Fan in different languages

Fan in Different Languages

Discover 'Fan' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'fan' holds a significant place in our daily lives, often representing our passions and interests. From sports to entertainment, fans are the driving force behind the energy and excitement that fuels our favorite pastimes. But did you know that the word 'fan' has been adopted by many cultures and languages around the world?

In Spanish, for example, the word for fan is 'ventilador,' which literally translates to 'air mover.' In French, it's 'ventilateur' as well, reflecting the language's similarities with Spanish. Meanwhile, in German, the word for fan is 'Ventilator,' which is almost identical to its English counterpart.

Understanding the translation of the word 'fan' in different languages can provide insight into the cultural nuances and linguistic differences that make each language unique. It can also help facilitate communication and connection with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

So, whether you're a sports fanatic, a music enthusiast, or simply curious about language and culture, exploring the translations of the word 'fan' is a fascinating journey that can lead to a greater appreciation for the world around us.

Fan


Fan in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaanswaaier
Despite sharing an origin with the English word "wafer," "waaier" also refers to a fan-like palm leaf in Afrikaans.
Amharicአድናቂ
The word "አድናቂ" also means "disciple" or "follower" in certain contexts.
Hausafan
In Hausa, "fan" can also refer to a broom, whisk, or the leaf of a fan palm.
Igboonye ofufe
The Igbo word "onye ofufe" literally translates to "one who moves air."
Malagasympankafy
"Mpankafy" is also used to refer to a group of people who share a common interest or goal.
Nyanja (Chichewa)zimakupiza
The word "zimakupiza" is also used informally to refer to the act of moving back and forth.
Shonafan
In Shona, the word "fan" can also mean "a person who is devoted to a particular activity or person" or "a group of people who share a common interest".
Somalitaageere
This word is also used metaphorically to mean 'supporter' (of a political party, sports team, etc.)
Sesothofene
"Fene" also means "to flutter" and derives from the Proto-Bantu word "*pun-kɔ, to blow on"
Swahilishabiki
The word "shabiki" in Swahili also means "one who supports" or "a follower".
Xhosafan
The Xhosa word "fan" can also mean "love" or "crush".
Yorubaalafẹfẹ
In Ijebu Yoruba, the word "alafẹfẹ" also means "the wind that blows".
Zulufan
In Zulu, "fan" refers not only to a device that generates air flow, but also to a type of bird.
Bambarafifalan
Ewepapa
Kinyarwandaumufana
Lingalaventilateur
Lugandaekiwujjo
Sepedimothekgi
Twi (Akan)papa

Fan in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicمعجب
The Arabic word "معجب" (fan) has the alternate meaning of "one who is arrogant and self-satisfied."
Hebrewאוהד
The word "אוהד" in Hebrew can share its root with the word "אוהד" meaning "to help" while also having the connotation of "loving" from the word "אהבה."
Pashtoفین
The Pashto word "فین" also means "wing" or "feather".
Arabicمعجب
The Arabic word "معجب" (fan) has the alternate meaning of "one who is arrogant and self-satisfied."

Fan in Western European Languages

Albaniantifoz
The word "tifoz" derives from Italian "tifosi" and was brought to Albania by Italian immigrants in the 20th century.
Basquezalea
The Basque word "zalea" is derived from the verb "zale" meaning to like or to be fond of, and is related to the word "zaila" meaning difficult or hard to please.
Catalanventilador
Catalan word "ventilador" is also used figuratively to mean a gossipy person.
Croatianventilator
The Croatian word ventilator (fan) comes from the Latin word ventilare, which means "to fan" or "to winnow."
Danishventilator
In Danish, "ventilator" refers to a mechanical device used for artificial respiration, while "fan" translates to "vifte" or "blæser".
Dutchventilator
In Dutch, "ventilator" can also mean a "respirator", a device that helps people breathe.
Englishfan
The word 'fan' initially described an object that served to cool or fan air, derived from the Latin word 'vannus' meaning 'winnowing basket'.
Frenchventilateur
The French word for fan, ventilateur comes from Latin and can also refer to something that provides fresh or cool breath, like a respirator
Frisianfan
The Frisian word "fan" is cognate with the English word "fang" and originally meant "to catch" or "to grip".
Galicianabanico
The Galician word "abanico" also means "window" and is related to the Spanish word "abanico" (fan) in both etymology and meaning.
Germanventilator
In German, "Ventilator" also means "respirator" in a medical context.
Icelandicaðdáandi
The Icelandic word 'aðdáandi' has its roots in the word 'aðdá,' which meant 'admiration' or 'adoration' in Old Norse.
Irishlucht leanúna
The word "lucht leanúna" also means "followers" or "supporters" in more general terms.
Italianfan
In Italian, "fan" can also mean "mud" or "slurry," derived from the Latin word "fannum."
Luxembourgishfan
The word "Fan" in Luxembourgish can also refer to the "van" of a car or truck.
Maltesefann
Fann is related to 'fin' in Dutch and German, and it used to mean 'fin' or 'tail' in Maltese.
Norwegianfan
In Norwegian, "fan" can also mean "devil".
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)ventilador
The word "ventilador" in Portuguese can also refer to a ventilator or respirator, a device used to assist breathing.
Scots Gaelicfan
The Scots Gaelic word "fan" is derived from "fanasg" or "fanas", both meaning "a shelter".
Spanishventilador
"Ventilador" means "fan" in Spanish, but it also means "ventilator" in the medical context.
Swedishfläkt
It is etymologically related to the German word "flackern" which means "to flicker" and the English word "flutter".
Welshffan
The word "ffan" can also refer to a "vane" or a "flag" in Welsh.

