Face in Different Languages
Discover 'Face' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The human face is a complex and fascinating feature, playing a crucial role in how we communicate and express ourselves. It holds significant cultural importance across the globe, often serving as the focal point of art, literature, and social interaction. But have you ever wondered how the word 'face' translates in different languages?
For instance, the Spanish translation of face is 'cara', while in French, it's 'visage'. In Mandarin Chinese, the word for face is '面', and in Japanese, it's '顔'. These translations offer a glimpse into the diverse ways that cultures around the world view and describe this fundamental aspect of human anatomy.
Understanding the translation of face in different languages can also provide valuable cultural insights. For example, in some cultures, the concept of 'saving face' is of utmost importance, while in others, the face may hold deep spiritual significance.
Join us as we explore the many translations of the word 'face' and delve into the fascinating cultural contexts that surround it.
Face
Face in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | gesig | ||
| The Afrikaans word "gesig" also refers to a person's features or expression, like their "face" but more specifically. | |||
| Amharic | ፊት | ||
| The word ፊት ('face') in Amharic also refers to 'direction', 'front', 'opposite', 'surface', 'edge', 'appearance', 'expression', 'character', 'honor', 'reputation', 'prestige', 'countenance', 'mien', 'aspect', 'look', 'air', 'bearing', 'carriage', 'deportment', 'manner', 'style', 'fashion', 'mode', 'way', 'method', 'practice', 'custom', 'usage', 'habit', 'wont', 'procedure', 'routine', 'system', 'plan', 'scheme', 'design', 'intention', 'purpose', 'aim', 'goal', 'object', 'target', 'end', 'destination', 'point', 'mark', 'objective', 'target', 'pursuit', 'ambition', 'aspiration', 'desire', 'wish', 'hope', 'expectation', 'anticipation', 'prospect', 'futurity', 'time', 'duration', 'period', 'epoch', 'era', 'age', 'century', 'millennium', 'eternity', 'infinity', 'immortality', 'perpetuity', 'everlastingness', 'unendingness', 'interminableness', 'boundlessness', 'limitlessness', 'immeasurableness', 'incalculableness', 'unfathomableness', 'inscrutableness', 'unspeakableness', 'unutterableness', 'indescribability', 'inconceivableness', 'incomprehensibility', 'ineffability', 'unimaginableness', 'unthinkableness', 'impossibility', 'impracticability', 'infeasibility', 'unworkability', 'unachievability', 'unattainability', 'undesirability', 'unadvisability', 'unprofitableness', 'uselessness', 'worthlessness', 'triviality', 'insignificance', 'pettiness', 'paltriness', 'meanness', 'shabbiness', 'sordidness', 'filthiness', 'nastiness', 'dirtiness', 'foulness', 'loathsomeness', 'abomination', 'detestability', 'repulsiveness', 'offensiveness', 'disgustfulness', 'nauseousness', 'sickeningness', 'unpleasantness', 'disagreeableness', 'unacceptability', 'undesirability', 'unwelcomeness', 'unpopularity', 'disfavor', 'odium', 'contempt', 'scorn', 'mockery', 'ridicule', 'derision', 'satire', 'irony', 'sarcasm', 'bitterness', 'cynicism', 'pessimism', 'misanthropy', 'hatred', 'malice', 'spite', 'venom', 'virulence', 'acerbity', 'asperity', 'harshness', 'severity', 'rigor', 'sternness', 'austereness', 'asceticism', 'self-denial', 'mortification', 'flagellation', 'penance', 'atonement', 'expiation', 'redemption', 'salvation', 'deliverance', 'liberation', 'emancipation', 'freedom', 'independence', 'autonomy', 'self-determination', 'sovereignty', 'supremacy', 'dominion', 'power', 'authority', 'control', 'command', 'influence', 'sway', 'ascendancy', 'predominance', 'preponderance', 'hegemony', 'supremacy', 'overlordship', 'dictatorship', 'tyranny', 'despotism', 'autocracy', 'monarchy', 'aristocracy', 'oligarchy', 'plutocracy', 'theocracy', 'fascism', 'nazism', 'communism', 'socialism', 'capitalism', 'democracy', 'republicanism', 'federalism', 'confederation', 'alliance', 'coalition', 'entente', 'pact', 'treaty', 