Engine in Different Languages
Discover 'Engine' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'engine' holds immense significance in our modern world, powering everything from our cars and boats to our computers and power plants. At its core, an engine is a machine designed to convert energy into mechanical motion, and its cultural importance cannot be overstated. From the earliest steam engines that fueled the Industrial Revolution to the cutting-edge electric engines of today, engines have shaped the course of human history.
But did you know that the word 'engine' has fascinating translations in different languages? For example, in Spanish, 'engine' is 'motor,' while in German, it's 'Maschine.' In French, 'engine' is 'moteur,' and in Japanese, it's 'エンジン (enjin).' These translations not only offer insight into the linguistic diversity of our global community but also highlight the universal appeal of engines as a symbol of human ingenuity and progress.
So why might someone want to know the translation of 'engine' in different languages? Whether you're a language enthusiast, a world traveler, or a curious learner, understanding the nuances of this powerful word can open up new avenues of communication and cultural appreciation.
Engine
Engine in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | enjin | ||
| The Afrikaans word "enjin" comes from the Dutch word "engine" and can also refer to a locomotive or a human being with great strength or energy. | |||
| Amharic | ሞተር | ||
| The Amharic word "ሞተር" comes from the French word "moteur" as Amharic speakers interacted with French-speaking colonists in the 19th century. | |||
| Hausa | injin | ||
| Hausa injīn may also refer to a mill for grinding corn or grains. | |||
| Igbo | njin | ||
| In the Nsukka dialect, njin can also mean "the head of a group" or "the chief of a community." | |||
| Malagasy | maotera | ||
| Malagasy "maotera" comes from the French "moteur", cognate to English "motor", a device that "moves" machinery. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | injini | ||
| In the Nyanja (Chichewa) language, 'injini' can also refer to a motor vehicle (car) or a boat. | |||
| Shona | injini | ||
| The word 'injini' in Shona is most likely a loanword from the English word 'engine', but its direct origins are uncertain. | |||
| Somali | mishiinka | ||
| The word "mishiinka" in Somali has alternate meanings, such as "tool" or "instrument". | |||
| Sesotho | enjene | ||
| The word "enjene" is derived from "engine" in English and is also used in Sesotho slang to describe a person who is unreliable. | |||
| Swahili | injini | ||
| "Injini" also means "machine" or "device" in Swahili. | |||
| Xhosa | injini | ||
| Xhosa word 'injini' comes from the English word 'engine', but is also used to describe a 'clever person'. | |||
| Yoruba | enjini | ||
| "Enjini" in Yoruba also refers to the head, particularly in the context of respect or authority. | |||
| Zulu | injini | ||
| In Zulu, the word "injini" means both "engine" and "spirit". | |||
| Bambara | motɛrɛ | ||
| Ewe | mɔ | ||
| Kinyarwanda | moteri | ||
| Lingala | moteur | ||
| Luganda | yinjini | ||
| Sepedi | entšine | ||
| Twi (Akan) | engyin | ||
Engine in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | محرك | ||
| The word "محرك" in Arabic also means "a cause" or "a reason". | |||
| Hebrew | מנוע | ||
| The Hebrew word for "engine", מנוע, is rooted in the verb מָנַע (mana), meaning "to prevent" or "to hold back." | |||
| Pashto | انجن | ||
| The Pashto word "انجن" (engine) ultimately descends from the Latin word "ingenium" meaning "innate quality" or "natural ability". | |||
| Arabic | محرك | ||
| The word "محرك" in Arabic also means "a cause" or "a reason". | |||
Engine in Western European Languages
| Albanian | motor | ||
| In Albanian, the word “motor” can also refer to a type of musical instrument played by blowing air through a hole. | |||
| Basque | motorra | ||
