Fellow in different languages

Fellow in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'fellow' is a versatile and friendly term, often used to describe someone who shares a common interest, activity, or identity. It signifies a sense of camaraderie, companionship, and mutual respect, and is widely used in everyday language across cultures. Historically, the term 'fellow' was used to describe a companion or mate, and over time, it has evolved to denote a peer or colleague in various professional and academic settings.

Moreover, the cultural importance of 'fellow' cannot be overstated. From the German 'Gefährte', meaning companion, to the Chinese 'tongxue', referring to a classmate or schoolmate, the word 'fellow' has been adopted and adapted by many languages to express the idea of a shared experience or identity. In Spain, a 'compañero' is a colleague or friend, while in Japan, a 'tsuuchou' is a fellow traveler on a journey.

Understanding the translation of 'fellow' in different languages can help break down cultural barriers and foster a sense of global community. By learning how to say 'fellow' in various languages, we can demonstrate respect, appreciation, and curiosity for other cultures, and build bridges of understanding and friendship.

Fellow


Fellow in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansmede
The Afrikaans word "mede" is an archaic word for "companion" or "associate" and is still used in some rural areas in South Africa, although it has been mostly replaced by "maat" in standard Afrikaans.
Amharicባልደረባ
The word "ባልደረባ" could also mean "companion" or "friend" in Amharic.
Hausaɗan'uwanmu
This word is often used to describe a close friend or relative
Igboibe
The word is borrowed from the English word "bee" used to describe a male friend.
Malagasympiara-
The word "mpiara-." can also mean "friend" or "companion".
Nyanja (Chichewa)mnzako
"Mnzako" also means a brother or a sister.
Shonashamwari
Derived from the word `shamhu`, `shamwari` is used in the sense of "one who belongs to one's own group" and denotes an association of persons with a shared interest or origin.
Somalisaaxiib
Saaxiib can also mean "partner" or "close friend" in Somali.
Sesothomotho mmoho
The phrase "motho mmoho" can mean both "a fellow" and "a member of the same ethnic group."
Swahilimwenzako
The word mwenzako is derived from the verb -enza "to do" and thus refers to a "co-doer" or "one who does the same thing".
Xhosaumntu
The word "umntu" in Xhosa can also refer to a tribe or a person, and is derived from the proto-Bantu word *muntu*, meaning "person".
Yorubaẹlẹgbẹ
The Yoruba word 'ẹlẹgbẹ' can also refer to a partner or peer and in old Yoruba mythology, a spirit which accompanies one through life often appearing in the form of an animal.
Zuluumfo
The word 'umfo' is cognate with the word 'umuntu' (a person) in other Bantu languages, suggesting a common origin.
Bambarajɛɲɔgɔn
Ewexɔ̃
Kinyarwandamugenzi wawe
Lingalamoninga
Lugandamunange
Sepedimogagešo
Twi (Akan)yɔnkoɔ

Fellow in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicزميل
The word "زميل" can also mean "classmate" or "associate" in Arabic.
Hebrewעָמִית
עָמִית is derived from the root **עָמַד** meaning to stand, in the sense of standing side-by-side with someone
Pashtoملګری
The Pashto word "ملګری" also means "friend", "companion", or "ally" in different contexts.
Arabicزميل
The word "زميل" can also mean "classmate" or "associate" in Arabic.

Fellow in Western European Languages

Albanianshoku
The Albanian word "shoku" may be related to the Romanian word "soc" (companion, friend) or the Latin word "socius" (companion, comrade).
Basquelaguna
"Laguna" can also mean 'lake' in the Basque language, as well as 'companion' or 'friend' in Spanish and Portuguese.
Catalancompany
The Catalan word "company" also means "companion" or "friend".
Croatiankolega
"Kolega" in Croatian can also mean "friend" or "comrade."
Danishfyr
In Danish, the word "fyr" can also mean "guy" or "dude".
Dutchkerel
The word "kerel" is also a nautical term for a young cabin boy or a male member of the crew.
Englishfellow
The term "fellow" derives from the Old English word "feolaga", meaning "companion", and originally referred to a member of a religious order or a university.
Frenchcompagnon
In French, the word 'compagnon' can also refer to a journeyman or craftsman, and in the past it was used to describe a member of a guild.
Frisiankeardel
The Frisian word "keardel" may derive from the Proto-West Germanic *karlaz meaning "man", and is also used as a diminutive form of a proper name.
Galiciancompañeiro
In Galician, "compañeiro" also means "partner" or "friend" and derives from the Latin "compatanius" (sharing bread)
Germangefährte
The word 'Gefährte', while primarily meaning 'fellow,' was once associated with 'danger,' originating from 'gefahr' (danger).
Icelandicnáungi
From Proto-Germanic *nahwungiz, meaning “near”. Cognate with Swedish näve meaning “fist or bunch” and Middle Dutch neve meaning “nephew”.
Irishcomh
"Comh" is derived from the Proto-Celtic "*kombo" meaning "together" or "related," and is also used in Irish to mean "friend," "companion," or "spouse."
Italiancompagno
The word "compagno" originally meant "companion" or "mate", and can also be used to refer to a friend or a colleague.
Luxembourgishmatbierger
The alternative meaning of "Matbierger" is "neighbor". Etymologically it stems from the Middle High German word *mat* with the same meaning, which in turn is related to the Greek word *meta* for "with".
Maltesesħabi
The Maltese word "sħabi" derives from the Arabic "ṣaḥib" meaning "companion" or "friend."
Norwegiankar
The word "kar" in Norwegian can also mean "male sheep" or "a small group of people."
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)companheiro
In Brazilian Portuguese, "companheiro" also means "boyfriend" or "girlfriend".
Scots Gaelicfear
The Gaelic word "fear" can also mean "man" or "husband".
Spanishcompañero
"Compañero" also means "mate" or "partner" and comes from the Latin "companionem" meaning "one who eats bread with another."
Swedishkompis
The word "kompis" is derived from the Old Norse word "kampi", meaning "comrade-in-arms".
Welshcymrawd
The word 'cymrawd' derives from 'cy' (together) and 'mrawd' (brother), and can also refer to a spouse or partner.