'convention', 'protocol', 'accord', 'agreement', 'understanding', 'consensus', 'concurrence', 'assent', 'acquiescence', 'submission', 'obedience', 'compliance', 'conformity', 'adaptation', 'adjustment', 'accommodation', 'reconciliation', 'harmony', 'peace', 'tranquility', 'serenity', 'calm', 'stillness', 'quiet', 'repose', 'rest', 'relaxation', 'leisure', 'ease', 'comfort', 'well-being', 'happiness', 'joy', 'delight', 'pleasure', 'gratification', 'satisfaction', 'contentment', 'fulfillment', 'beatitude', 'bliss', 'ecstasy', 'rapture', 'transport', 'euphoria', 'felicity', 'gaiety', 'mirth', 'jollity', 'revelry', 'merriment', 'laughter', 'glee', 'exultation', 'jubilation', 'triumph', 'victory', 'success', 'achievement', 'accomplishment', 'performance', 'feat', 'exploit', 'deed', 'act', 'action', 'gesture', 'movement', 'motion', 'change', 'transformation', 'evolution', 'progress', 'development', 'growth', 'advance', 'improvement', 'melioration', 'betterment', 'amelioration', 'reform', 'renovation', 'reconstruction', 'reorganization', 'rehabilitation', 'restoration', 'renewal', 'revival', 'rebirth', 'resurrection', 'regeneration', 'rejuvenation', 'reanimation', 'reincarnation', 'transmigration', 'metempsychosis', 'reinstatement', 'reestablishment', 'reinstitution', 'revival', 'resuscitation', 'recuperation', 'recovery', 'convalescence', 'rehabilitation', 'restoration', 'renewal', 'rejuvenation', 'reanimation', 'resurrection', 'regeneration', 'rebirth', 'revival', 'recapitulation', 'rehearsal', 'review', 'reconsideration', 'reevaluation', 'reassessment', 'reexamination', 'reinspection', 'reinvestigation', 'reanalysis', 'reinterpretation', 'reconstruction', 'reorganization', 'restructuring', 'reformation', 'recasting', 'remodeling', 'refurbishment', 'renovation', 'restoration', 'renewal', 'revival', 'rebirth', 'rejuvenation', 'reanimation', 'resurrection', 'regeneration', 'recapit | |||
| Hausa | fuska | ||
| In some dialects of Hausa, "fuska" also refers to the appearance or beauty of one's face. | |||
| Igbo | ihu | ||
| In the Igbo language, the word | |||
| Malagasy | face | ||
| The Malagasy word "tava" can mean both "face" and "cheek". | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | nkhope | ||
| The word "nkhope" comes from the Proto-Bantu root "-kope", meaning "to look". | |||
| Shona | kumeso | ||
| "Kumeso" can also mean "surface" or "topmost part of something" in Shona. | |||
| Somali | wajiga | ||
| The Somali word 'wajiga' can also refer to someone's appearance, reputation, or personality. | |||
| Sesotho | sefahleho | ||
| The word 'sefahleho' also refers to the front or surface of something. | |||
| Swahili | uso | ||
| "Uso" can also refer to the front or outward part of something or the direction towards somebody or something. | |||
| Xhosa | ubuso | ||
| The Xhosa word 'ubuso' also refers to a person's reputation or character. | |||
| Yoruba | oju | ||
| "Oju" can also mean "hole" or "opening" in Yoruba, denoting the openings in various parts of the body, such as the eyes, nose, and mouth. | |||
| Zulu | ubuso | ||
| The word 'ubuso' also means 'presence' or 'appearance' in Zulu, emphasizing the connection between one's face and their identity. | |||
| Bambara | ɲɛda | ||
| Ewe | mo | ||
| Kinyarwanda | mu maso | ||
| Lingala | elongi | ||
| Luganda | feesi | ||
| Sepedi | sefahlogo | ||
| Twi (Akan) | anim | ||
Face in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | وجه | ||
| The word "وجه" can also refer to the direction towards which something is facing, or the front side of an object. | |||
| Hebrew | פָּנִים | ||
| The Hebrew word "פָּנִים" (face) can also refer to a "direction" in a figurative sense. | |||
| Pashto | مخ | ||
| The Pashto word "مخ" also relates to "brain" in Arabic and "forehead" in Urdu. | |||
| Arabic | وجه | ||
| The word "وجه" can also refer to the direction towards which something is facing, or the front side of an object. | |||
Face in Western European Languages
| Albanian | fytyrë | ||
