Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'enjoy' holds a special place in our hearts and languages. It signifies the act of deriving pleasure, satisfaction, and happiness from an experience, activity, or thing. Its significance extends beyond personal fulfillment, as it often represents the very essence of cultural importance in various societies.
Throughout history, the concept of enjoyment has been intertwined with human experiences, from ancient Roman feasts to modern-day celebrations. Moreover, the word itself has been translated into numerous languages, reflecting the global appeal of the concept and the diversity of human cultures.
For instance, in Spanish, 'enjoy' translates to 'disfrutar,' while in French, it becomes 'jouir.' In Mandarin Chinese, the word takes on a unique character: 享受 (xiǎngshòu). These translations not only help us understand the word's significance in different languages but also offer a glimpse into the cultural contexts that shape their meanings.
In the following list, explore how the word 'enjoy' is translated across various languages and cultures. Delve into the richness of human expression and the beauty of linguistic diversity.
Afrikaans | geniet | ||
In French, the same root word as 'geniet' has the opposite meaning of 'annoy' or 'bother'. | |||
Amharic | ይደሰቱ | ||
"ይደሰቱ" also means to be comforted, delighted, and pleased. | |||
Hausa | ji dadin | ||
The word "ji dadin" in Hausa is a combination of the verb "ji" (to eat or partake) and the noun "dadin" (sweetness or enjoyment), implying that enjoying something is akin to savoring a sweet experience. | |||
Igbo | kporie | ||
"Kporie" is also used to describe the sensation of warmth or comfort and is related to the word "kpu," meaning "heat" | |||
Malagasy | ankafizo | ||
The word "ANANKAFOZO" means "to make beautiful" and is also used to mean "to enjoy" in Malagasy, as beauty is associated with pleasure and enjoyment. | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | sangalalani | ||
The word "sangalalani" in Nyanja is closely related to the word "sangalala," which means "to be happy". | |||
Shona | nakidzwa | ||
Somali | ku raaxayso | ||
Sesotho | natefeloa | ||
The word "natefeloa" can also mean "to be happy" or "to have a good time". | |||
Swahili | kufurahia | ||
"Kufurahia" may also mean to have fun. | |||
Xhosa | yonwabele | ||
In modern Xhosa 'Yonwabele' is used to represent the idea of general enjoyment, however in its traditional meaning, it signifies a deep and profound pleasure or delight. | |||
Yoruba | gbadun | ||
"Gbadun" in Yoruba also means "to possess" or "to have in one's possession". | |||
Zulu | ukujabulela | ||
The word "ukujabulela" in Zulu is derived from the root word "jabula," which means "to be happy" or "to rejoice." | |||
Bambara | tonɔmabɔ | ||
Ewe | kpɔ dzidzɔ nyuie | ||
Kinyarwanda | kwishimira | ||
Lingala | sepela | ||
Luganda | okunyumirwa | ||
Sepedi | ipshina | ||
Twi (Akan) | di dɛ | ||
Arabic | استمتع | ||
The word "استمتع" derives from the Arabic verb "متع" (enjoy) and has additional connotations of pleasure and satisfaction. | |||
Hebrew | תהנה | ||
The word "תהנה" can also be used to mean "have mercy on" someone. | |||
Pashto | خوند واخلئ | ||
خوند واخلئ is the Pashto word for "enjoying the fruits of one's labor." | |||
Arabic | استمتع | ||
The word "استمتع" derives from the Arabic verb "متع" (enjoy) and has additional connotations of pleasure and satisfaction. |
Albanian | shijoj | ||
The word "shijoj" derives from the Proto-Albanian "*si-ǵeǵō" and has the additional meaning of "experience, live through" | |||
Basque | gozatu | ||
The Basque word "gozatu" can also mean "to have fun" or "to take pleasure in something." | |||