| The word “motorra” (engine) is a hybrid Basque word derived from the Spanish words “motor” (engine) and “arro” (male). | |||
| Catalan | motor | ||
| The word "motor" in Catalan also means "motorcycle" with the same spelling and pronunciation. | |||
| Croatian | motor | ||
| "Motor" in Croatian derives from the Latin "motorem" meaning "to move", and also means "a person who prompts or incites someone to act". | |||
| Danish | motor | ||
| The word "motor" is derived from the Latin word "movere", which means "to move". | |||
| Dutch | motor | ||
| The Dutch word "motor" can also refer to a motorized vehicle, such as a motorcycle or a car. | |||
| English | engine | ||
| “Engine” derives from Greek “mechane” through Latin “ingenium,” originally referring to a clever invention or tool then specifically to a device with moving parts. | |||
| French | moteur | ||
| The French word "moteur" can also refer to a "driving force" or a "motivating factor". | |||
| Frisian | motor | ||
| The Frisian word "motor" originally meant "steam engine", but now also refers to "internal combustion engine". | |||
| Galician | motor | ||
| The Galician word "motor" can also mean "starter" or "trigger". | |||
| German | motor | ||
| In German, the word "Motor" can also refer to an electric motor or a combustion engine. | |||
| Icelandic | vél | ||
| The Icelandic word 'vél' is derived from the Old Norse 'véla', which means 'wheel' or 'machine' | |||
| Irish | inneall | ||
| The Irish word "inneall" also means "device" or "mechanism." | |||
| Italian | motore | ||
| The word "motore" in Italian comes from the Latin word "motor", which means "mover" or "source of motion." | |||
| Luxembourgish | motor | ||
| In Luxembourgish, the word "Motor" can also refer to a "motorcycle". | |||
| Maltese | magna | ||
| The Maltese word "magna" is derived from the Latin "machina" (machine) via the Italian "macchina". | |||
| Norwegian | motor | ||
| The Norwegian word "motor" can also refer to a device that rotates or moves something else, such as an electric motor or a motorboat engine. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | motor | ||
| The word 'motor' in Portuguese not only means 'engine', but also 'electric motor'. Additionally, it can refer to an individual who is responsible for driving the engine of a vehicle. | |||
| Scots Gaelic | einnsean | ||
| The word 'einnsean' is borrowed from English 'engine', however it can also refer to a locomotive, a water pump or a fire engine. | |||
| Spanish | motor | ||
| The Spanish word "motor" also means "motive", "reason", or "incentive". | |||
| Swedish | motor | ||
| In Swedish, 'motor' refers to both an engine and an electrical device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. | |||
| Welsh | injan | ||
| The word "injan" in Welsh can also refer to a machine, apparatus, or mechanism. | |||
Engine in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | рухавік | ||
| The word "рухавік" (engine) in Belarusian is derived from the Old Church Slavonic word "двиг", meaning "to move". | |||
| Bosnian | motor | ||
| The word 'motor' in Bosnian comes from the Latin word 'motor', meaning 'mover' or 'driving force'. | |||
| Bulgarian | двигател | ||
| The word "двигател" may also refer to a "motor" or "prime mover". | |||
| Czech | motor | ||
| In Czech, the word "motor" (engine) also means "electric motor", "starter motor", or "electric bike". | |||
| Estonian | mootor | ||
| The word "mootor" in Estonian is derived from the French "moteur" and the English "motor", both of which refer to a machine that produces mechanical power. | |||
| Finnish | moottori | ||
| The word "moottori" comes from the Swedish word "motor", which in turn comes from the Latin word "motor", meaning "mover". | |||
| Hungarian | motor | ||
| The Hungarian word "motor" can also refer to an electric motor, a small engine, or a motorcycle. | |||
| Latvian | dzinējs | ||
| The word "dzinējs" (engine) comes from the verb "dzīt" (to drive), which means that the engine drives the car forward. | |||
