Shelter in different languages

Shelter in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'shelter' holds a profound significance in our lives as it represents a place of protection and security. It is not just a physical structure, but also a metaphorical concept that signifies comfort and safety. Throughout history, shelters have played a crucial role in our survival, from ancient cave dwellings to modern skyscrapers. Moreover, the cultural importance of shelters varies across the globe, reflecting different architectural styles, materials, and traditions.

Understanding the translation of 'shelter' in different languages can provide valuable insights into diverse cultures and societies. For instance, in Spanish, 'shelter' translates to 'refugio,' while in French, it is 'abri.' In German, 'shelter' is 'Unterschlupf,' and in Japanese, it is 'Schutz.'

By learning these translations, we not only expand our vocabulary but also deepen our appreciation for the richness and diversity of human cultures. So, whether you're a language enthusiast, a world traveler, or simply curious, exploring the translations of 'shelter' is a fascinating journey that awaits you.

Shelter


Shelter in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansskuiling
"Skuiling" is derived from the Dutch word "schuilen" and is also used to refer to a shed or a small house.
Amharicመጠለያ
In Amharic, መጠለያ (shelter) also means refuge, sanctuary, asylum, or protection.
Hausamafaka
The word 'mafaka' also means 'shade' in Hausa.
Igboebe mgbaba
The Igbo word for 'shelter,' 'ebe mgbaba,' translates to either 'house of a stranger' and 'house of protection,' showcasing an interplay of safety and vulnerability in its meaning.
Malagasyfialofana
The word "fialofana" is derived from the root word "fialoha" meaning "love" and "ana" meaning "mother", thus suggesting a sense of protection and nurturing.
Nyanja (Chichewa)pogona
In the Tumbuka language, "pogona" means "house".
Shonapokugara
The word pokugara can also refer to a temporary or makeshift shelter.
Somaligabbaad
Somali 'gabbaad,' meaning 'shelter,' is also used to mean 'a place of refuge' or 'a safe haven'.
Sesothobolulo
The word 'bolulo' may also refer to a 'tent' or a 'lean-to'.
Swahilimakao
The word "makao" in Swahili also means "a place to hide or be concealed".
Xhosaikhusi
The word 'ikhusi' can also refer to other forms of protection or safety, such as a shield, a fortress, or a safe place of refuge.
Yorubaibi aabo
The word is used to address a friend or relative as you would use the pronoun 'brother' in English.
Zuluindawo yokuhlala
The word "indawo yokuhlala" in Zulu can also refer to a place where animals live or to a place of refuge.
Bambarasiyɔrɔ
Ewebebeƒe
Kinyarwandaubuhungiro
Lingalaesika ya kobombana
Lugandaokweggama
Sepedimorithi
Twi (Akan)daberɛ

Shelter in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicمأوى
The word "مأوى" can also refer to a place where animals live, a place where people seek refuge, or a place where something is stored.
Hebrewמקלט
The word "מקלט" (/miklat/) in Hebrew can also refer to a 'sanctuary' or 'place of refuge'
Pashtoسرپناه
The Pashto word "سرپناه" can also refer to "a place of refuge" or "a safe haven".
Arabicمأوى
The word "مأوى" can also refer to a place where animals live, a place where people seek refuge, or a place where something is stored.

Shelter in Western European Languages

Albanianstrehë
The word "strehë" also means "roof" or "covering" in Albanian.
Basqueaterpea
In the Basque Country, 'aterpea' also means 'guest house,' and 'harrera-etxea' also means 'shelter'.
Catalanrefugi
The Catalan word "refugi" comes from the Latin "refugium" meaning "a place of refuge or safety", and it can also refer to a mountain hut or a building providing shelter for the homeless.
Croatianzaklon
The word "zaklon" ultimately derives from the Proto-Slavic word *klonъ, which also meant "to bow" or "to incline".
Danishly
The word "ly" can also mean "refuge" or "haven" in Danish.
Dutchonderdak
The word "onderdak" is derived from the Middle Dutch word "onderdac", meaning "roof" or "cover", and is related to the word "dek" (English "deck").
Englishshelter
In addition to its most common meaning, "shelter" derives from the same root as "shield" and can also mean protection, as in "finding shelter from the storm."
Frenchabri
Abri, from the Latin aperire, can also mean to reveal or open.
Frisianskûlplak
The word "skûlplak" is thought to derive from the Old Frisian word "skûle" meaning "hiding place" or "lair" and "plak" meaning "place".
Galicianabrigo
The word "abrigo" in Galician can also refer to a coat or a warm blanket.
Germanschutz
Schutz comes from the Middle High German schutzen, meaning "to protect" or "to cover".
Icelandicskjól
The Icelandic word "skjól" is related to the English word "shield" and ultimately derives from the Proto-Indo-European root "*skeu-", meaning "to cover".
Irishfoscadh
The Irish word 'foscadh' not only means 'shelter', but also 'protection', 'assistance', 'refuge' and 'sanctuary'.
Italianriparo
The word "riparo" also means "bank" in reference to a river and "shelter" in reference to a safe place.
Luxembourgishënnerdaach
Ënnerdaach can also refer to a porch, a canopy or a lean-to.
Maltesekenn
The word "kenn" in Maltese is derived from the Arabic word "kanā" meaning "to cover".
Norwegianhusly
The word "husly" is cognate with the English word "house" and originally referred to a small cottage or hut.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)abrigo
The word "abrigo" is related to the Latin verb "apricor", meaning "to open", due to its original purpose as wind-blocking enclosures.
Scots Gaelicfasgadh
The word "fasgadh" in Scots Gaelic can also mean "a refuge" or "a sanctuary".
Spanishabrigo
The word "abrigo" is derived from the Latin word "Apricus," meaning "open to the sun"}
Swedishskydd
Skydd also means 'shield' or 'protection' and is related to the German word 'Schutz'.
Welshlloches
The word "lloches" in Welsh comes from the same root as the Old English word "lock", meaning "an enclosure".

