Flag in Different Languages
Discover 'Flag' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
A flag is more than just a piece of fabric; it's a powerful symbol of identity, unity, and history. From the stars and stripes of the United States to the rising sun of Japan, flags hold immense cultural importance and significance worldwide. They have been used to represent nations, organizations, and even individuals, and have played pivotal roles in various historical contexts.
Given its significance, it's no wonder that many people are interested in learning the translation of the word 'flag' in different languages. For instance, the Spanish translation is 'bandera,' while in French, it's 'drapeau.' In German, the word for flag is 'Fahne,' and in Mandarin Chinese, it's '旗帜 (qízhì).'
Learning the translation of 'flag' in various languages can be a fun and enriching way to explore different cultures and broaden your horizons. So, whether you're a language enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious, read on to discover the translations of 'flag' in over 50 languages!
Flag
Flag in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | vlag | ||
| The Afrikaans "vlag" comes from the old Dutch "vlagge", which refers to the shape of a banner, while "vlag" in Dutch only refers to the banner's colors. | |||
| Amharic | ባንዲራ | ||
| The word "ባንዲራ" is derived from the Italian word "bandiera" and the French word "banderole". | |||
| Hausa | tuta | ||
| The word 'tuta' can also refer to the shade or shadow made by an object. | |||
| Igbo | ọkọlọtọ | ||
| Malagasy | sainam-pirenena | ||
| The Malagasy word for | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | mbendera | ||
| The word 'mbendera' can also mean 'chief' or 'king' in Nyanja. | |||
| Shona | mureza | ||
| The word "mureza" can also mean "custom" in Shona. | |||
| Somali | calan | ||
| In Somali, "calan" can also mean "a gathering of people" or "a place where people gather," reflecting the flag's symbolism as a unifier and a symbol of national identity. | |||
| Sesotho | folakha | ||
| The word "folakha" derives from the Bantu root "-taka-, -tāka-, which means to spread out or to cover. | |||
| Swahili | bendera | ||
| "Bendera" (flag) is derived from the Portuguese "bandeira" (banner) and also means "a mark of respect". | |||
| Xhosa | iflegi | ||
| The Xhosa word "iflegi" can also mean "banner" or "emblem". | |||
| Yoruba | asia | ||
| In Yoruba, the word "àṣíà" not only means "flag", but also refers to a traditional dance performed by women during festivals. | |||
| Zulu | ifulegi | ||
| The Zulu word "ifulegi" can also refer to a military banner or a symbol of a cause. | |||
| Bambara | darapo | ||
| Ewe | flaga | ||
| Kinyarwanda | ibendera | ||
| Lingala | drapo | ||
| Luganda | ebendera | ||
| Sepedi | folaga | ||
| Twi (Akan) | frankaa | ||
Flag in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | علم | ||
| علم is a common word that can refer to knowledge, a banner, or an emblem. | |||
| Hebrew | דֶגֶל | ||
| The Hebrew word "דֶגֶל" (flag) also means "sign" or "banner". | |||
| Pashto | بيرغ | ||
| The Pashto word "بيرغ" (flag) originates from the Persian word "پرچم" with the same meaning, which in turn comes from the Proto-Indo-European root "*perg-" meaning "to raise or elevate." | |||
| Arabic | علم | ||
| علم is a common word that can refer to knowledge, a banner, or an emblem. | |||
Flag in Western European Languages
| Albanian | flamuri | ||
| In Albanian, "flamuri" is also used in the context of marriage where it represents a dowry, typically referring to an amount of money, property or other valuable assets given by the bride's family to the groom or his family as a contribution to the new household's financial stability and security. | |||
| Basque | bandera | ||
| The Basque word “bandera” also means “banner” and possibly derives from the Latin “banderia,” meaning a band of soldiers carrying a banner. | |||
| Catalan | bandera | ||
| In Spanish, the word "bandera" can also mean "group of people united by a common goal" or "banner used in a procession or demonstration". | |||
| Croatian | zastava | ||