Fan in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianвентылятар
In Belarusian, the word "вентылятар" (fan) originated from the Latin word "ventus" (wind), implying the device's purpose of circulating air.
Bosnianventilator
In Bosnian, the word “ventilator” also refers to a device that provides mechanical ventilation to patients who cannot breathe on their own.
Bulgarianвентилатор
The word "вентилатор" in Bulgarian can also mean a "respirator" or "ventilator" in the medical sense.
Czechfanoušek
The word "fanoušek" is derived from the word "fanta" (phantasm) and originally referred to a person who was prone to daydreaming or idle chatter.
Estonianfänn
"Fänn" is also used to refer to a person who is enthusiastic about something, such as a hobby, activity, or sports team.
Finnishtuuletin
"Tuuletin" can also mean a "ventilator".
Hungarianventilátor
The Hungarian word "ventilátor" originally meant "wind wheel".
Latvianventilators
The Latvian word "ventilators" originates from the German "Ventilator" and has the same meaning in both languages.
Lithuanianventiliatorius
In Latin, "ventiliatorius" primarily refers to a fan or a winnowing fan used for separating grain from chaff.
Macedonianвентилатор
The word "вентилатор" is derived from the Latin word "ventus", meaning "wind". It can also refer to a type of musical instrument, such as an accordion.
Polishwentylator
Wentylator derives from Latin "ventus" (wind) or "ventilabrum" (winnowing fan).
Romanianventilator
The Romanian word "ventilator" derives from the French "ventilateur", both ultimately from the Latin "ventus" (wind), suggesting its original meaning of "air circulator".
Russianпоклонник
"Поклонник" also means "admirer", "supporter" or "worshipper" and can be used in non-entertainment contexts
Serbianлепеза
The Serbian word "лепеза" (fan) also means "beautiful woman" in Turkish and Persian.
Slovakventilátor
In Slovak, "ventilátor" derives from Latin word "ventus" and originally meant "window opening," later "opening that allows fresh air in", and only with time its meaning narrowed to "fan".
Slovenianventilator
"Ventilator" can also refer to a "respirator" in Slovenian.
Ukrainianвентилятор
The word "вентилятор" in Ukrainian is a cognate of the Latin word "ventus" meaning "wind" and also has the alternate meaning of "ventilate".

Fan in South Asian Languages

Bengaliফ্যান
Did you know that the word ফ্যান (fan) can also mean 'enthusiast' or 'admirer' in English?
Gujaratiચાહક
In Gujarati, 'ચાહક' not only means 'fan' but also refer to 'adherent', 'enthusiast', 'admirer', or 'follower'.
Hindiपंखा
The Hindi word "पंखा" (fan) is derived from the Sanskrit word "पतितः" (fallen), referring to the falling motion of the fan's blades.
Kannadaಅಭಿಮಾನಿ
ಅಭಿಮಾನಿ is derived from the Sanskrit word 'abhimana' meaning 'pride', 'devotion', or 'worship'.
Malayalamഫാൻ
The word 'ഫാൻ' can also mean 'favourite' or, in a more modern context, 'fanatic' in Malayalam.
Marathiचाहता
The word "चाहता" also means "lover" or "admirer" in Marathi.
Nepaliप्रशंसक
In Nepali, 'प्रशंसक' can also mean 'fanatic' or 'admirer'
Punjabiਪੱਖਾ
The word "ਪੱਖਾ" (pakhkā) in Punjabi also means "side" or "wing" of a bird or animal.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)රසිකයෙක්
"රසිකයෙක්" is derived from the Sanskrit word "रसिक" (rasika), meaning "one who relishes" or "one who appreciates."
Tamilவிசிறி
The word "விசிறி" also means "palm leaf" in Tamil, referring to the traditional hand-held fans made from palm leaves.
Teluguఅభిమాని
Urduپرستار
The word "پرستار" in Urdu can also mean "admirer" or "worshipper."

