Updated on March 6, 2024
The concept of 'exchange' transcends mere transactions between parties, embedding itself deeply within the fabric of human culture and interaction. This notion has shaped economies, fostered international relationships, and facilitated cultural interminglings throughout history. Understanding 'exchange' in different languages not only unveils the linguistic diversity of our world but also highlights the universal importance of giving, receiving, and trading ideas, goods, and services across cultures. From the bustling markets of ancient civilizations to today's digital trading platforms, the act of exchange has been central to development and connectivity. Historical contexts add layers of meaning; for instance, the Latin 'commercium' not only means trade but also social intercourse, demonstrating the word's broad social significance. Knowing how to say 'exchange' in various languages—like 'Intercambio' in Spanish, 'Échange' in French, or 'Austausch' in German—opens doors to richer global interactions and understanding.
Below are more translations of 'exchange' that cater to the linguistically curious and culturally minded individuals eager to explore this concept's global resonance.
Afrikaans | ruil | ||
The Afrikaans word 'ruil' is derived from the Dutch word 'ruilen', which also means 'to exchange'. | |||
Amharic | መለዋወጥ | ||
Hausa | musayar | ||
The word 'musayar' is derived from the Arabic word 'musawarah' which means 'consultation' or 'discussion'. | |||
Igbo | mgbanwe | ||
Mgbanwe is derived from the Igbo words | |||
Malagasy | fifanakalozan | ||
The word "fifanakalozan" also means "to exchange words" or "to have a conversation". | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | kusinthana | ||
"Kusinthana" is an exchange of things or ideas, and it can also refer to the process of getting married. | |||
Shona | exchange | ||
In Shona, "exchange" can also refer to a place where goods are swapped or traded. | |||
Somali | sarrifka | ||
The word "sarrifka" in Somali originates from the Arabic word "sarf", meaning "to change" or "to exchange". | |||
Sesotho | phapanyetsano | ||
The Sesotho word "phapanyetsano" is also used in a more abstract sense to refer to the "exchange of ideas". | |||
Swahili | kubadilishana | ||
The word "kubadilishana" is also used to mean "to swap" or "to trade". | |||
Xhosa | utshintshiselwano | ||
"Utshintshiselwano" is also used to describe the process of passing something between two objects, such as when receiving a baton in a relay race. | |||
Yoruba | paṣipaarọ | ||
The word "paṣipaarọ" in Yoruba derives from the verb "paṣẹ," meaning "to order or ask," and is also often used to mean "bargain" or "negotiation." | |||
Zulu | ukushintshanisa | ||
The term "ukushintshanisa" stems from the verb "shintsha," meaning "to alter, change, or switch." It carries a broader sense of transformation and exchange, including ideas, opinions, or favors. | |||
Bambara | ka falen | ||
Ewe | ɖɔli | ||
Kinyarwanda | guhana | ||
Lingala | kobongola | ||
Luganda | okufaanyisa | ||
Sepedi | phetošo | ||
Twi (Akan) | sesa | ||
Arabic | تبادل | ||
The word is also used in the context of currency and economics to denote the process of trading or exchanging one currency for another | |||
Hebrew | לְהַחלִיף | ||
The Hebrew word "לְהַחלִיף" can also mean "to change" or "to replace". | |||
Pashto | بدلول | ||
The word "بدلول" also means "trading" and "negotiation" in Pashto. | |||
Arabic | تبادل | ||
The word is also used in the context of currency and economics to denote the process of trading or exchanging one currency for another |
Albanian | shkëmbim | ||
Albanian "shkëmbim" from "shkëmb" meaning rock, stone or cliff, thus, sharing "exchange" with languages like Irish "scamhail". | |||
Basque | trukea | ||
Trukea is a Basque word that can also refer to a marketplace or swap meet, highlighting its connection to the idea of exchanging goods. | |||
