Flame in different languages

Flame in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'flame' holds a special significance in our lives, often symbolizing warmth, passion, and transformation. From the dancing flames of a campfire to the flickering flame of a candle, these fiery tongues have captivated us for centuries, shaping our cultures and stories. Did you know that the ancient Greeks believed that fire was one of the four basic elements of the universe? Or that the Olympic flame is a symbol of continuity, representing the link between the ancient and modern Games?

Understanding the translation of 'flame' in different languages can offer a unique glimpse into the cultural importance of this natural phenomenon. For instance, in Spanish, 'flame' is 'llama', in French, it's 'flamme', while in German, it's 'Flamme'. These translations not only help us communicate across linguistic boundaries but also allow us to appreciate the beauty and significance of flame in various cultural contexts.

Flame


Flame in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansvlam
"Vlam" can also refer to a sharp pain, a sudden outburst of anger or a great passion.
Amharicነበልባል
The word ነበልባል may also refer to a type of bird known as a blue-naped mousebird.
Hausaharshen wuta
The word "harshen wuta" can also refer to the act of using harsh language or cursing someone
Igbooku
"Oku" in Igbo also means "spirit" or "deity" and comes from "oku," meaning "to burn" or "consume."
Malagasylelafo
The Malagasy word "lelafo" is a derivative of the Proto-Austronesian root "*lapaw" meaning "fire" or "flame".
Nyanja (Chichewa)lawi
The word "lawi" can refer to both a "flame" and a "firebrand" in Nyanja.
Shonamurazvo
The Shona word "murazvo" can also refer to the red or orange color of flames.
Somaliolol
"Olol" is also used to refer to a fire-bringer or a light-bringer in Somali mythology.
Sesotholelakabe
The word 'lelakabe' can also refer to a type of red or orange bead used in traditional Sesotho jewelry or spiritual practices.
Swahilimwali
The word "mwali" can also mean "heat"
Xhosaidangatye
The Xhosa word "idangatye" can also mean "anger" or "zeal".
Yorubaina
The word "ina" in Yoruba can also refer to a type of tree, the flame tree or the royal poinciana (Delonix regia).
Zuluilangabi
In Zulu, "ilangabi" is derived from the word "langa", meaning "sun", and is often used to refer to the flames burning on the sun's surface.
Bambaratasuma
Ewedzobibi
Kinyarwandaflame
Lingalamɔ́tɔ ya mɔ́tɔ
Lugandaennimi z’omuliro
Sepedikgabo ya mollo
Twi (Akan)ogyaframa

Flame in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicلهب
The word "لهب" can refer to both fire and its burning sensation.
Hebrewלֶהָבָה
The word "להבה" (flame) in Hebrew also has the alternate meaning of "inspiration" or "ardor".
Pashtoلمبه
The Pashto term "لمبه" (flame) has multiple meanings, including "light" or "fire" in other contexts
Arabicلهب
The word "لهب" can refer to both fire and its burning sensation.

Flame in Western European Languages

Albanianflakë
The word "flakë" in Albanian is related to the Proto-Indo-European root *gʰleh₂, meaning "to shine".
Basquegarra
The alternative etymology for the word “garra” means a “rock” which often occurs near volcanoes.
Catalanflama
In Catalan, the word "flama" comes from the Latin word "flamma", but it also means "flower" in its plural form, "flames".
Croatianplamen
Danishflamme
The word "flamme" in Danish can also refer to a type of pastry similar to a French crêpe but made with yeast and often filled with fruit or cheese.
Dutchvlam
The Dutch word "vlam" originates from the Proto-Germanic verb "*flammanan," also found in the English word "flame".
Englishflame
The word "flame" derives from the Proto-Indo-European root *bhel-, meaning "to shine" or "to burn".
Frenchflamme
The word "flamme" also means "passion" or "ardor" in French.
Frisianflam
The Frisian word "flam" also means "flattery" or "nonsense", derived from the Old Saxon "flemm" meaning "foolish talk".
Galicianchama
The Galician word "chama" also means "call" and derives from the Proto-Indo-European root "*kʰey-mo-" (to call) alongside the Latin word "clamo" (I cry out).
Germanflamme
In German, "Flamme" also refers to a type of pancake or pastry filling.
Icelandiclogi
The word "logi" is theorized to mean more accurately "afterburn" as the "g" sound in Old Norse was often inserted as a euphonic sound into words or as alliteration without semantic purpose.
Irishlasair
The word 'lasair' in Irish can also mean 'brightness', 'light', or 'beauty'.
Italianfiamma
The etymology of "fiamma" (flame) in Italian can be traced back to the Latin "flamma" (blaze), which originated from the Proto-Indo-European root "*bhel-," meaning "to shine" or "to burn."
Luxembourgishflaam
The word "Flaam" in Luxembourgish has the same root as "flamme" in French and "flame" in English, all deriving from the Latin "flamma".
Maltesefjamma
Maltese "fjamma" is derived from the Arabic "lamma," meaning "spark".
Norwegianflamme
In Norwegian, "flamme" can also mean "flamboyance" or "exaggeration."
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)chama
Chama can also refer to the upper surface of fire or fire-based phenomena.
Scots Gaeliclasair
Scots Gaelic lasair may derive from the verb las which means 'to burn'.
Spanishfuego
The Spanish word "fuego" can also refer to a fire as an uncontrolled occurrence, a gunfight, or passion or ardor.
Swedishflamma
In Swedish, "flamma" is also used figuratively to describe a person's lively and passionate nature.
Welshfflam
"Fflam" is the Welsh word for "flame," and is also thought to be the root of the word "flamorous," meaning "showy or extravagant."