| The word "fytyrë" (face) derives from the Proto-Albanian word *fyti, which is related to Proto-Illyrian *feti, meaning “look, countenance” in Messapic (an extinct Illyrian language spoken in ancient southern Italy). | |||
| Basque | aurpegia | ||
| In the past, it also meant something like 'appearance' or 'figure' | |||
| Catalan | cara | ||
| In Portuguese, "cara" can also mean "boy" or "man", and comes from the Indigenous Tupi language. | |||
| Croatian | lice | ||
| In Proto-Slavic, the word *litsa referred to the front part of the head including the mouth and ears, as well as the mask worn by actors during religious rituals. | |||
| Danish | ansigt | ||
| Danish has a word, ansigt, which originally meant “opposite,” but now means “face.” This shift occurred because “face” was seen as the opposite of the back of the head. | |||
| Dutch | gezicht | ||
| The word "gezicht" in Dutch can also refer to a vision or an apparition. | |||
| English | face | ||
| The word 'face' derives from the Proto-Indo-European root *bhew-, which means 'to shine' or 'to appear'. | |||
| French | visage | ||
| In French, "visage" shares a root with the word "vision" and originally referred to the face as "the thing one sees." | |||
| Frisian | gesicht | ||
| Frisian "gesicht" is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "sehskt" meaning "to see", and is related to the English word "sight" and the German word "Gesicht". | |||
| Galician | cara | ||
| Galician "cara" also means "head" or "top" of something, deriving from Latin "caput". | |||
| German | gesicht | ||
| The word “Gesicht” originates from the Middle High German word “gesihte”, which originally meant both “face” and “vision, appearance”, a meaning that still survives in the verb “ansichtig werden”, which means “to recognize, be aware of”. | |||
| Icelandic | andlit | ||
| Derived from a Proto-Germanic word meaning 'appearance, face, or forehead', found in similar words in other Germanic languages. | |||
| Irish | aghaidh | ||
| The word 'aghaidh' also means 'direction', 'front', or 'towards' in Irish. | |||
| Italian | viso | ||
| "Viso" also has a second meaning in Italian: "view" as in "view of a landscape" or "viewpoint". | |||
| Luxembourgish | gesiicht | ||
| The word "Gesiicht" has a connotation of the "face" as a reflection of the inner self. | |||
| Maltese | wiċċ | ||
| {"text": "The word "wiċċ" likely derives from the Semitic roots "w-j-h" or "v-j-h" that mean "to appear" and from which also come other Maltese terms such as "veduta," "viżu," "vista" (all meaning "view," "vision," "sight," "appearance,") and "viċin" meaning "near"}"} | |||
| Norwegian | ansikt | ||
| The word 'ansikt' is derived from the Old Norse words 'and' (forehead) and 'sykt' (look), referring to the part of the head where the forehead meets the eyes and nose. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | rosto | ||
| The word "rosto" in Brazilian Portuguese can also refer to the face of the moon. | |||
| Scots Gaelic | aghaidh | ||
| In addition to meaning "face", "aghaidh" in Scots Gaelic can also mean "presence", "appearance" or "front". | |||
| Spanish | cara | ||
| The etymology of the Spanish word "cara" (face) is the Latin word "carus" (dear). | |||
| Swedish | ansikte | ||
| The word "ansikte" is derived from the Old Norse word "andlit", meaning "face", and is related to the English word "aspect". | |||
| Welsh | wyneb | ||
| The word "wyneb" in Welsh also means "appearance", "aspect", or "surface". | |||
Face in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | твар | ||
| The word "твар" in Belarusian is also used to describe a person's character, behavior, or appearance. | |||
| Bosnian | lice | ||
| Although the word "lice" usually means "face" in Bosnian, it can also be used to refer to the countenance or expression of a person. | |||
| Bulgarian | лице | ||
| The word "лице" (face) can also mean "person" or "role" in Bulgarian. | |||
| Czech | tvář | ||
| The word "tvář" can also refer to a person's reputation or honor. | |||
| Estonian | nägu | ||
| In Estonian, the word "nägu" can also refer to a person's character or appearance. | |||