Catalan | intercanvi | ||
The Catalan word "intercanvi" is derived from the Latin "intercambium", meaning "a mutual exchange". | |||
Croatian | razmjena | ||
The word 'razmjena' originates from the Proto-Slavic word 'měnьati', meaning 'to alter' or 'to change'. | |||
Danish | udveksling | ||
Udveksling is also the word used for the act of swapping, or changing one thing for another in Danish. | |||
Dutch | uitwisseling | ||
The Dutch word "uitwisseling" derives from the Middle Dutch "utwisselinghe", originally meaning "a weighing-out". | |||
English | exchange | ||
The word "exchange" originally referred to a physical place where money was exchanged, and it still has this meaning today, especially in the context of foreign currency exchange. | |||
French | échange | ||
Échange is derived from the Greek word “kambion,” which means “exchange.” It also refers to a type of marriage contract in which the husband and wife each contribute equally to the household. | |||
Frisian | útwikseling | ||
"Útwikseling" is cognate with the Dutch "uitwisseling", but in Frisian it also refers to a meeting place for youth. | |||
Galician | intercambio | ||
The word "intercambio" in Galician also refers to the interchange of opinions or views. | |||
German | austausch- | ||
The word "Austausch" is also used figuratively to describe the communication or transfer of ideas and information. | |||
Icelandic | skipti | ||
The Icelandic word "skipti" has Proto-Indo-European roots with cognates found in other Germanic languages, such as "shift" in English. | |||
Irish | malartú | ||
Italian | scambio | ||
Scambio, from Latin 'excambiare', also means 'mistake' in Italian. | |||
Luxembourgish | tauschen | ||
The word "tauschen" in Luxembourgish can also mean "to barter, trade, or swap". | |||
Maltese | skambju | ||
The word 'skambju' can also refer to a 'switch' or 'turn', as in a game. | |||
Norwegian | utveksling | ||
"Utveksling" is cognate with the Swedish "utväxling" and Danish "udveksling" and has the same meaning. | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | troca | ||
In Portuguese, "troca" also means barter, substitution, switch, alternation, or permutation. | |||
Scots Gaelic | iomlaid | ||
The noun and verb `iomlaid` mean 'exchange' but the verb `iomlaid` was also used to mean 'transfer, change, or alter'. | |||
Spanish | intercambiar | ||
The verb "intercambiar" comes from the Latin inter (among or between) and cambiare (to change). | |||
Swedish | utbyta | ||
Utbyta, meaning exchange, can also be translated as 'out-byta,' indicating that it is a process of taking something out and replacing it with something else. | |||
Welsh | cyfnewid | ||
In Welsh, 'cyfnewid' derives from the Proto-Celtic root *komben, meaning 'to unite, join, and exchange'. |
Belarusian | абмен | ||
The Belarusian word "абмен" (exchange) comes from the Proto-Slavic word "obmĕnъ", which also means "change" or "replacement." | |||
Bosnian | razmjena | ||
The Bosnian word "razmjena" can also refer to the process of exchanging money. | |||
Bulgarian | обмен | ||
The word "обмен" can also mean "metabolism" in Bulgarian. | |||
Czech | výměna | ||
"Výměna" also means "barter" or "swap" and derives from the verb "vyměnit" ("to exchange"), which is ultimately derived from the Proto-Slavic word *měniti ("to change"). | |||
Estonian | vahetada | ||
Vahetada (exchange) also refers to switching gear gears in a transmission in Estonian. | |||
Finnish | vaihto | ||
"Vaihto" is a Finnish word that can also mean a substitute, spare, or exchange rate. | |||
Hungarian | csere | ||
Csere (exchange) also means the act of peeling or skinning. | |||
Latvian | apmaiņa | ||
In linguistics, apmaiņa can refer to the process of exchanging or replacing one word or phrase with another, resulting in a change in meaning. | |||
Lithuanian | mainai | ||