Flame in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianполымя
The word "полымя" is derived from the Proto-Slavic root "polti", meaning "to burn" or "to blaze".
Bosnianplamen
The Bosnian word "plamen" has the additional meanings of "love" or "desire".
Bulgarianпламък
The word "пламък" (flame) in Bulgarian is rooted in the Proto-Slavic word *polmenъ, which also meant "hot". This suggests an ancient connection between fire and heat in Slavic culture.
Czechplamen
Czech "plamen" also means "the flame of life" or "spirit", reflecting that life is a flame that can be extinguished.
Estonianleek
The noun 'leek' is a cognate of the German 'leuchten', meaning 'to shine'.
Finnishliekki
"liekki" is a cognate of the word "lakko" ("strike") and can also mean "a sudden flash or outburst of anger".
Hungarianláng
"Láng" is also a Hungarian surname, and it can also be used as a first name in Hungarian."
Latvianliesma
The word "liesma" can also refer to a person with a strong will or determination and to a type of traditional Latvian song.
Lithuanianliepsna
The word "liepsna" is also related to Lithuanian word “lepti,” which means “to stick,” referring to how flames seem to cling to objects.
Macedonianпламен
The word "пламен" also refers to a "fiery spirit" or "ardor" in Macedonian.
Polishpłomień
"Płomień" also means "passion" or "ardor" in Polish
Romanianflacără
The word "flacără" is likely of Slavic or Gothic origin and may also share a connection to the word "flavus", Latin for "yellow"}
Russianпламя
The word "пламя" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *polme, which originally meant "fire" or "heat".
Serbianпламен
The word "пламен" also means "ardent" or "passionate" in Serbian.
Slovakplameň
The word "plameň" also means "love" or "passion" in Slovak.
Slovenianplamen
The word 'plamen' is derived from the Proto-Slavic root *pyľmъ, meaning 'fire'
Ukrainianполум'я
The word "полум'я" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *polmь, and is cognate with the Russian word "полмя" and the Polish word "płomień."

Flame in South Asian Languages

Bengaliশিখা
The word "শিখা" (shikha) also means "peacock feather" in Sanskrit, signifying a symbol of beauty and grace.
Gujaratiજ્યોત
The literal meaning of the Gujarati word 'જ્યોત' (pronounced “jyot”) comes from the Sanskrit word ''jyoti'', but it is also a feminine name common in Gujarat, especially among the Jain communities.
Hindiज्योति
In Sanskrit 'ज्योति', which means 'flame', can also refer to 'knowledge'. Additionally, in the feminine form, 'jyoti' is also a common name in India.
Kannadaಜ್ವಾಲೆ
The term "ಜ್ವಾಲೆ" (jwale) is derived from the Sanskrit word "jval" (झ्वल), which means "to burn brightly".
Malayalamതീജ്വാല
The word "തീജ്വാല" in Malayalam is derived from the combination of "തീ" (fire) and "ജ്വാല" (flame), symbolizing a brilliant and intense flame.
Marathiज्योत
The Sanskrit word "jyoti" (light, splendor) is the source of its Marathi cognate "jyot" and also its alternate meanings such as "knowledge" or "enlightenment."
Nepaliज्वाला
In Sanskrit, "ज्वाला" (jvālā) originally meant "light" or "brightness."
Punjabiਲਾਟ
The word "ਲਾਟ" ("flame") in Punjabi also means "a large group of people" or "a crowd".
Sinhala (Sinhalese)ගිනිදැල්
The Sinhalese word "ගිනිදැල්" can also be used to describe the fireflies, a type of nocturnal insect that produces light.
Tamilசுடர்
சுடர் (flame) is derived from the Proto-Dravidian root *cūḍ- 'to burn', and is cognate with Malayalam ചൂട് (chūṭ), Telugu చుండు (chuṇḍu), and Kannada ಚುಡ (chuḍa).
Teluguమంట
The word "మంట" also refers to the act of burning, as well as to a burning sensation such as a fever.
Urduشعلہ
The Urdu word "شعلہ" is also used metaphorically to refer to a person who is passionate or fiery.