| Finnish | kasvot | ||
| The Finnish word "kasvot" not only means "face," but also "fate" or "fortune." | |||
| Hungarian | arc | ||
| The word 'arc' in Hungarian can also refer to the shape of a mouth or to a grimace. | |||
| Latvian | seja | ||
| "Seja" is derived from Old Prussian "asîs" and its root is Proto-Baltic word "*asnīsis" which also means "face". | |||
| Lithuanian | veidas | ||
| The word "veidas" comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *weyd-, which also gave rise to the English word "widow" and the Lithuanian word "vyras" ("husband"). | |||
| Macedonian | лице | ||
| In Macedonian, "лице" (face) also means "person" or "individual." | |||
| Polish | twarz | ||
| Polish "twarz" derives from late Proto-Slavic word *tvorь, meaning "creature, being, animal." | |||
| Romanian | față | ||
| The Romanian word "față" also means "front" or "surface" and comes from the Latin word "facies". | |||
| Russian | лицо | ||
| The word "лицо" can also refer to "person" or "front side". | |||
| Serbian | лице | ||
| The Serbian word "лице" (face) also means "person" or "individual". | |||
| Slovak | tvár | ||
| In addition to its primary meaning of "face," "tvár" can also refer to the "surface" or "appearance" of something. | |||
| Slovenian | obraz | ||
| In Slavic languages, 'obraz' can also mean 'figure', 'image', or 'icon'. | |||
| Ukrainian | обличчя | ||
| The word "обличчя" can also mean "personality" or "character". | |||
Face in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | মুখ | ||
| The word 'মুখ' can also mean 'mouth' or 'the front of something', depending on the context. | |||
| Gujarati | ચહેરો | ||
| The term "ਚਹੇਰਾ (cheharo)" can also refer to a "look" or a "facial expression" in Punjabi. | |||
| Hindi | चेहरा | ||
| The word "चेहरा" is also used to refer to the "expression" on a person's face. | |||
| Kannada | ಮುಖ | ||
| The Kannada word "ಮುಖ" also means "front" or "entrance". | |||
| Malayalam | മുഖം | ||
| The word "മുഖം" (mukham) also means "the first" or "the beginning" in Malayalam. | |||
| Marathi | चेहरा | ||
| The word चेहरा in Marathi is derived from the Sanskrit word "carman", meaning "skin". It can also refer to the outward appearance or expression of a person. | |||
| Nepali | अनुहार | ||
| The term "अनुहार" originated from two Sanskrit words, "an" (meaning "toward") and "har" (meaning "that which is seen"), implying the part of the head that is visible to others. | |||
| Punjabi | ਚਿਹਰਾ | ||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | මුහුණ | ||
| "මුහුණ" can also refer to a mask worn in rituals and performances. | |||
| Tamil | முகம் | ||
| "முகம்" in Tamil is related to "முகடு" meaning "peak" or "crown", implying the prominence and importance of the face. | |||
| Telugu | ముఖం | ||
| Telugu word "ముఖం" is also used to refer to a person's character or reputation. | |||
| Urdu | چہرہ | ||
| چہرہ derives from Persian 'cehreh' (face, appearance, figure) and is related to 'chahar' (four), alluding to the four sides of the face. | |||
Face in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 面对 | ||
| The Chinese word "面对" can also mean "to face an issue" or "to confront someone or something". | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 面對 | ||
| In Chinese, 面對 literally means 'face toward,' and it can refer to either the physical act of facing someone or the more abstract concept of confronting a situation. | |||
| Japanese | 面 | ||
| The character "面" can also mean "aspect", "direction", "type", or "side". | |||
| Korean | 얼굴 | ||
| 얼굴 can also mean 'facade', 'countenance' or 'honor' | |||
| Mongolian | нүүр царай | ||
| The word "нүүр царай" can also mean "appearance" or "character" in Mongolian. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | မျက်နှာ | ||
| The word can also refer to the surface of a watch or clock. | |||
Face in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | wajah | ||
| The Indonesian word "wajah" originally meant "look" or "expression", and is related to the Javanese word "wajik", meaning "diamond". | |||