Shelter in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianпрытулак
The word "прытулак" is derived from the Proto-Slavic root *pritel-, meaning "to cover" or "to protect".
Bosniansklonište
Sklonište originates from the Proto-Slavic word *sklonъ, meaning 'slope' or 'protection'.
Bulgarianподслон
The word "подслон" in Bulgarian also refers to a type of military fortification.
Czechpřístřeší
The word "přístřeší" comes from the Old Czech word "přístřeh" meaning "refuge" or "hiding place."
Estonianpeavarju
The word "peavarju" is derived from the Proto-Finnic word "*peawər", meaning "head, roof".
Finnishsuojaa
"Suoja" is a loanword from Swedish, but also related to words like "hide" and "cloak" in English.
Hungarianmenedék
The word "menedék" also means "refuge" or "asylum".
Latvianpatversme
The word "patversme" is derived from the verb "patverties", meaning "to take shelter"}
Lithuanianpastogę
"Pastogę" (shelter) originates from the word "pastoti" (conceive), possibly due to the association between the protection of a shelter and the protection of a fetus.
Macedonianзасолниште
The word "засолниште" can also mean "a place where salt is stored".
Polishschron
"Schron" is derived from the German word "Schramm" meaning "gorge" or "cave". It can also refer to a hiding place or refuge.
Romanianadăpost
The Romanian word "adăpost" originates from the Slavic word *ob-ostati* meaning "to protect".
Russianубежище
The word "убежище" also means "refuge" or "asylum".
Serbianсклониште
"Склониште" can also mean "retreat" as in "safe retreat".
Slovakúkryt
The word "úkryt" in Slovak shares its etymology with the verb "ukryť" (hide), indicating a place or thing that conceals or protects from danger or observation.
Slovenianzavetje
The word "zavetje" can also refer to a refuge, asylum, or sanctuary.
Ukrainianпритулок
The word "притулок" comes from the Old Slavic word "pьrtъ", meaning "home", "dwelling", but it can also mean "refuge", "asylum" or "orphanage".

Shelter in South Asian Languages

Bengaliআশ্রয়
The word "আশ্রয়" also means "refuge" or "protection".
Gujaratiઆશ્રય
The word 'आश्रय' comes from the Sanskrit root 'shrī,' meaning to cover or protect.
Hindiआश्रय
The word 'आश्रय' comes from the Sanskrit root 'श्रि' (shri), meaning 'to cover or protect'.
Kannadaಆಶ್ರಯ
ಆಶ್ರಯ is a word that, in addition to its primary meaning, also means "a refuge" or "a retreat" in Kannada.
Malayalamഅഭയം
The word 'അഭയം' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'अभय' which means 'fearlessness' and can also refer to 'protection' or 'refuge'.
Marathiनिवारा
The word "निवारा" (nivārā) in Marathi is derived from the Sanskrit word "निवृत्त" (nivṛtta), meaning "cessation" or "release".
Nepaliआश्रय
The Nepali word "आश्रय" (shelter) is derived from the Sanskrit word "आश्रयति" meaning "to cover" and also refers to "spiritual protection" in a religious context.
Punjabiਪਨਾਹ
ਪਨਾਹ is ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-Iranian *pan- "to protect, praise" and means both "refuge" and "praise".
Sinhala (Sinhalese)නවාතැන්
The word "නවාතැන්" (shelter) in Sinhala (Sinhalese) is derived from the Pali word "navatthana" meaning "a place of rest".
Tamilதங்குமிடம்
The word "தங்குமிடம்" can also refer to a place where someone or something is kept safe or protected, such as a safe place to hide during a storm.
Teluguఆశ్రయం
The word 'ఆశ్రయం' can also mean a place of refuge or a place of protection.
Urduپناہ
The Urdu word "پناہ" (shelter) comes from the Sanskrit word "प्रणाश" (praṇaś), meaning "to save" or "to protect."

