Gay in different languages

Gay in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'gay' has undergone a significant evolution in meaning over the past century. Originally used to describe feelings of happiness or carefree behavior, it has since become a term that primarily refers to homosexual men, and by extension, to homosexual women as well. This shift in meaning reflects the word's cultural importance and the changing attitudes towards sexuality in society.

Given the global reach of the English language, it's not uncommon for people to want to know the translation of 'gay' in their native language. For some, it may be a matter of personal identity or a way to connect with others who share their sexual orientation. For others, it may be a simple matter of curiosity or a desire to expand their vocabulary.

Here are a few sample translations of 'gay' in different languages: Spanish - 'gay'; French - 'gai'; German - 'schwul'; Italian - 'gay'; Japanese - ゲイ (gei); Chinese - 同性戀 (tóngxìng liàn); Russian - гей (gei).

Understanding the translation of 'gay' in different languages can help break down barriers and foster a sense of community among LGBTQ+ individuals around the world. By promoting cultural awareness and understanding, we can work towards a more inclusive and diverse society.

Gay


Gay in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansgay
Amharicግብረ ሰዶማዊ
Hausagay
In Hausa, "gay" also means "carefree" or "playful."
Igbonwoke nwere mmasị nwoke
The Igbo word for "gay" literally means "a man who has women".
Malagasypelaka
The word "pelaka" in Malagasy can also mean "different" or "unusual".
Nyanja (Chichewa)gay
The Nyanja word "chihwanda" means both "gay" and "foolish".
Shonangochani
In Shona, 'ngochani' can also mean 'to be playful' or 'to be mischievous'.
Somaliqaniis
In Somali, the word 'Qaniis' also refers to an 'extravagant' person, and has no correlation with sexuality.
Sesothomosodoma
Swahilishoga
In Swahili, "shoga" can also mean "friend" or "buddy" and is often used as a term of endearment or companionship.
Xhosaisitabane
In Xhosa, the word "isitabane" has alternate meanings, including "one who is lazy" and "one who is always tired."
Yorubaonibaje
Yoruba people also use the term
Zuluisitabane
The word "isitabane" in Zulu can also refer to a "wild, uncontrollable person" or a "naughty child".
Bambaragayi
Ewegayibɔ
Kinyarwandaabaryamana bahuje ibitsina
Lingalagay
Lugandaabagaala ebisiyaga
Sepedigay
Twi (Akan)gay, ɔbarima ne ɔbea nna

Gay in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicمثلي الجنس
The word "مثلي الجنس" in Arabic derives from the root word "جن" meaning "to incline" or "to deviate", and can also refer to a "demon" or "evil spirit".
Hebrewהומו
The word "הומו" in Hebrew has a double meaning, referring both to homosexuality and a type of chickpea.
Pashtoهمجنګ
The Pashto word "همجنګ" (hamjang) also means "comrade" or "ally".
Arabicمثلي الجنس
The word "مثلي الجنس" in Arabic derives from the root word "جن" meaning "to incline" or "to deviate", and can also refer to a "demon" or "evil spirit".

Gay in Western European Languages

Albanianhomoseksual
The Albanian word "homoseksual" is derived from the Latin "homosexualis", which means "of the same sex".
Basquegay
The Basque word "alait" means "happy" or "merry" but can also refer to someone who is homosexual.
Catalangai
Catalan 'gai' derives from L. 'iucundus', which can mean both 'joyful' and 'gay'.
Croatiangay
In Croatian, "gay" also means "forest" and can be used as a euphemism for poverty or misfortune.
Danishhomoseksuel
The Danish word "homoseksuel" derives from the Greek words "homos" (same) and "sexus" (sex).
Dutchhomo
In Dutch, "homo" originated as an abbreviation of "homoseksueel" (homosexual) but also has a different meaning: a human being.
Englishgay
The word 'gay' has meant 'happy or merry' since the 14th century, and 'homosexual or lesbian' since the 20th century.
Frenchgay
In French, the word "gai" can also mean "cheerful" or "bright."
Frisiangay
In Frisian, the word "gay" can also mean "funny" or "cheerful".
Galiciangay
In Galician, the word "gAi" means "joyful" but is often used sarcastically.
Germanfröhlich
The word "Fröhlich" originally meant "carefree" or "happy" and is related to the Old English word "fæger," meaning "beautiful".
Icelandichommi
The word "hommi" is used in Icelandic poetry to denote a type of verse, and the meaning of "gay" is a later addition to the word, likely influenced by the similar spelling of "homosexual".
Irishaerach
The Irish word 'aerach' not only means 'gay', but also 'airy' and 'cheerful'.
Italiangay
The Italian word 'gaio' also means 'cheerful' or 'merry'.
Luxembourgishschwul
In some rural and eastern areas of Luxembourg, "schwul" can also mean "intoxicated, drunk or tipsy."
Malteseomosesswali
Omosesswali derives from 'omo-' meaning 'human', and '-sesswali' meaning 'sex', hence 'homosexuality' in English.
Norwegianhomofil
The word "homofil" was also used earlier to refer to people who were sympathetic to homosexuality, even if they did not identify as gay themselves.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)gay
In Portuguese, "gay" can also mean "happy" or "cheerful".
Scots Gaelicgay
The Scots Gaelic word "gaidh" can also mean "thief" or "rogue".
Spanishgay
In Spanish, "gay" can also mean "joyful" or "cheerful".
Swedishgay
In Swedish, "gay" has additional meanings of "cheerful" and "brightly colored"}
Welshhoyw
The Welsh word "hoyw" is also used to refer to something that is cheerful or lively.