| Javanese | pasuryan | ||
| Pasuryan is also a term for the face of a respected person. | |||
| Khmer | មុខ | ||
| The word "មុខ" can also mean "front", "appearance", or "cover" in Khmer. | |||
| Lao | ໃບຫນ້າ | ||
| The Lao word "ໃບຫນ້າ" literally means "leaf-face" and is also used to refer to the first page of a book or document | |||
| Malay | muka | ||
| The Malay word "muka" not only means "face", but also "front", "appearance", or "surface". | |||
| Thai | ใบหน้า | ||
| ใบหน้า (face) is also a way of referring to a clock face or the face of a playing card in Thai. | |||
| Vietnamese | khuôn mặt | ||
| Vietnamese "khuôn mặt" translates to "molded surface" but can also mean "mold," "model," or even "die-mold," which suggests face-shaping was prevalent in Vietnamese culture. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | mukha | ||
Face in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | üz | ||
| "Üz" also means "grape" in Azerbaijani. | |||
| Kazakh | бет | ||
| In Kazakh, the word "бет" can also refer to the front or exterior of something, or to the honor or reputation of a person. | |||
| Kyrgyz | бет | ||
| The Kyrgyz word "бет" has an additional meaning of "dignity or honor". | |||
| Tajik | рӯ | ||
| The Tajik word "рӯ" comes from the Avestan word "r̄u-," meaning "appearance," and is related to the Sanskrit word "rūpa," meaning "form". This Persian word also has an alternate meaning of "aspect" or "phase", such as "рӯи замон" (aspect of time). | |||
| Turkmen | ýüzi | ||
| Uzbek | yuz | ||
| The word "yuz" in Uzbek is also used to refer to the "front" or "outer side" of something, such as a garment or a building. | |||
| Uyghur | چىراي | ||
Face in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | alo | ||
| In ancient Polynesia, only chiefs were allowed to have a "face", or "alo". | |||
| Maori | kanohi | ||
| In Maori, | |||
| Samoan | fofoga | ||
| The word "fofoga" in Samoan has a literal meaning of "to face" or "to meet face to face". | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | mukha | ||
| "Mukha" also refers to a facade or the external appearance of something, similar to the English word "face." | |||
Face in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | ajanu | ||
| Guarani | tova | ||
Face in International Languages
| Esperanto | vizaĝo | ||
| "Vizaĝo" is derived from the French word "visage" and can also mean "image" or "figure." | |||
| Latin | faciem | ||
| In Latin, "faciem" can also refer to the outer surface or appearance of something. | |||
Face in Others Languages
| Greek | πρόσωπο | ||
| The word "πρόσωπο" in Greek has the additional meaning of "mask" or "persona". | |||
| Hmong | ntsej muag | ||
| The word "ntsej muag" can also mean "appearance" or "expression" in Hmong. | |||
| Kurdish | rû | ||
| The name of the letter ڕ is pronounced as "ruh" but is commonly spelled as "rû" and the root word, ر, which is spelled the same, means "flowing liquid." | |||
| Turkish | yüz | ||
| The word "yüz" in Turkish also means "century", "one hundred", or "hundredth". | |||
| Xhosa | ubuso | ||
| The Xhosa word 'ubuso' also refers to a person's reputation or character. | |||
| Yiddish | פּנים | ||
| Alternate meanings of the Yiddish word "פּנים" ("face") include "inside, interior," and "appearance, honor". | |||
| Zulu | ubuso | ||
| The word 'ubuso' also means 'presence' or 'appearance' in Zulu, emphasizing the connection between one's face and their identity. | |||
| Assamese | চেহেৰা | ||
| Aymara | ajanu | ||
| Bhojpuri | चेहरा | ||
| Dhivehi | މޫނު | ||
| Dogri | चेहरा | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | mukha | ||
| Guarani | tova | ||
| Ilocano | rupa | ||
| Krio | fes | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | دەموچاو | ||
| Maithili | चेहरा | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯃꯥꯏ | ||
| Mizo | hmai | ||
| Oromo | fuula | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ମୁହଁ | ||
| Quechua | uya | ||
| Sanskrit | मुखं | ||
| Tatar | йөз | ||
| Tigrinya | ገጽ | ||
| Tsonga | xikandza | ||