The word "mainai" in Lithuanian has cognates in most Baltic languages, and possibly even in Slavic languages | |||
Macedonian | размена | ||
In Bulgarian, "размена" also means "divorce" or "separation" | |||
Polish | wymieniać się | ||
The word "Wymieniać się" in Polish is also used to describe the act of exchanging information or opinions. | |||
Romanian | schimb valutar | ||
The Romanian word for "exchange" is "schimb valutar," with valutar deriving from French or Italian "valutaire" or Latin "valuta" (currency). | |||
Russian | обмен | ||
"Обмен" derives from the ancient root "мен", related to change, and can also refer to metabolism or the rotation of crops. | |||
Serbian | размена | ||
In Serbian, "размена" can also mean "exchange of fire" or "exchange of views". | |||
Slovak | výmena | ||
The word "výmena" also means "interchange" and "replacement" in Slovak. | |||
Slovenian | izmenjava | ||
The word "izmenjava" also means "treason" in Croatian and Serbian. | |||
Ukrainian | обмін | ||
In Ukrainian, "обмін" can also refer to metabolism, while in Russian it can mean "money changer". |
Bengali | বিনিময় | ||
বিনিময় शब्दটি संस्कृत व्यनिमय 'বিনিময়' থেকে এসেছে, যার অর্থ 'একটির পরিবর্তে অন্য কিছু দেওয়া'। | |||
Gujarati | વિનિમય | ||
The term 'વિનિમય' (exchange) in Gujarati also refers to a financial transaction. | |||
Hindi | अदला बदली | ||
'Adla badli' is also used to refer to a barter system where goods and services are exchanged without the use of money. | |||
Kannada | ವಿನಿಮಯ | ||
The word 'ವಿನಿಮಯ' also means 'swapping' and is derived from the Sanskrit root 'nimaya', meaning 'to exchange'. | |||
Malayalam | കൈമാറ്റം | ||
The Malayalam word "കൈമാറ്റം" also refers to a ritual exchange of gifts between families as part of a marriage alliance. | |||
Marathi | विनिमय | ||
विनिमय comes from Sanskrit 'vinimaya', which also means 'to buy, sell or barter'. Thus, the term is often employed in the context of commerce and trade, indicating a transaction of commodities, goods or wealth for mutual benefit. | |||
Nepali | आदानप्रदान | ||
The term 'आदानप्रदान' is derived from Sanskrit, and it literally means 'to give and to take' or 'to exchange'. | |||
Punjabi | ਬਦਲੀ | ||
In the sense of 'being transferred', the Punjabi word 'ਬਦਲੀ' derives from the Persian 'badal', meaning 'change'. | |||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | හුවමාරුව | ||
Tamil | பரிமாற்றம் | ||
The Tamil word "பரிமாற்றம்" (exchange) can also refer to a transfer of ideas or knowledge. | |||
Telugu | మార్పిడి | ||
మార్పిడి (exchange) is derived from the Sanskrit word 'marpa', meaning 'to change' or 'to alter'. | |||
Urdu | تبادلہ | ||
The word "تبادلہ" is derived from the Arabic root "BDL", meaning "to exchange, barter, or trade." |
Chinese (Simplified) | 交换 | ||
In Chinese the word 交换 can also mean communication, negotiation, and handover. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 交換 | ||
交換 in this context refers to the process of exchanging currency or goods for something of equal value. | |||
Japanese | 両替 | ||
"両替" originally meant "to receive and change (a type of currency) for (another type of currency)". In other words, it meant to convert money into a different currency or denomination. | |||
Korean | 교환 | ||
The origin of "교환" is the Middle Chinese "k'âu-xjwân-g" or 12th-century "hò-xwân", where "k'âu-xuân" means "change, exchange, barter," and "hwân" means "return". | |||
Mongolian | солилцоо | ||
The word "солилцоо" also means "trading" in Mongolian. | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | လဲလှယ် | ||
Indonesian | bertukar | ||
The word "bertukar" also means "to give away" in Sundanese. | |||
Javanese | ijol-ijolan | ||
In Javanese, the word "ijol-ijolan" can also refer to the act of exchanging thoughts or ideas. | |||
Khmer | ការផ្លាស់ប្តូរ | ||
In its original form, ប្តូរ means simply 'to give and receive something in return' and thus may have applied to the giving of gifts, barter, or commercial exchange. | |||