Catalan | gaudir | ||
The verb "gaudir" derives from the Latin "gaudēre", meaning "to rejoice". The noun "goig" also derives from the Latin word, meaning "joy". | |||
Croatian | uživati | ||
"Uživati" in Croatian literally means "to experience with all of one's senses", but is more commonly understood as "to enjoy". | |||
Danish | god fornøjelse | ||
The Danish phrase "god fornøjelse" literally means "good joy". | |||
Dutch | genieten | ||
The word "genieten" is derived from the Old French word "joïr", meaning "to possess" or "to have pleasure from". | |||
English | enjoy | ||
The Old French word from which the English | |||
French | prendre plaisir | ||
The French verb "prendre plaisir" literally translates to "take pleasure" or "take delight," highlighting the active and intentional nature of enjoying something. | |||
Frisian | genietsje | ||
The Frisian word 'genietsje' (enjoy) possibly comes from the French 'jouir' (enjoy) or is related to the Dutch word 'genadig' (gracious). | |||
Galician | gozar | ||
In Galician, "gozar" can also mean "to possess" or "to have the use of something." | |||
German | genießen | ||
"Genießen" is not only about enjoyment, but also means to use up something. It can mean "to exploit" as well. | |||
Icelandic | njóttu | ||
The Icelandic word "njóttu" is cognate with the English verb "to know", both stemming from the Proto-Indo-European root *gneh₃- "to know, perceive". | |||
Irish | bain taitneamh as | ||
The Irish term 'bain taitneamh as' translates literally as 'take pleasure from' and emphasizes the active engagement in enjoying an activity or experience. | |||
Italian | godere | ||
Luxembourgish | genéissen | ||
The word "genéissen" comes from the Old French verb "joïr", meaning "to enjoy" or "to rejoice". | |||
Maltese | tgawdi | ||
The word "tgawdi" is derived from the Arabic word "tamatta" which means "to take joy in" or "to enjoy oneself". | |||
Norwegian | nyt | ||
Nyt is derived from the Old Norse verb | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | apreciar | ||
"Apreciar" is originally from the Latin word "appretiare," meaning "estimate the value of something or to value something." | |||
Scots Gaelic | gabh tlachd | ||
Spanish | disfrutar | ||
In the 17th century, 'disfrutar' was used with meanings like 'to acquire' or 'to obtain possession of something'. | |||
Swedish | njut av | ||
The verb 'njuta av' originates from the Old Swedish word 'niuta', meaning 'to use' or 'to utilize'. | |||
Welsh | mwynhau | ||
The word 'mwynhau' can also mean 'to profit' or 'to receive a benefit'. |
Belarusian | атрымліваць асалоду ад | ||
Bosnian | uživajte | ||
The word 'uživajte' in Bosnian is derived from the Proto-Slavic root *uzhi-ti*, which also means 'to live', 'to exist', 'to thrive'. | |||
Bulgarian | наслади се | ||
The word "наслади се" ('enjoy') in Bulgarian originally meant to "relieve thirst", possibly because drinking a refreshing beverage is an enjoyable experience | |||
Czech | užívat si | ||
The verb "užívat si" derives from the Old Czech "užívati", meaning "to make use of" or "to have". In modern Czech, it can also mean "to experience pleasure" or "to have fun". | |||
Estonian | naudi | ||
Originally, "naudi" meant "get" or "take", but it has since shifted to mean "use" and "enjoy". | |||
Finnish | nauttia | ||
"Nauttia" also means "to consume" in Finnish, as in "nauttia alkoholijuomia" (consume alcoholic drinks). | |||
Hungarian | élvezd | ||
The etymology of the Hungarian word "Élvezd" ("enjoy") comes from a Turkic language meaning "to obtain" or "to reach". | |||
Latvian | izbaudi | ||
This word can also mean 'get drunk' or 'get high'. | |||
Lithuanian | mėgautis | ||
