | ||
The Croatian word 'elektronički' also means 'electronic music'. | |||
Danish | elektronisk | ||
Elektronisk stammer fra græsk fra 'elektron', der betyder rav, fordi rav tiltrækker sig elektroner. | |||
Dutch | elektronisch | ||
Het woord "elektronisch" is afgeleid van het Griekse woord "elektron", dat "amber" betekent, omdat amber statische elektriciteit kan opwekken wanneer het wordt gewreven. | |||
English | electronic | ||
The word 'electronic' stems from the Greek word 'elektron,' meaning 'amber,' which was used for its static properties and is thus associated with electricity. | |||
French | électronique | ||
In French, the word "électronique" can also refer to the electronic music genre or the study of electronics. | |||
Frisian | elektroanyske | ||
The word "elektroanyske" in Frisian is a compound of "elektro" and "anyske". "Elektro" comes from the Greek word for "amber", while "anyske" means "like" or "similar to". Therefore, the word "elektroanyske" literally means "like amber". | |||
Galician | electrónico | ||
German | elektronisch | ||
The German word "elektronisch" is derived from the Greek word "elektron" meaning "amber" and alludes to the early use of amber in electrical experiments. | |||
Icelandic | rafræn | ||
The word "rafræn" in Icelandic can also refer to a "refrain" in music or a "chorus" of a song. | |||
Irish | leictreonach | ||
Despite its apparent similarity, the Irish word "leictreonach" does not derive from "electron," but instead is formed from "leictre" (electricity) and the suffix "-ach," denoting relation. | |||
Italian | elettronico | ||
The word "elettronico" comes from the Greek word "elektron," meaning "amber". Amber was used as an insulator in early electrical devices. | |||
Luxembourgish | elektronesch | ||
"Elektronesch" derives from the Greek word for "amber", which attracts dust when rubbed, hence its association with electricity. | |||
Maltese | elettroniku | ||
The Maltese word "elettroniku" is derived from the English word "electronic" and has the same meaning in both languages. | |||
Norwegian | elektronisk | ||
In Norwegian, 'elektronisk' can also mean artificial or digital, like an 'elektronisk lyd' (digital sound) | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | eletrônico | ||
In Portuguese, the word “eletrônico” can also refer to a type of music genre that combines elements of electronic music with traditional Brazilian rhythms. | |||
Scots Gaelic | dealanach | ||
The Gaelic word 'dealanach' can also refer to a telecommunication device such as a telephone or a fax machine. | |||
Spanish | electrónico | ||
"Electrónico" can also mean "related to elections" in Spanish. | |||
Swedish | elektronisk | ||
"Elektronisk" also means "stately" in Swedish, which is fitting given the sophisticated nature of electronic devices. | |||
Welsh | electronig | ||
The word 'electronig' in Welsh can also mean 'lightning' or 'spark' |
Belarusian | электронны | ||
The word "электронны" is cognate to the Russian word "электронный". In Russian, "электронный" is a synonym of the word "цифровой" and is often used in the context of "online" services. | |||
Bosnian | elektronski | ||
The word 'elektronski' is derived from the Greek word 'elektron', meaning 'amber'. | |||
Bulgarian | електронни | ||
Електронни (electronni) derives from the word електрон (electron). | |||
Czech | elektronický | ||
Elektronický also means 'electronic music' in Czech. | |||
Estonian | elektrooniline | ||
The word "elektrooniline" also means "digital" in Estonian. | |||
Finnish | sähköinen | ||
"Sähköinen" is derived from "sähkö," which can also mean "electricity." In addition to its primary meaning, "sähköinen" can mean "electrifying" or "electric." | |||
Hungarian | elektronikus | ||
