Expression in Different Languages
Discover 'Expression' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'expression' holds a significant place in our lives, as it is the way we communicate our thoughts, emotions, and ideas to the world. It is through expressions that we are able to connect with others, share our experiences, and understand different cultures. The importance of expressions cannot be overstated, as they are the building blocks of communication and language.
Throughout history, expressions have played a crucial role in shaping societies and cultures. From ancient cave paintings to modern-day emojis, expressions have evolved and adapted to the changing times, reflecting our values, beliefs, and aspirations. Moreover, the study of expressions in different languages can provide valuable insights into the cultural nuances and differences that make each language unique.
For instance, the German word 'Ausdruck' not only refers to an expression but also to the way an artwork or a piece of music can express emotions. Meanwhile, the French word 'expression' has a slightly different connotation, emphasizing the act of giving a verbal or written form to one's thoughts and feelings.
Below, you will find a list of translations of the word 'expression' in different languages, showcasing the richness and diversity of human language and culture.
Expression
Expression in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | uitdrukking | ||
| "Uitdrukking" is a loanword from Dutch and means anything from "facial expression" to "algebraic formula". | |||
| Amharic | አገላለጽ | ||
| The word 'agelelats' (expression) comes from the verb 'agelel' meaning to explain or describe something. | |||
| Hausa | magana | ||
| The word 'magana' in Hausa can also refer to a 'speech' or a 'statement'. | |||
| Igbo | ngosipụta | ||
| Ngosipụta is also used as a prefix meaning 'to give or distribute to everyone' or 'to circulate'. | |||
| Malagasy | teny | ||
| The word "teny" comes from the root word "tenta," which means "to speak," and can also refer to a saying or a proverb. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | kufotokoza | ||
| The word 'kufotokoza' is also used to mean 'to remove something by pulling it' or 'to pluck something' in Nyanja. | |||
| Shona | kutaura | ||
| Kutaura, as 'conversation' in English, implies an exchange of talk, rather than a one-sided verbalisation, in Shona. | |||
| Somali | muujinta | ||
| Sesotho | polelo | ||
| Swahili | kujieleza | ||
| Kujieleza (expression) literally means 'to explain oneself' and can also refer to the act of expressing oneself through one's thoughts, feelings, or actions. | |||
| Xhosa | intetho | ||
| The Xhosa word 'intetho' also means 'speech or language'. | |||
| Yoruba | ikosile | ||
| Ikosi also means 120, likely from its association with the market day system. | |||
| Zulu | isisho | ||
| Isizho also means 'shape' or 'figure' in Zulu, referring to the visual representation of something. | |||
| Bambara | kumasen | ||
| Ewe | nyagbɔgblɔ | ||
| Kinyarwanda | imvugo | ||
| Lingala | maloba | ||
| Luganda | endabika | ||
| Sepedi | tlhagišo | ||
| Twi (Akan) | asɛnka | ||
Expression in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | التعبير | ||
| The word "التعبير" (expression) also means "to give birth" in Arabic, implying the act of bringing something into existence. | |||
| Hebrew | ביטוי | ||
| "ביטוי" is an equivalent of English "phrase" or "utterance" and shares a common origin with the verb בוה - "to speak". | |||
| Pashto | څرګندنه | ||
| The word "څرګندنه" in Pashto also means "clarification" or "explanation". | |||
| Arabic | التعبير | ||
| The word "التعبير" (expression) also means "to give birth" in Arabic, implying the act of bringing something into existence. | |||