Gay in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianгей
In Belarusian, "гей" can also mean "hey" or "hello".
Bosniangej
The word "gej" also refers to a "party", or "gathering"}
Bulgarianгей
In Bulgarian, the word "гей" (pronounced like "gay") means "crazy" or "mad".
Czechgay
In Czech, the word "gay" means cheerful and carefree.
Estoniangei
In Estonian "gei" also means "craze", "urge" or "drive".
Finnishhomo
In Finnish, "homo" can also refer to a same-sex partner or a homosexual relationship.
Hungarianmeleg
The Hungarian word "meleg" originally meant "warm" and is only in a relatively recent usage that the word came to mean "gay".
Latviangeju
In Latvian, "geju" also refers to a group of people who work together, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Lithuaniangėjus
"Gėjus" derives from the Latin word "gaudere" (to rejoice), which may have influenced its positive connotation in Lithuanian.
Macedonianгеј
The word "геј" in Macedonian has other meanings such as "foolish" or "unwise".
Polishwesoły
In Polish, the word "wesoły" means both "cheerful" and "homosexual".
Romaniangay
In Romanian, "gay" originally meant 'carefree', 'vivacious', and 'cheerful', and has no connection to its English usage.
Russianгей
The word "гей" in Russian can also mean "joyful" or "lively".
Serbianгеј
The Serbian word "геј" can also refer to someone who is pleasant or cheerful.
Slovakgay
The word “gay” in Slovak can also mean "cheerful" or "brightly colored."
Sloveniangej
The Slovenian word "gej" can also mean "foolish" or "silly".
Ukrainianгей
In Ukrainian, "гей" can also mean "hey" or "yo."

Gay in South Asian Languages

Bengaliসমকামী
The Bengali word 'সমকামী' ('shomokami') originally referred to an effeminate man or an androgynous person, but its meaning gradually shifted to mean 'homosexual' under the influence of English.
Gujaratiગે
ગે (gay) may originally have meant
Hindiसमलैंगिक
The word समलैंगिक literally means "equal gender" or "same class" and is used in Hindi to refer to someone who is homosexual.
Kannadaಸಲಿಂಗಕಾಮಿ
The word "ಸಲಿಂಗಕಾಮಿ" can also refer to the "gay" dance performed on special occasions or as a form of worship in some Indian communities.
Malayalamസ്വവർഗ്ഗാനുരാഗി
Marathiसमलिंगी
The term "समलिंगी" can also refer to a "hermaphrodite" in Marathi.
Nepaliसमलि .्गी
समलि .्गी can also refer to a specific type of flower, the "marigold".
Punjabiਸਮਲਿੰਗੀ
Sinhala (Sinhalese)සමලිංගික
The word also refers to the quality of being cheerful or bright.
Tamilகே
The word "கே" (gay) in Tamil also means "good" or "right."
Teluguగే
In Telugu, గే (ge) also means 'red', 'crimson', 'beautiful', and 'lustrous'.
Urduہم جنس پرست
The term "gay" may also refer to social or political movements that promote the rights of the LGBT community.