Fellow in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianтаварыш
"Таварыш" can also mean "comrade" or "friend" in a more general sense.
Bosniandruže
The word 'druže' also carries a connotation of camaraderie or friendship.
Bulgarianколега
The word "Колега" comes from the Russian word "коллега", which in turn comes from the Latin word "collega", meaning "colleague" or "companion".
Czechchlapík
The word "chlapík" is a diminutive of the word "chlap", which means "man" and has a slightly derogatory connotation.
Estoniankaaslane
The word "kaaslane" is also used in Estonian to refer to a passenger or companion.
Finnishkaveri
The word "kaveri" is of uncertain origin, with possible roots in the Proto-Uralic language or in the Finnic languages.
Hungarianfickó
The Hungarian word "fickó" originally meant "peasant" or "serf", but over time it acquired the meaning of "fellow" or "guy".
Latvianbiedrs
The word "biedrs" derives from Germanic "bi-drogen", meaning "to carry with each other", hence the comradely sense, and is cognate with German "Gefährte", also meaning "fellow".
Lithuaniandraugas
"Draugas" can also mean "friend" or "companion" in Lithuanian.
Macedonianколега
The word "колега" can also refer to a colleague or a coworker.
Polishfacet
The Polish word "facet" can also mean "aspect" or "side".
Romanianomule
It can also be used to address children, especially in the countryside.
Russianтоварищ
In Russian, "товарищ" also refers to a comrade, associate, or colleague, and was a common form of address during the Soviet era.
Serbianколега
The term 'колега' ('fellow') in Serbian may also refer to professional partners or associates within a specific field or workplace.
Slovakkolega
"Kolega" was borrowed from Russian via Polish; other Slavic languages prefer the word "tovarish" (comrade).
Sloveniankolega
In Slovenian, the word kolega (fellow) has a similar origin to the German word Kollegin (female colleague), meaning a person in the same profession or occupation.
Ukrainianтоваришу
"Товаришу" also has a more informal meaning of "buddy", which originated in the Soviet era as a way for people to address one another in a friendly and egalitarian manner.

Fellow in South Asian Languages

Bengaliসহকর্মী
The word "সহকর্মী" (fellow) in Bengali literally means "co-worker" and can also refer to a colleague or companion.
Gujaratiસાથી
The word "સાથી" in Gujarati also means "partner" or "associate".
Hindiसाथी
The word 'साथी' (companion) is also used in Hindi to refer to a member of a group or team, or to an accomplice in a crime.
Kannadaಸಹ
The word "ಸಹ" can also mean "equal" or "alike" in Kannada.
Malayalamസഹ
In ancient Tamil, "sah" meant "friend"; it later came to mean "companion" in Malayalam and "elder brother" in Kannada.
Marathiसहकारी
The Marathi word 'सहकारी' also has the meanings 'co-operative', 'assisting', and 'aiding'.
Nepaliसाथी
The word 'साथी' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'saha', which has the same meaning 'साथ' ('together').
Punjabiਸਾਥੀ
The word "ਸਾਥੀ" also means "associate" or "companion" in Punjabi.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)සහෝදරයා
The Sinhala word සහෝදරයා can also refer to a friend or a member of a group.
Tamilசக
சக can also mean 'friend', 'companion' or 'associate'.
Teluguతోటి
The word "తోటి" can also refer to companions or equals, and even sometimes to a relative or spouse.
Urduساتھی
Urdu word 'ساتھی' (fellow) is derived from Sanskrit 'sakha' (friend) and also means 'accompaniment' in Persian.