Expression in Western European Languages
| Albanian | shprehje | ||
| The word 'shprehje' in Albanian can also refer to a 'speech', 'saying' or a 'proverb'. | |||
| Basque | adierazpena | ||
| "Adi" expresses something outside, that is "out of" its source. | |||
| Catalan | expressió | ||
| In Catalan, "expressió" can also mean formula, or way of representing something in mathematics or algebra. | |||
| Croatian | izraz | ||
| The word 'izraz' is cognate with the German word 'Ausdruck', which has a similar meaning. | |||
| Danish | udtryk | ||
| The word 'udtryk' has similar roots to 'druck' in German, which means 'push' or 'press,' implying the act of 'pressing out' an idea, emotion, or thought. | |||
| Dutch | uitdrukking | ||
| "Uitdrukking" also has meanings such as "formula", "impression" or "print". | |||
| English | expression | ||
| The word 'expression' derives from the Latin 'expressio', meaning 'to press or drive out' and refers to both the act of communicating emotions and ideas and mathematical and scientific formulas. | |||
| French | expression | ||
| The word "expression" derives from the Latin "expressio", meaning "to press out" or "to squeeze out". | |||
| Frisian | útdrukking | ||
| "Útdrukking" is also used to mean "opinion". | |||
| Galician | expresión | ||
| The Galician word "expresión" also means "squeezing". | |||
| German | ausdruck | ||
| Besides "expression", "Ausdruck" can also denote "term" or "output" in mathematics and computing. | |||
| Icelandic | tjáning | ||
| The word "tjáning" in Icelandic originally meant "service" or "attendance". | |||
| Irish | léiriú | ||
| Italian | espressione | ||
| "Espressione" derives from Latin "expressio" meaning "to press out," hence its use in Italian to also mean "squeeze" or "juice." | |||
| Luxembourgish | ausdrock | ||
| The term "Ausdrock" is also used in Luxembourgish to refer to the act of expressing oneself in a clear and understandable manner. | |||
| Maltese | espressjoni | ||
| Maltese "espressjoni" is derived from Italian "espressione" (expression), from Latin "expressio" (squeezing out) | |||
| Norwegian | uttrykk | ||
| "Uttrykk" has a secondary meaning in Norwegian: "appearance". | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | expressão | ||
| Expressão in Portuguese can also mean | |||
| Scots Gaelic | faireachdainn | ||
| Spanish | expresión | ||
| In Spanish, "expresión" can also refer to facial or bodily movements that communicate emotions or thoughts. | |||
| Swedish | uttryck | ||
| The noun 'uttryck' is a cognate of 'uttryckning', which in Swedish refers to an emergency dispatch. | |||
| Welsh | mynegiant | ||
| The term "mynegiant" in Welsh can also refer to a type of riddle or enigmatic saying. | |||
Expression in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | выраз | ||
| "Выраз" is also used to mean "face" or "look" in Belarusian. | |||
| Bosnian | izraz | ||
| "Izraz" can mean "face" or "mien" in addition to "expression" or "phrase" in Bosnian. | |||
| Bulgarian | израз | ||
| В българския език думата „израз” се използва и за обозначение на декоративна керамична плочка, което идва от старославянската дума „изор”, означаваща „образ”. | |||
| Czech | výraz | ||
| The Czech word "výraz" can also mean "accent" or "emphasis". | |||
| Estonian | väljendus | ||
| The Estonian word "väljendus" also means a mathematical formula. | |||
| Finnish | ilmaisu | ||
| The word "ilmaisu" in Finnish can also mean "statement" or "declaration". | |||
| Hungarian | kifejezés | ||
| In botany, "kifejezés" can also refer to the appearance of plant organs. | |||
| Latvian | izteiksme | ||
| The Latvian word "izteiksme" (expression) comes from the verb "izteikt" (to express), which in turn comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *tek- (to run, to flow). | |||