Fan in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)风扇
"风扇" (fan) derives from "风" (wind) and "扇" (to move or shake), originally referring to a hand-held fan.
Chinese (Traditional)風扇
The Chinese character '風' in '風扇' (fan) originally represented wind or air currents.
Japaneseファン
The word "fan" in Japanese also means "supporter" and is used to refer to fans of sports teams, celebrities, or other groups.
Korean부채
In Korean, '부채' (fan) also means a debt, originating from folding paper slips used in ancient accounting.
Mongolianфен
The Mongolian word "фен" (fan) can also refer to a type of wind instrument, similar to a flute.
Myanmar (Burmese)ပန်ကာ
The word "ပန်ကာ" (fan) in Myanmar (Burmese) is derived from the Sanskrit word "पङ्कः" (wheel or circle), and also means "disk", "disc", and "wheel" in Burmese.

Fan in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiankipas
"Kipas" is the Indonesian word for "fan", but it can also refer to the traditional dance from Aceh, Indonesia.
Javanesekipas angin
In the Javanese language, "kipas angin" also refers to a manual fan made of woven bamboo or palm leaves, traditionally used to provide relief from heat.
Khmerកង្ហារ
The word "កង្ហារ" can also refer to a "throne" or "palanquin" in Khmer.
Laoພັດລົມ
Malaykipas
"Kipas" has Javanese origins and denotes an implement for fanning that's manually operated by hand.
Thaiพัดลม
The word "พัดลม" can also refer to a type of palm-leaf fan used for traditional Thai dance performances.
Vietnamesequạt
"Quạt" also refers to the act of using a fan and the fan-shaped part in a palm tree
Filipino (Tagalog)tagahanga

Fan in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniazarkeş
"Azarkeş" also means the one who makes you sad, disturbs you or causes trouble
Kazakhжелдеткіш
The word "желдеткіш" can also refer to a ventilation device, a bellows, or a turbine.
Kyrgyzкүйөрман
The word "күйөрман" also means "supporter" and "adherent" in Kyrgyz.
Tajikмухлиси
The Tajik word "мухлиси" can also refer to a disciple or follower of a religious leader or teacher.
Turkmenjanköýer
Uzbekmuxlis
The word "muxlis" in Uzbek can also refer to a supporter, enthusiast, or follower specifically in a religious or cultural context.
Uyghurمەستانى

Fan in Pacific Languages

Hawaiiankānana
Hawaiian word "kānana" also means "to spread out" and is the likely root of "kanaka".
Maori
The word "pā" in Maori can also mean a fortified village or a place of refuge.
Samoanili
"Ili" can also mean "wing" or "sail"
Tagalog (Filipino)tagahanga
"Tagahanga" means both "admirer" and "fan," deriving from the verb "hangà." Its original meaning was "a person who admires someone."

Fan in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaramunataja
Guaranipejuha

Fan in International Languages

Esperantoventumilo
The Esperanto word "ventumilo" originally meant "that which makes wind", but came to also mean "fan".
Latinfan
The Latin word "fan" means "a temple" or "sacred place".

Fan in Others Languages

Greekανεμιστήρας
The term ανεμιστήρας also refers to a windlass (in a sailing ship) or to a windmill. From ἀνεμος meaning 'wind'.
Hmongntxuam
The word "ntxuam" can also refer to "wing" in Hmong.
Kurdishperwane
The Kurdish word "perwane" is thought to be related to the Persian word "parvān" meaning "butterfly" or "moth."
Turkishhayran
"Hayran" also means "amazed" or "surprised" and derives from the Persian word "heyran" meaning "distracted" or "bewildered".
Xhosafan
The Xhosa word "fan" can also mean "love" or "crush".
Yiddishפאָכער
The Yiddish word פאָכער means 'tail' of a bird or peacock, and in the past was a synonym of 'fan'
Zulufan
In Zulu, "fan" refers not only to a device that generates air flow, but also to a type of bird.
Assameseপাংখা
Aymaramunataja
Bhojpuriपंखा
Dhivehiފަންކާ
Dogriपक्खा
Filipino (Tagalog)tagahanga
Guaranipejuha
Ilocanopaypay
Kriofan
Kurdish (Sorani)هەوادار
Maithiliपंखा
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯍꯨꯃꯥꯏ
Mizofan
Oromodeeggaraa
Odia (Oriya)ପ୍ରଶଂସକ |
Quechuaqatiq
Sanskritव्यजनम्‌
Tatarҗанатар
Tigrinyaኣድናቂ
Tsongaxiphyuphyisi

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