Flame in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)火焰
Chinese character 火焰, which is pronounced as huǒ yàn in Mandarin, is composed of the characters 火(fire) and 炎(heat and light), and means 'flame'.
Chinese (Traditional)火焰
火焰 is a Chinese compound word that literally means "fiery radiance".
Japanese火炎
"火炎" (kaen) can also mean "great calamity" or "disaster" in Japanese.
Korean불꽃
The Korean word "불꽃" can also mean "spark" or "firework".
Mongolianдөл
The Mongolian word "дөл" has alternate meanings of "fierce" and "fire".
Myanmar (Burmese)မီးလျှံ
The name ဇြလ် ("flammable") might come from ဆြအ, "fire, flame" and ျခုွ, "to spread".

Flame in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianapi
The word 'api' can also refer to 'fire' or 'heat' in Indonesian.
Javanesekobongan
In Javanese, "kobongan" can also refer to a stove, fireplace, or campfire, or a place where something is burned.
Khmerអណ្តាតភ្លើង
The Khmer word 'អណ្តាតភ្លើង' originates from the Sanskrit word 'antaḥ-prabhā,' which literally means 'light within' or 'inner glow'.
Laoແປວໄຟ
Malaynyalaan
The word "nyalaan" can also refer to the light emitted by a firefly or a glow-in-the-dark object.
Thaiเปลวไฟ
เปลวไฟ is also a kind of traditional Thai silk weaving pattern.
Vietnamesengọn lửa
The word "ngọn lửa" can also refer to the tips of hair, grass, or trees, and is related to the word "ngọn" meaning "tip" or "peak".
Filipino (Tagalog)apoy

Flame in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanialov
The word "alov" in Azerbaijani also has the alternate meaning of "spark".
Kazakhжалын
The Kazakh word "жалын" (flame) can also colloquially refer to "ardor" or "enthusiasm."
Kyrgyzжалын
The word "жалын" also means "shine, glow, or sparkle" in Kyrgyz.
Tajikаланга
The word "аланга" in Tajik is also used to refer to the color of a horse with a reddish or yellowish-red coat.
Turkmenýalyn
Uzbekalanga
In Uzbek, the word "alanga" also means "red light" or "sunset glow".
Uyghurيالقۇن

Flame in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianlapalapa
In Hawaiian, "lapalapa" means "to burn" but in Māori, it means "young and inexperienced".
Maorimura
Also refers to "a blaze" or "the red plumage of a kaka parrot"
Samoanmumū
The word "mumū" can also refer to a kind of breadfruit dish in Samoan cuisine.
Tagalog (Filipino)siga
In Ilocano, 'siga' also means 'bright' or 'luminous'.

Flame in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaranina naktäwi
Guaranitatatĩ

Flame in International Languages

Esperantoflamo
The word "flamo" in Esperanto also means "flame".
Latinflamma
`Flamma` also means "priest" in Latin, which is related to the sacred fire used by the priests in religious ceremonies.

Flame in Others Languages

Greekφλόγα
The word "φλόγα" (flame) also means "strong desire" in Greek, coming from the Proto-Indo-European root *bhelg- meaning "to swell, to burst forth".
Hmongnplaim taws
The Hmong word "nplaim taws" also means "fire" and "light."
Kurdishagir
The Kurdish word "agir" also means "bright" or "shining" in the context of light or fire.
Turkishalev
In Turkish mythology, Alevinism is a mystical sect that believes in the existence of seven flames (alevs) in the human body.
Xhosaidangatye
The Xhosa word "idangatye" can also mean "anger" or "zeal".
Yiddishפלאַם
The Yiddish word "פלאַם" (flame) may also be used metaphorically to refer to a person's passion or enthusiasm.
Zuluilangabi
In Zulu, "ilangabi" is derived from the word "langa", meaning "sun", and is often used to refer to the flames burning on the sun's surface.
Assameseশিখা
Aymaranina naktäwi
Bhojpuriलौ के बा
Dhivehiއަލިފާންގަނޑެވެ
Dogriलौ
Filipino (Tagalog)apoy
Guaranitatatĩ
Ilocanogil-ayab
Krioflame we de bɔn
Kurdish (Sorani)بڵێسەی ئاگر
Maithiliलौ
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯃꯩꯁꯥ꯫
Mizomeialh a ni
Oromoabidda
Odia (Oriya)ଜ୍ୱଳନ୍ତ
Quechuanina rawray
Sanskritज्वाला
Tatarялкын
Tigrinyaሃልሃልታ
Tsongalangavi

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