| Lithuanian | variklis | ||
| Derived from Polish "warkocz" which means "braid". | |||
| Macedonian | мотор | ||
| The word "мотор" can also refer to an electric motor or a drive motor. | |||
| Polish | silnik | ||
| Silnik comes from the German word "Sielen", meaning "to pull". | |||
| Romanian | motor | ||
| Motor is related to "moarte" (Romanian for "death") and derives from Latin "mors" (genitive "mortis") with the -tor ending, likely via Slavic or Hungarian. | |||
| Russian | двигатель | ||
| "Двигатель" is also used to describe the driving force behind something, such as progress or change. | |||
| Serbian | мотор | ||
| The word "мотор" comes from the French word "moteur" and also means "a person who causes or incites something, especially trouble or disorder" in Serbian. | |||
| Slovak | motor | ||
| The Slovak word "motor" can also mean "motorcyclist". | |||
| Slovenian | motor | ||
| The word "motor" in Slovenian can also refer to a person who operates a vehicle or machinery. | |||
| Ukrainian | двигуна | ||
| The word "двигуна" is derived from the Old Slavic root "dvigati", meaning "to move". | |||
Engine in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | ইঞ্জিন | ||
| মোটরযান বা অন্যান্য যন্ত্রের হৃদয়স্থল, ইউরোপীয় ভাষায় উদ্ভূত 'ইঞ্জিন' শব্দটির 'যন্ত্র' অর্থেও ব্যবহৃত হতে পারে। | |||
| Gujarati | એન્જિન | ||
| The word 'engine' originates from the Latin word 'ingenium,' which also means 'skill, ability,' or 'cleverness' | |||
| Hindi | यन्त्र | ||
| "यन्त्र" also means instrument, apparatus, or mechanism, and originates from the Sanskrit word "यम" (restrain, hold) and the suffix "त्र" (instrument), implying something that binds or regulates. | |||
| Kannada | ಎಂಜಿನ್ | ||
| The word "ಎಂಜಿನ್" comes from the French word "engin", which can also mean "device" or "mechanism". | |||
| Malayalam | എഞ്ചിൻ | ||
| The Malayalam word "എഞ്ചിൻ" (engine) comes from the English word "engine". | |||
| Marathi | इंजिन | ||
| The word "इंजिन" can also refer to a clever or resourceful person, or a person who is able to solve problems effectively. | |||
| Nepali | इन्जिन | ||
| The word 'इन्जिन' in Nepali, ultimately derived from Latin 'ingenium', also means 'intelligence', 'ability' and 'talent'. | |||
| Punjabi | ਇੰਜਣ | ||
| The word "इंजन" (engine) in Punjabi can also refer to a machine, a tool, or a device. | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | එන්ජිම | ||
| Tamil | இயந்திரம் | ||
| The Tamil word "இயந்திரம்" (engine) comes from the Sanskrit word "यन्त्र" (yantra), also meaning "engine" or "machine", which also has the alternate meanings "restraint", "limitation", or "restriction". | |||
| Telugu | ఇంజిన్ | ||
| The Telugu word "ఇంజిన్" (engine) originates from the Sanskrit word " यन्त्र " (machine), and has alternate meanings such as "mechanism" or "device"} | |||
| Urdu | انجن | ||
| The Urdu word "انجن" (engine) also means "a magical charm used to dispel jinns or spirits." | |||
Engine in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 发动机 | ||
| 发动机 is also used to refer to the brain, figuratively. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 發動機 | ||
| 發動機 (engine) in Chinese can also refer to a generator, a motor, or a motive force. | |||
| Japanese | エンジン | ||
| The word "エンジン" (engine) is a loanword from the English word "engine", which itself is derived from the Latin word "ingenium" (cleverness, ingenuity). | |||
| Korean | 엔진 | ||
| The word '엔진' (engine) in Korean is derived from the Middle English word 'engin', meaning 'a mechanical device or contrivance'. | |||
| Mongolian | хөдөлгүүр | ||
| The word "хөдөлгүүр" is also used to refer to the brain or to the driving force behind something. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | အင်ဂျင် | ||
| The word "အင်ဂျင်" in Myanmar is derived from the English word "engine" and can also refer to a "locomotive" or "steam engine". | |||
Engine in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | mesin | ||