Gay in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)同性恋者
在19世纪后期,汉语吸收了英语单词“gay”,并赋予了它“快乐、开朗”的含义。
Chinese (Traditional)同性戀者
同性戀者,原指「快樂、歡樂」,後意譯自英文「gay」而特指男同性戀者。
Japaneseゲイ
In Japanese, the word "ゲイ" is also used as an adjective meaning "bright" or "cheerful."
Korean게이
In Korean, "게이" can also mean "bright" or "festive."
Mongolianгей
The Mongolian word "гей" also means "light" or "faint".
Myanmar (Burmese)လိင်တူချစ်သူ

Gay in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiangay
The Indonesian word "gay" originates from the Sanskrit root "ga" meaning "to go" or "to move".
Javanesehomo
The Javanese word "homo" can also refer to a person who is not sexually attractive.
Khmerខ្ទើយ
The Khmer word ខ្ទើយ ("gay") can also mean "lazy" or "effeminate."
Laogay
In Lao, the word "gay" can also mean "happy" or "cheerful."
Malaygay
In Malay, "gay" means "happy," "excited," or "lively."
Thaiเกย์
In Thai, the word "เกย์" can also mean "funny" or "ridiculous".
Vietnamesegay
"Gay" trong tiếng Việt có gốc từ "gai" chỉ "sự vui", được dùng như một tính từ chỉ "vui vẻ, tươi cười".
Filipino (Tagalog)bakla

Gay in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanigey
In Azerbaijani, "gey" can also mean "handsome", "stylish", or "cool".
Kazakhгей
The Kazakh word "гей" can also mean "happy" or "cheerful"
Kyrgyzгей
The Kyrgyz word "гей" is borrowed from the Russian language, where it means "gay", and has the same meaning in Kyrgyz.
Tajikгей
In addition to meaning 'gay', 'гей' can also mean 'a person who plays musical instrument'
Turkmengeý
Uzbekgomoseksual
The Uzbek word "gomoseksual" also means "homosexual" in Turkish.
Uyghurھەمجىنىسلار

Gay in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianwahine kāne
Wahine kāne is a Hawaiian term that originally referred to cross-dressing men but has more recently come to be used as a general term for individuals who identify as gay.
Maoritakatāpui
The word "takatāpui" in Māori has historical roots in spiritual and social roles within traditional Māori society and carries a broader meaning than the contemporary English term "gay".
Samoangay
Gay was first adopted by Samoan fa'afafine as a term for their third gender identity.
Tagalog (Filipino)bakla
The term "bakla" originated from the Tagalog word for a type of bean used to cook a traditional dish called "ginisang munggo" which is popular as a vegetarian viand

Gay in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaragay sat jaqiwa
Guaranigay rehegua

Gay in International Languages

Esperantogaja
Esperanto's "gaja" is derived from the Sanskrit word "gaja," meaning "elephant," and has alternate meanings of "great" or "noble."
Latingay
In Latin, "gay" meant "happy" or "joyful".

Gay in Others Languages

Greekγκέι
In Greece, the word "γκέι" can also mean "happy" or "cheerful".
Hmonggay
The word "gay" in Hmong can also mean "happy" or "lively."
Kurdishgay
In Kurdish, "gay" doesn't exclusively mean "homosexual" but also "good, fine, excellent".
Turkisheşcinsel
The Turkish word "eşcinsel" originally meant "homosexual" but has since taken on a broader meaning to include all LGBTQ+ people.
Xhosaisitabane
In Xhosa, the word "isitabane" has alternate meanings, including "one who is lazy" and "one who is always tired."
Yiddishפריילעך
The Yiddish word "פֿריילעך" (pronounced "freylakh") can also mean "joyous" or "merry."
Zuluisitabane
The word "isitabane" in Zulu can also refer to a "wild, uncontrollable person" or a "naughty child".
Assameseগে
Aymaragay sat jaqiwa
Bhojpuriसमलैंगिक के बा
Dhivehiގޭ އެވެ
Dogriसमलैंगिक
Filipino (Tagalog)bakla
Guaranigay rehegua
Ilocanobakla
Kriogay pipul dɛn
Kurdish (Sorani)هاوڕەگەزباز
Maithiliसमलैंगिक
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯒꯦ꯫
Mizogay a ni
Oromosaalqunnamtii saala walfakkaataa raawwatu
Odia (Oriya)ସମଲିଙ୍ଗୀ
Quechuagay
Sanskritसमलैङ्गिकः
Tatarгей
Tigrinyaግብረሰዶማዊ
Tsongagay

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