| Lithuanian | išraiška | ||
| The word "išraiška" also means "formula" in mathematics. | |||
| Macedonian | изразување | ||
| The word "изразување" comes from the root "раз" which means "to express", and can also refer to a statement or opinion, or a facial expression. | |||
| Polish | wyrażenie | ||
| In Polish, 'wyrażenie' can colloquially mean 'curse word' or 'vulgarity' | |||
| Romanian | expresie | ||
| In Romanian, "expresie" also means "phrase" or "slogan" | |||
| Russian | выражение | ||
| The word "выражение" also means "phrase" and "formula". | |||
| Serbian | израз | ||
| The word "израз" can also mean "face" or "facial expression" in Serbian. | |||
| Slovak | výraz | ||
| Výraz can also mean 'accent' or 'mark' in Slovak. | |||
| Slovenian | izraz | ||
| The Slovenian word "izraz" also means "term" or "phrase". | |||
| Ukrainian | вираз | ||
| The word "вираз" is also used in Ukrainian to refer to an algebraic expression. | |||
Expression in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | অভিব্যক্তি | ||
| "অভিব্যক্তি" comes from the Sanskrit word "abhivyakti," meaning "manifestation," "display," or "appearance." | |||
| Gujarati | અભિવ્યક્તિ | ||
| Hindi | अभिव्यक्ति | ||
| The word 'abhivyakti' (अभिव्यक्ति) is derived from the Sanskrit root 'vibh' (विभ्) meaning to divide, and 'abhi' (अभि) meaning towards; hence 'abhivyakti' can also mean 'manifestation' or 'projection'. | |||
| Kannada | ಅಭಿವ್ಯಕ್ತಿ | ||
| Its root word 'vyakta' in Sanskrit means 'manifested' or 'expressed'. | |||
| Malayalam | പദപ്രയോഗം | ||
| The word "പദപ്രയോഗം" is derived from Sanskrit and means "usage of words". It also has a secondary meaning of "style of speaking or writing". | |||
| Marathi | अभिव्यक्ती | ||
| The Marathi word "अभिव्यक्ती" (expression) originated from the Sanskrit word "अभिव्यक्ति" (manifestation, appearance). | |||
| Nepali | अभिव्यक्ति | ||
| The word "अभिव्यक्ति" can also mean "manifestation" or "display" in Nepali. | |||
| Punjabi | ਸਮੀਕਰਨ | ||
| The word "ਸਮੀਕਰਨ" is derived from the Sanskrit word "समीकरण" (samikaraṇa), which means "making equal" or "leveling." | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | ප්රකාශනය | ||
| Tamil | வெளிப்பாடு | ||
| வெளிப்பாடு refers to "the act of expressing something" and also to a "way of thinking, acting, or speaking that makes someone or something recognisable". | |||
| Telugu | వ్యక్తీకరణ | ||
| Urdu | اظہار | ||
| The word "اظہار" can also mean "assertion" or "disclosure" in Urdu. | |||
Expression in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 表达 | ||
| 表达 (biǎodá) literally means "declare and express," and can also mean "state" or "manifest." | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 表達 | ||
| 表達 is also used to describe the act of expressing oneself through art, such as painting or music. | |||
| Japanese | 式 | ||
| "式" (shiki) in Japanese originally meant "ritual" or "ceremony". | |||
| Korean | 표현 | ||
| "표현" originally meant "to show" or "to display". | |||
| Mongolian | илэрхийлэл | ||
| Илэрхийлэл is derived from the verb илэрхийх, which means 'to express', 'to state', 'to make known'. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | စကားရပ် | ||
Expression in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | ekspresi | ||
| Ekspresi also means 'expression of emotion or feeling', 'an abstract idea put into a concrete form', and 'the act of expressing something'. In music, ekspresi is 'expression marks used to indicate a particular way of playing a piece of music'. | |||
| Javanese | ekspresi | ||
| The Javanese word "ekspresi" is also used to describe a person's facial expressions or emotions. | |||
| Khmer | ការបញ្ចេញមតិ | ||