| The word "mesin" comes from the Dutch word "machine" and can also refer to a mechanism or device. | |||
| Javanese | mesin | ||
| The Javanese word "mesin" is derived from the Dutch word "machine" which in turn is derived from the French word "machine" meaning "device" or "appliance." | |||
| Khmer | ម៉ាស៊ីន | ||
| The word "ម៉ាស៊ីន" is the result of adding a prefix to a French word. | |||
| Lao | ເຄື່ອງຈັກ | ||
| Malay | enjin | ||
| In Malay, the word 'enjin' also refers to the heart or mind, reflecting its dual role in powering both the physical and cognitive aspects of life. | |||
| Thai | เครื่องยนต์ | ||
| The word "เครื่องยนต์" in Thai originally meant "working tool" or "labor-saving device", but its meaning has since evolved to encompass any type of engine. | |||
| Vietnamese | động cơ | ||
| "Động cơ" may also mean "motive" or "intention" (as in "Động cơ của anh ta là gì?") in Vietnamese. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | makina | ||
Engine in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | mühərrik | ||
| The word "mühərrik" can also mean "initiator" or "motivator" in Azerbaijani. | |||
| Kazakh | қозғалтқыш | ||
| Қозғалтқыш, originally a verb, also has meanings of 'incentive' and 'stimulant' in Kazakh. | |||
| Kyrgyz | кыймылдаткыч | ||
| In Kyrgyz, | |||
| Tajik | муҳаррик | ||
| In Arabic, the word "muharrik" also means "mover" or "cause". | |||
| Turkmen | hereketlendiriji | ||
| Uzbek | dvigatel | ||
| The Uzbek word "dvigatel" can also refer to the heart as the "engine" of the body. | |||
| Uyghur | ماتور | ||
Engine in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | ʻenekini | ||
| Maori | pūkaha | ||
| Pūkaha derives from the verb 'pūkaha' ('to explode', 'to burst'). | |||
| Samoan | afi | ||
| In Samoan, afi can also mean 'hell', or 'fire' in an archaic sense. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | makina | ||
| The Tagalog word "makina" may come from the Spanish word "máquina" or the Japanese word "makina", both meaning "machine" | |||
Engine in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | mutura | ||
| Guarani | mba'eka | ||
Engine in International Languages
| Esperanto | motoro | ||
| The word "motoro" in Esperanto is derived from the French word "moteur", which means "engine" or "motor". | |||
| Latin | engine | ||
| The Latin word 'ingenium' also means 'innate ability' or 'natural talent'. | |||
Engine in Others Languages
| Greek | μηχανή | ||
| The word "μηχανή" in Greek can also mean "contrivance, device" or "plot (of a play)". | |||
| Hmong | cav | ||
| Hmong "cav" shares a root with the Thai word for "vehicle" but is also commonly used in the context of a "motor vehicle". | |||
| Kurdish | makîne | ||
| The Kurdish word "makîne" has a secondary meaning of "device" or "apparatus", similar to its English counterpart "engine". | |||
| Turkish | motor | ||
| In Turkish, "motor" (engine) can also refer to the electric motor used in trolleybuses, which is called "troleybüs motoru." | |||
| Xhosa | injini | ||
| Xhosa word 'injini' comes from the English word 'engine', but is also used to describe a 'clever person'. | |||
| Yiddish | מאָטאָר | ||
| The Yiddish word "מאָטאָר" originally referred to a "motorcycle" before it came to mean "engine" in general. | |||
| Zulu | injini | ||
| In Zulu, the word "injini" means both "engine" and "spirit". | |||
| Assamese | ইঞ্জিন | ||
| Aymara | mutura | ||
| Bhojpuri | इंजिन | ||
| Dhivehi | އިންޖީނު | ||
| Dogri | इंजन | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | makina | ||
| Guarani | mba'eka | ||
| Ilocano | makina | ||
| Krio | injin | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | بزوێنەر | ||
| Maithili | इंजन | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯏꯅꯖꯤꯟ | ||
| Mizo | khawl | ||
| Oromo | mootora | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ଇଞ୍ଜିନ୍ | ||
| Quechua | motor | ||
| Sanskrit | यन्त्र | ||
| Tatar | двигатель | ||
| Tigrinya | ሞተር | ||
| Tsonga | injhini | ||