Shelter in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)庇护
庇护 (bìhù) also means to cover, protect, and harbor.
Chinese (Traditional)庇護
"庇護" (shelter) in Chinese (Traditional) also means "to protect" or "to cover".
Japaneseシェルター
シェルターは「掩体」を語源とする和製外来語で、英語の「シェルター」は「避難所」や「保護する」という意味もある。
Korean피난처
The word "피난처" can also mean "refuge" or "sanctuary".
Mongolianхоргодох байр
The Mongolian word "хоргодох байр" can be literally translated as "place for protection".
Myanmar (Burmese)အမိုးအကာ

Shelter in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianpenampungan
"Penampungan" can also mean "refuge" or "sanctuary".
Javanesepapan perlindungan
In Javanese, "papan perlindungan" also refers to a sacred altar area for offerings, providing spiritual protection.
Khmerទីជំរក
In the Khmer language, 'ទីជំរក' (pronounced 'tee-chorng') is derived from the word 'ជរ' (chor), meaning 'to shelter'; it can also refer to a hiding place or refuge for humans or animals.
Laoທີ່ພັກອາໄສ
Malaytempat perlindungan
The word "tempat perlindungan" is derived from the Malay words "tempat" (place) and "perlindungan" (protection). It can also refer to a safe haven or a place of refuge.
Thaiที่พักพิง
"ที่พักพิง" also refers to a "refugee camp" in Thai.
Vietnamesenơi trú ẩn
The word "nơi trú ẩn" literally means "a place to hide".
Filipino (Tagalog)kanlungan

Shelter in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanisığınacaq
"Sığınacaq" means "shelter" in Azerbaijani, originating from Persian "panahgah" (refuge, place of protection)
Kazakhбаспана
The word "баспана" comes from the Persian word "پناه", meaning "refuge" or "asylum".
Kyrgyzбаш калкалоочу жай
Tajikпаноҳгоҳ
Паноҳгоҳ translates literally to "refuge place" in Tajik and refers to any type of safe, protected, or sheltered place.
Turkmengaçybatalga
Uzbekboshpana
The word "boshpana" (shelter) originates from the Persian word "boshan" (dwelling).
Uyghurپاناھلىنىش ئورنى

Shelter in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianpuʻuhonua
The word "puʻuhonua" also means "place of refuge" and is often used to refer to a sanctuary or safe place.
Maoripiringa
Piringa is a Maori word that can also refer to a place or site.
Samoanfale
Fale can also refer to a traditional meeting house or chiefly residence.
Tagalog (Filipino)tirahan
The word 'tirahan' also means 'dwelling' or 'abode' in Tagalog.

Shelter in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarajark'aqasiwi
Guaranikañyrenda

Shelter in International Languages

Esperantoŝirmejo
Ŝirmejo is also Esperanto for "umbrella," which derives from the Proto-Indo-European root "*ḱer-", meaning "to cover" or "to protect."
Latintectumque
The word "tectum" originates from the root "teg" meaning "to cover," and is related to the words "tegere" ("to cover") and "tectum" ("roof").

Shelter in Others Languages

Greekκαταφύγιο
The word “καταφύγιο” (“shelter”) comes from the Greek verb “καταφεύγω” (“to flee for refuge”), which is a compound of “κατά” (“down”) and “φεύγω” (“to flee”).
Hmongchaw nyob
The origin of the Hmong word "chaw nyob" is unknown, but it is commonly substituted for the word "tsev" ("home" or "house").
Kurdishparastin
The word 'parastin' is also used to describe a person who provides shelter or protection.
Turkishbarınak
As well as shelter, "barınak" also means refuge, asylum, or sanctuary in Turkish.
Xhosaikhusi
The word 'ikhusi' can also refer to other forms of protection or safety, such as a shield, a fortress, or a safe place of refuge.
Yiddishבאַשיצן
The Yiddish word 'башицн' may originally come from the Polish word 'baszta', meaning 'bastion' or 'fortress'.
Zuluindawo yokuhlala
The word "indawo yokuhlala" in Zulu can also refer to a place where animals live or to a place of refuge.
Assameseআশ্ৰয়
Aymarajark'aqasiwi
Bhojpuriसहारा
Dhivehiހިޔާ
Dogriआसरमा
Filipino (Tagalog)kanlungan
Guaranikañyrenda
Ilocanolinong
Krioayd
Kurdish (Sorani)پەناگە
Maithiliशरणस्थली
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯂꯩꯐꯝ
Mizotawmhulna
Oromoda'oo
Odia (Oriya)ଆଶ୍ରୟ
Quechuapakakuna
Sanskritआश्रयः
Tatarприют
Tigrinyaመፅለሊ
Tsongavutumbelo

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