The word "mėgautis" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *meǵh-, meaning "to be strong, to be mighty". | |||
Macedonian | уживајте | ||
The Macedonian word "уживајте" also means "live". It originates from the Old Church Slavonic word "жити" which has the same meaning and both forms still exist in contemporary literary Macedonian language, often interchangeably in poetry. | |||
Polish | cieszyć się | ||
The word "cieszyć się" also means "to rejoice" or "to be glad" in Polish. | |||
Romanian | bucură-te | ||
The word "bucură-te" is derived from the Latin "fructus" meaning "fruit" and shares its etymology with words like "fruitful" and "fruition" in English. | |||
Russian | наслаждаться | ||
The Russian word for 'enjoy' (наслаждаться) comes from the word 'pleasure' (наслаждение), which in turn comes from the Proto-Indo-European word *kand-, meaning 'to shine' or 'to glow'. | |||
Serbian | уживати | ||
Уживати can also mean "to use" or "to employ" in Serbian. | |||
Slovak | užite si to | ||
The Slovak word "Užite si to" can also mean "have fun" or "make the most of it." | |||
Slovenian | uživajte | ||
The word "uživajte" is derived from the Proto-Slavic root *ūžiti, which means "to use" or "to enjoy". | |||
Ukrainian | насолоджуватися | ||
The Ukrainian word "насолоджуватися" ultimately derives from the Old Church Slavonic word "сладость" meaning "sweetness", and is also related to the words "солод" (sweet) and "сладкий" (sweet). |
Bengali | উপভোগ করুন | ||
উপভোগ করুন is derived from the Sanskrit word 'उपभुज्' (upbhuj) meaning 'to eat or consume'. | |||
Gujarati | આનંદ | ||
The word "આનંદ" also refers to a state of bliss or happiness in Gujarati. | |||
Hindi | का आनंद लें | ||
The Hindi word "का आनंद लें" is derived from the Sanskrit word "आनन्द" (ānanda), which means "bliss" or "inner joy". | |||
Kannada | ಆನಂದಿಸಿ | ||
"ಆನಂದಿಸಿ" is derived from the Sanskrit word "ānanda" meaning "bliss" or "joy". | |||
Malayalam | ആസ്വദിക്കൂ | ||
Marathi | आनंद घ्या | ||
The Marathi word "आनंद घ्या" can also mean to be happy or rejoice. | |||
Nepali | रमाइलो गर्नुहोस् | ||
The word "रमाइलो गर्नुहोस्" comes from the Sanskrit word "रम" (rama), meaning "to please" or "to delight". | |||
Punjabi | ਅਨੰਦ ਲਓ | ||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | විනෝද වන්න | ||
This verb can also mean "to amuse" or "to entertain." | |||
Tamil | மகிழுங்கள் | ||
Telugu | ఆనందించండి | ||
Urdu | لطف اٹھائیں | ||
"لطف اٹھائیں" is an interesting example of a word, common on the Indian subcontinent, that means many things: enjoy oneself; gain an experience; reap a consequence; bear a loss." |
Chinese (Simplified) | 请享用 | ||
The phrase '请享用' literally means 'invite to enjoy,' highlighting the host's hospitality and respect for guests. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 請享用 | ||
The characters of '請享用' literally mean to 'invite you to taste', suggesting it was originally intended for use with food and drink. | |||
Japanese | 楽しい | ||
The word "楽しい" also means "pleasant" or "agreeable". | |||
Korean | 즐겨 | ||
즐겨 means not only “to enjoy” but also “to choose,” as in “I freely choose to do that.” | |||
Mongolian | эдлэх | ||
Myanmar (Burmese) | ပျော်တယ် | ||
Indonesian | nikmati | ||
"Nikmati" is derived from "nikmat" (delight) and may also mean "savor" or "relish". | |||
Javanese | seneng | ||
In Cirebonan, the word 'seneng' also means 'happy'. | |||
Khmer | រីករាយ | ||
"រីករាយ" also means "to grow". This is because the root word "រីក" means "to expand" or "to grow". | |||
Lao | ມ່ວນຊື່ນ | ||
While Lao "ມ່ວນຊື່ນ" primarily means "enjoy," it can also be used to express excitement or entertainment, akin to the English "thrilled" or "amused." | |||
Malay | nikmati | ||
