Face in different languages

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

Afrikaansgesig
The Afrikaans word "gesig" also refers to a person's features or expression, like their "face" but more specifically.
Amharicፊት
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
Hausafuska
In some dialects of Hausa, "fuska" also refers to the appearance or beauty of one's face.
Igboihu
In the Igbo language, the word
Malagasyface
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".
Shonakumeso
"Kumeso" can also mean "surface" or "topmost part of something" in Shona.
Somaliwajiga
The Somali word 'wajiga' can also refer to someone's appearance, reputation, or personality.
Sesothosefahleho
The word 'sefahleho' also refers to the front or surface of something.
Swahiliuso
"Uso" can also refer to the front or outward part of something or the direction towards somebody or something.
Xhosaubuso
The Xhosa word 'ubuso' also refers to a person's reputation or character.
Yorubaoju
"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.
Zuluubuso
The word 'ubuso' also means 'presence' or 'appearance' in Zulu, emphasizing the connection between one's face and their identity.
Bambaraɲɛda
Ewemo
Kinyarwandamu maso
Lingalaelongi
Lugandafeesi
Sepedisefahlogo
Twi (Akan)anim

Face in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicوجه
The word "وجه" can also refer to the direction towards which something is facing, or the front side of an object.
Hebrewפָּנִים
The Hebrew word "פָּנִים" (face) can also refer to a "direction" in a figurative sense.
Pashtoمخ
The Pashto word "مخ" also relates to "brain" in Arabic and "forehead" in Urdu.
Arabicوجه
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

Albanianfytyrë
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).
Basqueaurpegia
In the past, it also meant something like 'appearance' or 'figure'
Catalancara
In Portuguese, "cara" can also mean "boy" or "man", and comes from the Indigenous Tupi language.
Croatianlice
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.
Danishansigt
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.
Dutchgezicht
The word "gezicht" in Dutch can also refer to a vision or an apparition.
Englishface
The word 'face' derives from the Proto-Indo-European root *bhew-, which means 'to shine' or 'to appear'.
Frenchvisage
In French, "visage" shares a root with the word "vision" and originally referred to the face as "the thing one sees."
Frisiangesicht
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".
Galiciancara
Galician "cara" also means "head" or "top" of something, deriving from Latin "caput".
Germangesicht
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”.
Icelandicandlit
Derived from a Proto-Germanic word meaning 'appearance, face, or forehead', found in similar words in other Germanic languages.
Irishaghaidh
The word 'aghaidh' also means 'direction', 'front', or 'towards' in Irish.
Italianviso
"Viso" also has a second meaning in Italian: "view" as in "view of a landscape" or "viewpoint".
Luxembourgishgesiicht
The word "Gesiicht" has a connotation of the "face" as a reflection of the inner self.
Maltesewiċċ
{"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"}"}
Norwegianansikt
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 Gaelicaghaidh
In addition to meaning "face", "aghaidh" in Scots Gaelic can also mean "presence", "appearance" or "front".
Spanishcara
The etymology of the Spanish word "cara" (face) is the Latin word "carus" (dear).
Swedishansikte
The word "ansikte" is derived from the Old Norse word "andlit", meaning "face", and is related to the English word "aspect".
Welshwyneb
The word "wyneb" in Welsh also means "appearance", "aspect", or "surface".

Face in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianтвар
The word "твар" in Belarusian is also used to describe a person's character, behavior, or appearance.
Bosnianlice
Although the word "lice" usually means "face" in Bosnian, it can also be used to refer to the countenance or expression of a person.
Bulgarianлице
The word "лице" (face) can also mean "person" or "role" in Bulgarian.
Czechtvář
The word "tvář" can also refer to a person's reputation or honor.
Estoniannägu
In Estonian, the word "nägu" can also refer to a person's character or appearance.
Finnishkasvot
The Finnish word "kasvot" not only means "face," but also "fate" or "fortune."
Hungarianarc
The word 'arc' in Hungarian can also refer to the shape of a mouth or to a grimace.
Latvianseja
"Seja" is derived from Old Prussian "asîs" and its root is Proto-Baltic word "*asnīsis" which also means "face".
Lithuanianveidas
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").
Macedonianлице
In Macedonian, "лице" (face) also means "person" or "individual."
Polishtwarz
Polish "twarz" derives from late Proto-Slavic word *tvorь, meaning "creature, being, animal."
Romanianfață
The Romanian word "față" also means "front" or "surface" and comes from the Latin word "facies".
Russianлицо
The word "лицо" can also refer to "person" or "front side".
Serbianлице
The Serbian word "лице" (face) also means "person" or "individual".
Slovaktvár
In addition to its primary meaning of "face," "tvár" can also refer to the "surface" or "appearance" of something.
Slovenianobraz
In Slavic languages, 'obraz' can also mean 'figure', 'image', or 'icon'.
Ukrainianобличчя
The word "обличчя" can also mean "personality" or "character".