In Hungarian, "elektronikus" can also refer to anything "of or pertaining to electrons, electric charges," or "electrical equipment." | |||
Latvian | elektroniska | ||
Latvian "elektroniska" can refer to both a "musical instrument" and a "musical genre", both derived from the root "elektron" meaning "electrical". | |||
Lithuanian | elektroninis | ||
The word "elektroninis" in Lithuanian is derived from the Latin word "electron" meaning "amber". | |||
Macedonian | електронски | ||
The word "електронски" in Macedonian also has the alternate meaning of "digital". | |||
Polish | elektroniczny | ||
The word 'elektroniczny' is derived from the Greek word 'elektron', meaning 'amber'. Amber was known to have electrostatic properties, which led to the use of the term 'elektroniczny' to describe electricity and electronics. | |||
Romanian | electronic | ||
"Electronic" in Romanian can also refer to "electronic music". | |||
Russian | электронный | ||
The word "электронный" can also mean "informational" or "digital" in Russian. | |||
Serbian | електронски | ||
In Serbian, the word "електронски" can refer to both electronic devices and electronic music. | |||
Slovak | elektronický | ||
The word "elektronický" can also refer to a type of music in Slovak. | |||
Slovenian | elektronski | ||
The Slovene word "elektronski" is borrowed from English, it was first recorded in 1953 as "elektronski mikroskop". | |||
Ukrainian | електронний | ||
The word "електронний" can also mean "virtual" or "digital" in Ukrainian. |
Bengali | বৈদ্যুতিক | ||
বৈদ্যুতিক শব্দের আক্ষরিক অর্থ 'বিদ্যুৎ সংক্রান্ত' | |||
Gujarati | ઇલેક્ટ્રોનિક | ||
Hindi | इलेक्ट्रोनिक | ||
An 'electronic' device is one that uses an electron tube to amplify or control signals. | |||
Kannada | ಎಲೆಕ್ಟ್ರಾನಿಕ್ | ||
Electron is a term referring both to the electron as a subatomic quantum particle, and to devices which rely upon electron activity, for their operation. | |||
Malayalam | ഇലക്ട്രോണിക് | ||
The word "ഇലക്ട്രോണിക്" ("electronic") can refer to something related to either "electrons" (electron-related phenomena) or "electricity" (electricity-related phenomena). | |||
Marathi | इलेक्ट्रॉनिक | ||
Nepali | इलेक्ट्रोनिक | ||
The word "इलेक्ट्रोनिक" in Nepali is derived from the Greek word "elektron", meaning "amber", which was used for its static electricity properties. | |||
Punjabi | ਇਲੈਕਟ੍ਰਾਨਿਕ | ||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | ඉලෙක්ට්රොනික | ||
Tamil | மின்னணு | ||
The word 'மின்னணு' is also an alternate name for the letter 'ண' in the Tamil script. | |||
Telugu | ఎలక్ట్రానిక్ | ||
The word "ఎలక్ట్రానిక్స్" comes from the Greek word "ήλεκτρον", meaning "amber". Amber is a fossilized resin that became electrified when rubbed, and was used in early experiments with electricity. | |||
Urdu | الیکٹرانک | ||
Chinese (Simplified) | 电子 | ||
"电子"除了"电子"的意思,还指以电子为基础的行业或器件。 | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 電子 | ||
In Chinese, 電子 can also mean "electron" as in subatomic particle while 電子學 means "electronics" as a field of study. | |||
Japanese | 電子 | ||
電子 is not just an abbreviation of 電子機器 (electronic devices), but also refers to electrons. | |||
Korean | 전자 | ||
The Korean word "전자" ("electronic") is derived from the Chinese word "電子" ("electron") and originally referred to the particle, not the concept. | |||
Mongolian | цахим | ||
The Mongolian word цахим (electronic) is derived from цахилгаан (electricity) and can also mean virtual or digital. | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | အီလက်ထရောနစ် | ||
Indonesian | elektronik | ||
"Elektronik" comes from "electronic" (English); but the Indonesian term means "consumer electronics or household appliances." | |||
Javanese | elektronik | ||
The Javanese word "elektronik" (electronics) also refers to an electric eel. | |||
Khmer | អេឡិចត្រូនិច | ||
Lao | ອີເລັກໂທຣນິກ | ||