The word 'nikmati' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'ni+gam', meaning 'to take or to experience', and can also refer to 'satisfaction' or 'pleasure' in Malay. | |||
Thai | สนุก | ||
It's an onomatopoeia derived from the sound produced when one's bones crack and can mean 'funny,' but the most popular way to use 'สนุก' today is to describe an activity one is enjoying. | |||
Vietnamese | thưởng thức | ||
The word "thưởng thức" also means "to savor" or "to appreciate" something. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | magsaya | ||
Azerbaijani | zövq alın | ||
The verb "zövq alın" in Azerbaijani not only means "to enjoy", but also "to have leisure time" or "to have fun". | |||
Kazakh | ләззат алу | ||
"Ləzzət" in Kazakh is derived from the Arabic word "ladhdha" meaning "taste" and metaphorically "pleasure" or "delight". | |||
Kyrgyz | ырахат алуу | ||
The Kyrgyz word "ырахат алуу" is derived from the Old Turkic word "ıra" meaning "good" or "beautiful". | |||
Tajik | лаззат бурдан | ||
The word "лаззат бурдан" in Tajik comes from the Persian word "لذت بردن", meaning "to take pleasure in" or "to enjoy oneself". | |||
Turkmen | lezzet al | ||
Uzbek | zavqlaning | ||
In Turkish, "zevklenmek" also means "to take pleasure in", similar to "zavqlaning" in Uzbek. | |||
Uyghur | ھۇزۇرلىنىڭ | ||
Hawaiian | nanea | ||
The word "nanea" in Hawaiian can also refer to a state of relaxation or contentment. | |||
Maori | pārekareka | ||
Pārekareka is also a term for 'to make someone feel good' or 'to please'. | |||
Samoan | fiafia | ||
The word 'fiafia' can also mean 'to make merry' or 'to have a good time'. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | mag-enjoy | ||
Mag-enjoy, which literally means "to make joy," also carries the sense of "to experience enjoyment" in Tagalog. |
Aymara | kusist'aña | ||
Guarani | hasaporã | ||
Esperanto | ĝui | ||
In Esperanto, "ĝui" also means "to have a treat or delicacy". | |||
Latin | fruor | ||
Fruor is also used in Latin to describe the type of possession that can be transferred from one person to another. |
Greek | απολαμβάνω | ||
The word "απολαμβάνω" originally meant "to receive a share" or "to partake in". | |||
Hmong | nyiam | ||
The word "nyiam" in Hmong is etymologically related to the word for "rice," and originally meant to eat or consume something. | |||
Kurdish | hizkirin | ||
The word "hizkirin" is cognate with the Persian word "hizkaran" and has a secondary meaning of "playing around". | |||
Turkish | zevk almak | ||
The Turkish word "zevk almak" literally translates to "taking taste", reflecting the idea that enjoyment is derived from sensory experiences. | |||
Xhosa | yonwabele | ||
In modern Xhosa 'Yonwabele' is used to represent the idea of general enjoyment, however in its traditional meaning, it signifies a deep and profound pleasure or delight. | |||
Yiddish | הנאה | ||
The Yiddish word "הנאה" also means "benefit" or "pleasure." | |||
Zulu | ukujabulela | ||
The word "ukujabulela" in Zulu is derived from the root word "jabula," which means "to be happy" or "to rejoice." | |||
Assamese | ফূৰ্তি কৰক | ||
Aymara | kusist'aña | ||
Bhojpuri | मजा | ||
Dhivehi | މަޖާ ކޮށްލާ | ||
Dogri | नंद | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | magsaya | ||
Guarani | hasaporã | ||
Ilocano | ganasen | ||
Krio | ɛnjɔy | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | چێژوەرگرتن | ||
Maithili | आनंद करु | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯅꯨꯡꯉꯥꯏꯌꯨ | ||
Mizo | hmang nuam | ||
Oromo | bashannani | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ଉପଭୋଗ କର | | ||
Quechua | kusirikuy | ||
Sanskrit | अनुभवतु | ||
Tatar | ләззәтләнегез | ||
Tigrinya | ኣስተማቅር | ||
Tsonga | tiphini | ||