Face in South Asian Languages

Bengaliমুখ
The word 'মুখ' can also mean 'mouth' or 'the front of something', depending on the context.
Gujaratiચહેરો
The term "ਚਹੇਰਾ (cheharo)" can also refer to a "look" or a "facial expression" in Punjabi.
Hindiचेहरा
The word "चेहरा" is also used to refer to the "expression" on a person's face.
Kannadaಮುಖ
The Kannada word "ಮುಖ" also means "front" or "entrance".
Malayalamമുഖം
The word "മുഖം" (mukham) also means "the first" or "the beginning" in Malayalam.
Marathiचेहरा
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.
Nepaliअनुहार
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.
Punjabiਚਿਹਰਾ
Sinhala (Sinhalese)මුහුණ
"මුහුණ" can also refer to a mask worn in rituals and performances.
Tamilமுகம்
"முகம்" in Tamil is related to "முகடு" meaning "peak" or "crown", implying the prominence and importance of the face.
Teluguముఖం
Telugu word "ముఖం" is also used to refer to a person's character or reputation.
Urduچہرہ
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".
Korean얼굴
얼굴 can also mean 'facade', 'countenance' or 'honor'
Mongolianнүүр 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

Indonesianwajah
The Indonesian word "wajah" originally meant "look" or "expression", and is related to the Javanese word "wajik", meaning "diamond".
Javanesepasuryan
Pasuryan is also a term for the face of a respected person.
Khmerមុខ
The word "មុខ" can also mean "front", "appearance", or "cover" in Khmer.
Laoໃບຫນ້າ
The Lao word "ໃບຫນ້າ" literally means "leaf-face" and is also used to refer to the first page of a book or document
Malaymuka
The Malay word "muka" not only means "face", but also "front", "appearance", or "surface".
Thaiใบหน้า
ใบหน้า (face) is also a way of referring to a clock face or the face of a playing card in Thai.
Vietnamesekhuôn 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

Azerbaijaniüz
"Üz" also means "grape" in Azerbaijani.
Kazakhбет
In Kazakh, the word "бет" can also refer to the front or exterior of something, or to the honor or reputation of a person.
Kyrgyzбет
The Kyrgyz word "бет" has an additional meaning of "dignity or honor".
Tajikрӯ
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).
Turkmenýüzi
Uzbekyuz
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.
Uyghurچىراي

Face in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianalo
In ancient Polynesia, only chiefs were allowed to have a "face", or "alo".
Maorikanohi
In Maori,
Samoanfofoga
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

Aymaraajanu
Guaranitova

Face in International Languages

Esperantovizaĝo
"Vizaĝo" is derived from the French word "visage" and can also mean "image" or "figure."
Latinfaciem
In Latin, "faciem" can also refer to the outer surface or appearance of something.

Face in Others Languages

Greekπρόσωπο
The word "πρόσωπο" in Greek has the additional meaning of "mask" or "persona".
Hmongntsej muag
The word "ntsej muag" can also mean "appearance" or "expression" in Hmong.
Kurdishrû
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."
Turkishyüz
The word "yüz" in Turkish also means "century", "one hundred", or "hundredth".
Xhosaubuso
The Xhosa word 'ubuso' also refers to a person's reputation or character.
Yiddishפּנים
Alternate meanings of the Yiddish word "פּנים" ("face") include "inside, interior," and "appearance, honor".
Zuluubuso
The word 'ubuso' also means 'presence' or 'appearance' in Zulu, emphasizing the connection between one's face and their identity.
Assameseচেহেৰা
Aymaraajanu
Bhojpuriचेहरा
Dhivehiމޫނު
Dogriचेहरा
Filipino (Tagalog)mukha
Guaranitova
Ilocanorupa
Kriofes
Kurdish (Sorani)دەموچاو
Maithiliचेहरा
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯃꯥꯏ
Mizohmai
Oromofuula
Odia (Oriya)ମୁହଁ
Quechuauya
Sanskritमुखं
Tatarйөз
Tigrinyaገጽ
Tsongaxikandza

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