| The word "zastava" comes from the Old Slavic word "stava" meaning "flagpole". It is also used to refer to a banner or sign. | |||
| Danish | flag | ||
| The Danish word "flag" can also refer to a piece of fabric or a rag. | |||
| Dutch | vlag | ||
| The word "vlag" is also used to refer to a patch of fabric used to cover something, such as a wound or a hole. | |||
| English | flag | ||
| The word "flag" derives from the Old English word "fleogan", meaning "to flutter" or "to wave". | |||
| French | drapeau | ||
| The French word "drapeau" derives from the Old French word "drapel," meaning "piece of cloth." | |||
| Frisian | flagge | ||
| In Frisian, "flagge" also refers to a type of bird called a reed bunting. | |||
| Galician | bandeira | ||
| In Galician, "Bandeira" can also refer to a band of musicians or a group of people united by a common purpose. | |||
| German | flagge | ||
| The word "Flagge" derives from the Middle Dutch word "vlagge", meaning "flat piece of cloth". | |||
| Icelandic | fána | ||
| Fána is derived from the Old Norse word 'fana', meaning a cloth or banner that was often carried into battle indicating ownership or allegiance, and is related to the words 'fan' and 'ensign'. | |||
| Irish | bratach | ||
| The word "bratach" also means "cloth" or "cloak" in Irish. | |||
| Italian | bandiera | ||
| "Bandiera" in Italian can also mean 'gang', 'side', or 'lineup' in the context of sports matches. | |||
| Luxembourgish | fändel | ||
| The word "Fändel" in Luxembourgish is derived from the Middle German word "Vendel," meaning "small flag," and is also used to refer to a gathering of young people who march in parades carrying flags. | |||
| Maltese | bandiera | ||
| In Maltese, "bandiera" can also mean "banner". | |||
| Norwegian | flagg | ||
| The Norwegian word "flagg" can also refer to a large stone or rock. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | bandeira | ||
| The word "bandeira" originated from the Medieval Latin word "banderia", meaning "a military banner" | |||
| Scots Gaelic | bratach | ||
| The word 'bratach' also means 'rag' and can refer to a piece of cloth used for cleaning or covering something. | |||
| Spanish | bandera | ||
| Bandera's etymology suggests an origin in a Teutonic banner, but it also means 'side' or 'party'. | |||
| Swedish | flagga | ||
| The word "flagga" may come from Middle Low German "vlagge" or Dutch "vlag", meaning banner or cloth. | |||
| Welsh | baner | ||
| The word 'baner' in Welsh also has a metaphorical meaning, signifying 'a leader' or 'one who goes in front'. | |||
Flag in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | сцяг | ||
| The word “сцяг” originated from the Old East Slavic word “стягъ”, which had two meanings - “flag” and “military detachment”. | |||
| Bosnian | zastava | ||
| Zastava has two origins: the Proto-Slavic word *zastava ('protection, defense') and the Proto-Slavic word *stava ('setting up, standing up') | |||
| Bulgarian | флаг | ||
| Bulgarian word "флаг" comes from German word "Flagge". Also it means a small piece of paper, a label. | |||
| Czech | vlajka | ||
| "Vlajka" also means "banner" or "streamer" and probably comes from the Middle High German "wimpel", meaning a "pennant" or "small banner". | |||
| Estonian | lipp | ||
| The word "lipp" likely originates from the ancient word for "fabric" but can also mean "cloth", "tablecloth" or "sail" depending on the context. | |||
| Finnish | lippu | ||
| The word "lippu" can refer to a number of different types of flags, banners, or ensigns. | |||
| Hungarian | zászló | ||
| The Hungarian word "zászló" originally meant "sign, banner", and is related to the words "szó" (word) and "szól" (to speak). | |||
| Latvian | karogu | ||
| The word "karogs" in Latvian comes from the Germanic word "karog" meaning "army". | |||
| Lithuanian | vėliava | ||
| In Old Prussian, "welan" means "to wave". This might explain the origin of the word "vėliava" in Lithuanian. | |||
| Macedonian | знаме | ||
| Macedonian word for "flag", знаме, derives from Turkish word "sancak", meaning "banner" or "standard", but also refers to an "administrative unit" within a province. | |||