Fellow in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)同伴
同伴's original meaning is 'companion' and the word can be used to refer to 'an accomplice in crime'.
Chinese (Traditional)同伴
"同伴" can also mean "accompanying" or "accompanist" in Chinese (Traditional).
Japanese仲間
仲間 derives from 中 (naka, 'in the middle') + 間 (ma, 'space, interval, distance'). In some contexts, refers to an 'interval, pause, break'. Also has a meaning of 'group' or 'team', such as '仲間意識' (group consciousness).
Korean사람
The Sino-Korean word "사람" can also mean "an individual", "a person", or "a human being".
Mongolianнөхөр
In the Khalkha dialect, "нөхөр" can also be used as a respectful term of address to an older male who is not a close relative.
Myanmar (Burmese)ချစ်သူ
The word "fellow" can also refer to a person who is in a relationship with someone, or to a group of people who are united by a common interest or goal.

Fellow in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiansesama
In Old Javanese, "sesama" meant "together" and in Old Malay it was "sa" (one); its current meaning was first found in the 17th century.
Javanesesesama
Sesama has the same root as sesampai, which means 'to reach' or 'to attain'.
Khmerមិត្ត
The word "មិត្ត" can also mean "friend" or "companion" in Khmer.
Laoອື່ນໆ
The word “ອື່ນໆ” (“fellow”) may also refer to other forms of fellowship, such as community or companionship.
Malaysesama
In Sanskrit, "sesama" means "follower" or "attendant," while in Javanese it denotes a "sibling" or "relative"
Thaiเพื่อน
เพื่อน (fellow) is derived from an Old Khmer term meaning "friend" or "companion".
Vietnameseđồng bọn
The term "đồng bọn" can refer to a criminal or accomplice, while the term "đồng minh" denotes an ally or political associate.
Filipino (Tagalog)kapwa

Fellow in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniyoldaş
In Azerbaijani, the word “yoldaş” originally meant “comrade” or “companion”, but its current meaning of “fellow” is likely due to influence from the Russian language.
Kazakhжолдас
"Жолдас" can also refer to a companion, friend, or comrade in arms.
Kyrgyzишенимдеш
The word "ишенимдеш" comes from the verb "ишенбеу" meaning "to trust" and literally means "one who is trusted".
Tajikҳамимон
The word "ҳамимон" in Tajik can also mean "companion" or "friend".
Turkmenýoldaş
Uzbeko'rtoq
The word "o'rtoq" is also used to refer to a comrade or partner, and is related to the word "o'rtak," meaning "common."
Uyghurتورداش

Fellow in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianhoa
The Hawaiian word "hoa" can also refer to a companion, friend, or associate.
Maorihoa
The Māori word "hoa" also refers to a spouse or lover.
Samoanuso a tagata
Uso a tagata is derived from the root word uso meaning "brother," and tagata meaning "person," hence its literal meaning is "brother person".
Tagalog (Filipino)kapwa
"Kapwa" also means "other people" and "neighbor" in Tagalog.

Fellow in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaramasi
Guaraniirũ

Fellow in International Languages

Esperantoulo
"Ulo" originates from the Latin verb "uti", meaning "to use", hence the sense of "fellow", "instrument" or "apparatus"
Latinconservis
In classical Latin, "conservis" meant literally "fellow slave" (i.e. a person sharing the same master and social status), but its social significance gradually softened to mean a slave who is a personal companion to his master.

Fellow in Others Languages

Greekσύντροφος
The word **σύντροφος** (pronounced **sýntrophos**) literally means "jointly nourished" and can refer not only to fellow humans but also to animals that share the same feeding ground or have been raised together.
Hmongkhub
The word "khub" can also refer to a friend, comrade, or associate.
Kurdishheval
In Kurdish dialects, "heval" also means "friend" with connotations of camaraderie and political solidarity.
Turkishdost
The word 'dost' originates from the Persian word 'dust' meaning 'friend', and is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *deḱs- meaning 'right' or 'south'.
Xhosaumntu
The word "umntu" in Xhosa can also refer to a tribe or a person, and is derived from the proto-Bantu word *muntu*, meaning "person".
Yiddishיונגערמאַן
In Yiddish, "יונגערמאַן" can also mean a "young man" or a "youngster".
Zuluumfo
The word 'umfo' is cognate with the word 'umuntu' (a person) in other Bantu languages, suggesting a common origin.
Assameseসহকৰ্মী
Aymaramasi
Bhojpuriसंगी-साथी
Dhivehiއެކުވެރި
Dogriसाथी
Filipino (Tagalog)kapwa
Guaraniirũ
Ilocanokadua
Kriokɔmpin
Kurdish (Sorani)هاوتا
Maithiliमित्र
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯏꯃꯥꯟꯅꯕ
Mizothawhpui
Oromohiriyaa
Odia (Oriya)ସାଥୀ
Quechuamasi
Sanskritकापुरुष
Tatarиптәш
Tigrinyaተኸታሊ
Tsongakulorhi

Click on a letter to browse words starting with that letter