Lao | ແລກປ່ຽນ | ||
The word “ແລກປ່ຽນ” can also refer to a type of trade in which goods or services are directly exchanged for other goods or services without the use of money, known as "barter" in English. | |||
Malay | pertukaran | ||
Pertukaran can also refer to a place where goods are exchanged, such as a market or a stock exchange. | |||
Thai | แลกเปลี่ยน | ||
แลกเปลี่ยน, 'to exchange' in Thai, derives from Sanskrit 'vyaparivarta' and Hindi-Urdu 'badlan'. | |||
Vietnamese | đổi | ||
"Đổi" also means "to return" and shares the same Chinese characters as "return" in other languages like Japanese (返す) and Chinese (交换). | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | palitan | ||
Azerbaijani | mübadilə | ||
In Azerbaijani, | |||
Kazakh | айырбастау | ||
Айырбас is a noun for "exchange", while айырбастау is the verbal noun for the process of exchanging something. | |||
Kyrgyz | алмашуу | ||
The word "алмашуу" can also refer to the exchange of ideas or opinions. | |||
Tajik | мубодила | ||
The word "мубодила" can also refer to the act of swapping or replacing something. | |||
Turkmen | alyş-çalyş | ||
Uzbek | almashish | ||
The word "almashish" is derived from a Persian word meaning "to give and take". | |||
Uyghur | ئالماشتۇرۇش | ||
Hawaiian | kūkaʻi | ||
The word "kūkaʻi" also means "to trade", "to interchange", and "to bargain" in Hawaiian. | |||
Maori | whakawhitinga | ||
Whakawhitinga literally means "to make a change" and can also mean "to transform" or "to convert". | |||
Samoan | fesuiaʻi | ||
The word 'fesuiaʻi' also means 'to trade' and is derived from the words 'fesi' (to give) and 'uaʻi' (to receive). | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | palitan | ||
The Tagalog word "palitan" (exchange) can also refer to the place where money is exchanged (exchange bureau). |
Aymara | chhalaqa | ||
Guarani | me'ẽjovái | ||
Esperanto | interŝanĝo | ||
Interŝanĝo derives from the Esperanto root 'ŝanĝi', meaning 'to change' or 'to swap'. In Esperanto it can also mean 'transformation', 'transition', or 'turnover'. | |||
Latin | commutationem | ||
Commutatio also means the exchange of property or services for other property or services as a legal method of extinguishing an obligation. |
Greek | ανταλλαγή | ||
From ἀντί / antí ('against') + ἀλλάσσω / állassō ('to change'). | |||
Hmong | txauv | ||
The word "txauv" also means "barter" when used in the context of trade. | |||
Kurdish | berdêl | ||
The Kurdish word 'berdêl' is also used in the context of a transaction or bargain. | |||
Turkish | değiş tokuş | ||
"Değiş tokuş" can also mean "barter" or "swap" in Turkish. | |||
Xhosa | utshintshiselwano | ||
"Utshintshiselwano" is also used to describe the process of passing something between two objects, such as when receiving a baton in a relay race. | |||
Yiddish | וועקסל | ||
In Yiddish, 'וועקסל' is of Middle High German origin referring to trade or dealing, as well as money exchange or a bill of exchange. | |||
Zulu | ukushintshanisa | ||
The term "ukushintshanisa" stems from the verb "shintsha," meaning "to alter, change, or switch." It carries a broader sense of transformation and exchange, including ideas, opinions, or favors. | |||
Assamese | বিনিময় | ||
Aymara | chhalaqa | ||
Bhojpuri | लेनदेन | ||
Dhivehi | އެކްސްޗޭންޖް | ||
Dogri | बदलना | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | palitan | ||
Guarani | me'ẽjovái | ||
Ilocano | panangisukat | ||
Krio | gi | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | ئالوگوڕ | ||
Maithili | अदला-बदली | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯂꯥꯟꯅꯕ | ||
Mizo | inthleng | ||
Oromo | waljijjiiruu | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ବିନିମୟ | ||
Quechua | qunakuy | ||
Sanskrit | विनिमयः | ||
Tatar | алмашу | ||
Tigrinya | ልውውጥ | ||
Tsonga | cincanisi | ||