| Polish | flaga | ||
| Polish "flaga" is a German loanword and derives from the Low German word "vlagge". | |||
| Romanian | steag | ||
| The Romanian word steag ultimately derives from the Latin word *vexillum*, meaning "standard" or "flag". | |||
| Russian | флаг | ||
| "Флаг" from Old Church Slavonic флага "piece of cloth", probably from Proto-Slavic *tlaga, from Proto-Indo-European *telg- "to spread, cover, roof". | |||
| Serbian | застава | ||
| The word „застава“ also derives from the verb „заставити“ („za-sta-viti“), “to stay behind”, as a flag marks where the front or rear of a military camp lies. | |||
| Slovak | vlajka | ||
| The word "vlajka" likely derives from the German dialect word "vlagg" meaning "cloth" or "rag". | |||
| Slovenian | zastavo | ||
| The word "zastavo" in Slovenian can also mean "obstacle" or "burden". | |||
| Ukrainian | прапор | ||
| “Прапор” (“flag”) initially meant “standard” in Ukrainian, and only later came to refer to any type of flag. | |||
Flag in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | পতাকা | ||
| "পতাকা" (flag) came from the Sanskrit word "patāka" meaning "a piece of cloth attached to a pole or staff and used as a standard or a signal." | |||
| Gujarati | ધ્વજ | ||
| "ધ્વજ" is also used to denote a 'standard' or a 'banner', and is derived from the Sanskrit word 'dhvaja', meaning 'that which floats or waves in the air' | |||
| Hindi | झंडा | ||
| The word | |||
| Kannada | ಧ್ವಜ | ||
| The word "ಧ್ವಜ" can also mean "banner", "standard", or "crest". | |||
| Malayalam | ഫ്ലാഗ് | ||
| The word "ഫ്ലാഗ്" (flag) in Malayalam can also refer to a type of bamboo flute used in traditional folk music. | |||
| Marathi | झेंडा | ||
| The word 'झेंडा' shares its root with the Sanskrit word 'जिन्तु', meaning 'to conquer' or 'to win', suggesting a connection between victory and the waving of a flag. | |||
| Nepali | झण्डा | ||
| The Sanskrit origin of झण्डा is 'ketana', referring to a pole with a cloth used in battles and processions. | |||
| Punjabi | ਝੰਡਾ | ||
| The word "ਝੰਡਾ" also means "a long piece of cloth used as a banner or symbol, especially one waved or carried on a staff or pole". | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | ධජ | ||
| The Sinhala word 'ධජ' ('flag') originates from the Sanskrit word 'ध्वज' ('flag'), which itself is derived from the Proto-Indo-Iranian root *dʰwéǵʰ- ('to wave'). | |||
| Tamil | கொடி | ||
| In Tamil, "கொடி" also refers to a creeper plant like a vine or liana. | |||
| Telugu | జెండా | ||
| The word "జెండా" can also refer to a person who is proud of his/her work. | |||
| Urdu | پرچم | ||
| The word "flag" can also refer to a piece of embroidery, or it can be used as a verb meaning "to adorn with a flag." | |||
Flag in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 旗 | ||
| In ancient China, '旗' also meant 'army' or 'military camp'. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 旗 | ||
| "旗" can also refer to a battalion or banner with a specific color or design, or a unit of administrative division (specifically in Mongolian-related areas). | |||
| Japanese | 国旗 | ||
| '国旗' is a compound noun comprising '国' ('country or nation') and '旗' ('banner or flag'). This is not the original word in Japanese for 'flag', which used to be '旗(hata)'. | |||
| Korean | 깃발 | ||
| The word '깃발' (flag) in Korean can also refer to a signal or banner. | |||
| Mongolian | туг | ||
| The Mongolian word "туг" (flag) also means "banner" and "sign". | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | အလံ | ||
| The word အလံ (flag) is thought to have originated either from the Mon language or the Pali language. | |||
Flag in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | bendera | ||
| "Bendera" comes from the Dutch word "banier" meaning "banner". In Javanese, it can also refer to a "cloth for covering" or a "piece of cloth used as a partition". | |||
| Javanese | gendera | ||
| The word "gendera" in Javanese also refers to a type of xylophone made of metal and played with two mallets. | |||
| Khmer | ទង់ | ||