Malay | elektronik | ||
In Malay, 'elektronik' also means 'electrified' or 'energized'. | |||
Thai | อิเล็กทรอนิกส์ | ||
The word "อิเล็กทรอนิกส์" (electronic) in Thai derives from the Greek word "ήλεκτρον" (amber), referring to the early observation of static electricity in amber. | |||
Vietnamese | điện tử | ||
The Vietnamese word "điện tử" can also refer to the concept of electrons or electricity in general and not just to "electronic" devices or components. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | elektroniko | ||
Azerbaijani | elektron | ||
Elektron means both “amber” and “electronics” in Azerbaijani, referring to the historical association between static electricity and amber. | |||
Kazakh | электронды | ||
Электронды is derived from the Greek word "electron", meaning "amber", which refers to the static charge produced by rubbing amber. | |||
Kyrgyz | электрондук | ||
"Электрондук" means "electronic" but also "related to the electron" in Kyrgyz. | |||
Tajik | электронӣ | ||
The word "electroнӣ" also means "digital" in Tajik. | |||
Turkmen | elektron | ||
Uzbek | elektron | ||
The word "elektron" in Uzbek also refers to "amber". | |||
Uyghur | ئېلېكترونلۇق | ||
Hawaiian | uila | ||
Uila was originally used in the 20th century to mean 'electric light', with 'lightning bolt' being a newer definition. | |||
Maori | hiko | ||
The word "hiko" also refers to the movement of birds and was traditionally used to describe the flight of arrows. | |||
Samoan | faaeletoroni | ||
The word "faaeletoroni" is formed from the words "fae" (for) and "eleletoroni" (electricity), and is equivalent to the English word "electronic". | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | electronic | ||
Aymara | electrónico ukampi | ||
Guarani | electrónico rehegua | ||
Esperanto | elektronika | ||
In Esperanto, the word "elektronika" is derived from the Greek word "elektron", meaning "amber", and refers to the study of the electrical properties of materials. | |||
Latin | electronic | ||
The word "electronic" comes from the Latin word "ēlectrum," meaning "amber," which was used to describe substances that produced static electricity. |
Greek | ηλεκτρονικός | ||
The word "ηλεκτρονικός" also means "amber" in Greek, a nod to the ancient Greeks' discovery of static electricity by rubbing amber. | |||
Hmong | raws hluav taws xob | ||
Some scholars believe the word "raws hluav taws xob" may have originated as Hmong people's misunderstanding of the Lao word for "electricity," "faifaan haeng lektrik." | |||
Kurdish | elektronîkî | ||
The word "elektronîkî" is derived from the Greek word for electr, the material from which the first electric batteries were made. | |||
Turkish | elektronik | ||
Elektronik, Türkçe'de aynı zamanda 'elektronik sigara' anlamına gelir. | |||
Xhosa | elektroniki | ||
The Xhosa word "elektroniki" can also refer to any modern technology, not just electronics. | |||
Yiddish | עלעקטראָניש | ||
Zulu | ngogesi | ||
In Zulu, the word 'ngogesi' can also mean 'lightning' or 'electricity'. | |||
Assamese | ইলেক্ট্ৰনিক | ||
Aymara | electrónico ukampi | ||
Bhojpuri | इलेक्ट्रॉनिक के बा | ||
Dhivehi | އިލެކްޓްރޯނިކް އެއްޗެކެވެ | ||
Dogri | इलेक्ट्रॉनिक | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | elektroniko | ||
Guarani | electrónico rehegua | ||
Ilocano | elektroniko nga | ||
Krio | ilɛktronik tin dɛn | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | ئەلیکترۆنی | ||
Maithili | इलेक्ट्रॉनिक | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯏꯂꯦꯛꯠꯔꯣꯅꯤꯛ ꯑꯣꯏꯕꯥ꯫ | ||
Mizo | electronic hmanga siam a ni | ||
Oromo | elektirooniksii | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ଇଲେକ୍ଟ୍ରୋନିକ୍ | | ||
Quechua | electrónico nisqa | ||
Sanskrit | इलेक्ट्रॉनिक | ||
Tatar | электрон | ||
Tigrinya | ኤሌክትሮኒካዊ ምዃኑ’ዩ። | ||
Tsonga | ya elektroniki | ||