| In English, ការបញ្ចេញមតិ has two other definitions besides “expression”: 1. The act of expressing or representing; 2. A formal statement, especially in writing, of opinion or intention. | |||
| Lao | ການສະແດງອອກ | ||
| Malay | ungkapan | ||
| The word "ungkapan" in Malay can also mean "utterance", "phrase", or "pronouncement". | |||
| Thai | นิพจน์ | ||
| The word "นิพจน์" can also refer to a mathematical equation or a grammatical phrase. | |||
| Vietnamese | biểu hiện | ||
| The Vietnamese word "biểu hiện" can also mean "symptom" or "appearance."} | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | pagpapahayag | ||
Expression in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | ifadə | ||
| İfadə can also refer to a statement or declaration. | |||
| Kazakh | өрнек | ||
| "Өрнек" can also refer to a pattern or sample in Kazakh. | |||
| Kyrgyz | экспрессия | ||
| In Kyrgyz, the word “экспрессия” can also refer to a form of folk art involving improvisational singing and dancing. | |||
| Tajik | ифода | ||
| In Dari and Tajik, the word "ифода" can also mean "statement" or "utterance". | |||
| Turkmen | aňlatma | ||
| Uzbek | ifoda | ||
| The word "ifoda" can also refer to the process of revealing or disclosing something. | |||
| Uyghur | ئىپادىلەش | ||
Expression in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | hōʻike manaʻo | ||
| The word "hoike mana'o" can also mean idea, thought, or opinion. | |||
| Maori | kīanga | ||
| In addition to "expression," "kīanga" also means "speech," "language," or "voice" in Māori. | |||
| Samoan | faʻaaliga | ||
| Faʻaaliga is an action or function in which meaning is expressed through something like language or art. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | ekspresyon | ||
| The Tagalog word "ekspresyon" also means "facial expression" and can refer to both emotions and physical features. | |||
Expression in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | arsuwi | ||
| Guarani | je'e | ||
Expression in International Languages
| Esperanto | esprimo | ||
| The Esperanto word "esprimo" is derived from the Latin word "expressio" and the proto-Indo-European root "*eks-pre-mo-", meaning "to press out". | |||
| Latin | expressio | ||
| The word "expressio" also means "pressure" in Latin. | |||
Expression in Others Languages
| Greek | έκφραση | ||
| The Greek word "έκφραση" (expression) is derived from the verb "εκφράζω" (to express), which in turn comes from the root "φράζω" (to speak, to tell). | |||
| Hmong | qhia | ||
| "Qhia" can also be used to mean "proclaim," "tell," or "to give a talk." | |||
| Kurdish | îfade | ||
| The word "îfade" can also mean testimony, disclosure, or performance in both Kurdish Sorani and Kurmanji languages, and utterance in Kurdish Sorani. | |||
| Turkish | ifade | ||
| In Ottoman Turkish, 'ifade' also meant 'statement' or 'declaration'. | |||
| Xhosa | intetho | ||
| The Xhosa word 'intetho' also means 'speech or language'. | |||
| Yiddish | אויסדרוק | ||
| Ausdruk derives from the German Ausdrück "impression" | |||
| Zulu | isisho | ||
| Isizho also means 'shape' or 'figure' in Zulu, referring to the visual representation of something. | |||
| Assamese | অভিব্যক্তি | ||
| Aymara | arsuwi | ||
| Bhojpuri | अभिव्यक्ति | ||
| Dhivehi | އެކްސްޕްރެޝަން | ||
| Dogri | तरजमानी | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | pagpapahayag | ||
| Guarani | je'e | ||
| Ilocano | panangibaga | ||
| Krio | tɔk | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | دەربڕین | ||
| Maithili | अभिव्यक्ति | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯐꯣꯡꯗꯣꯛꯄ | ||
| Mizo | tilangchhuak | ||
| Oromo | ibsa | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ଅଭିବ୍ୟକ୍ତି | ||
| Quechua | rimay | ||
| Sanskrit | अभिव्यक्ति | ||
| Tatar | белдерү | ||
| Tigrinya | ኣገላልፃ | ||
| Tsonga | tihlamusela | ||