| The term "ទង់" (pronounced "tong") originates from the Sanskrit word "dhwaja" and carries symbolic meanings beyond its primary association with flags, representing national identity, honor, and aspirations. | |||
| Lao | ທຸງ | ||
| The word "ທຸງ" is also used to refer to a banner or a pennant. | |||
| Malay | bendera | ||
| The word “bendera” comes from the Portuguese word “bandeira” meaning “banner, standard”. | |||
| Thai | ธง | ||
| The word "ธง" also means "sign", "symbol", or "banner" in Thai culture. | |||
| Vietnamese | cờ | ||
| The word "cờ" in Vietnamese is derived from the Chinese word "旗" (pronounced "qí"), which also means "flag" or "banner" | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | bandila | ||
Flag in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | bayraq | ||
| The word "bayraq" is also used to refer to a banner or a standard, and it originates from the Old Turkic word "bayrak," meaning "flag" or "banner." | |||
| Kazakh | жалау | ||
| In Kazakh, the word "жалау" (flag) has roots in the Proto-Turkic language and is related to the word "жалан" (banner, standard). It also has a secondary meaning of "spread out" or "unfold". | |||
| Kyrgyz | желек | ||
| The word "желек" in Kyrgyz can also refer to a banner, pennant, or ensign. | |||
| Tajik | парчам | ||
| The word "парчам" can also refer to a type of rich fabric or a group of people united by a common cause. | |||
| Turkmen | baýdak | ||
| Uzbek | bayroq | ||
| The word "bayroq" derives from the Persian "bayraq" and is cognate with the Arabic "bandīra" and Turkish "bayrak," all of which mean "flag," but also refer to "banners," "standards," or "ensigns." | |||
| Uyghur | flag | ||
Flag in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | hae | ||
| The Hawaiian word "hae" is traditionally used to refer to bundles of kapa (barkcloth) but also means "celebration" or "thanksgiving". | |||
| Maori | haki | ||
| The word 'haki' also refers to the breath or life force in Māori culture. | |||
| Samoan | fuʻa | ||
| The word "fuʻa" can also mean "army" or "troops" in Samoan. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | bandila | ||
| 'Bandala' is also used to describe an object that is tied or wrapped around something, like a bandage. | |||
Flag in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | wiphala | ||
| Guarani | poyvi | ||
Flag in International Languages
| Esperanto | flago | ||
| Esperanto 'flago' is based on French 'drapeau', and also means ‘blow’ in Latin. | |||
| Latin | vexillum | ||
| The word "vexillum" is also used to refer to a square of cloth with religious or military symbols, often carried in battle as a standard. | |||
Flag in Others Languages
| Greek | σημαία | ||
| The term "σημαία" (flag) derives from the ancient Greek word "σημαί" (signal), as flags were initially used for signaling in the battlefield. | |||
| Hmong | chij | ||
| "Chij" is also used to refer to the clan, or the symbol of the clan. | |||
| Kurdish | al | ||
| "Al" in Kurdish also refers to a "group of people" or a "crowd". | |||
| Turkish | bayrak | ||
| The word "bayrak" is derived from the Persian word "bayraq" meaning "banner" or "standard", and has also been used in Turkish to refer to a "nobleman's estate" or "fiefdom". | |||
| Xhosa | iflegi | ||
| The Xhosa word "iflegi" can also mean "banner" or "emblem". | |||
| Yiddish | פאָן | ||
| The Yiddish word פאָן (flag) is derived from German Fahne, which is ultimately of Latin origin (pannus). | |||
| Zulu | ifulegi | ||
| The Zulu word "ifulegi" can also refer to a military banner or a symbol of a cause. | |||
| Assamese | পতাকা | ||
| Aymara | wiphala | ||
| Bhojpuri | झंडा | ||
| Dhivehi | ދިދަ | ||
| Dogri | झंडा | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | bandila | ||
| Guarani | poyvi | ||
| Ilocano | bandera | ||
| Krio | flag | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | ئاڵا | ||
| Maithili | झंडा | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯐꯤꯔꯥꯜ | ||
| Mizo | puanzar | ||
| Oromo | alaabaa | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ପତାକା | ||
| Quechua | unancha | ||
| Sanskrit | ध्वजा | ||
| Tatar | флаг | ||
| Tigrinya | ባንዴራ | ||
| Tsonga | mujeko | ||