Flavor in different languages

Flavor in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

Flavor is a concept that tantalizes our taste buds and evokes memories of delicious meals shared with loved ones. It's a word that holds significance not just in the culinary world, but also in the sciences, where it refers to the sensation produced by the stimulation of taste buds. The cultural importance of flavor is undeniable, as it plays a central role in many traditions and customs around the world.

For instance, the spicy flavors of Indian cuisine, the umami-rich broths of Japanese cuisine, and the tangy, fermented flavors of Korean cuisine all tell a story of their people and their history. Understanding the flavors of a culture can provide insight into its values, beliefs, and way of life.

Moreover, knowing the translation of flavor in different languages can be a fun and enriching experience for language enthusiasts and travelers alike. For example, the French say 'saveur,' the Spanish say 'sabor,' and the Germans say 'Geschmack.'

In this article, we'll explore the translations of flavor in various languages, shedding light on the cultural significance of this delectable word.

Flavor


Flavor in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansgeur
The Afrikaans word "geur" is derived from the Dutch word "geur", which originally meant "smell"
Amharicጣዕም
In Amharic, "ጣዕም" also carries connotations of "quality," "essence," or "substance."
Hausadandano
In Hausa, "dandano" can also refer to a "taste" or a "sensation".
Igboekpomeekpo
The word "ekpomeekpo" in Igbo also means "a taste of food, especially when it is delicious and well-prepared."
Malagasytsirony
The word "tsirony" can also mean "essence" or "nature" in Malagasy.
Nyanja (Chichewa)kununkhira
The word "kununkhira" in Nyanja (Chichewa) is derived from the verb "kununkha" which means "to smell" or "to sniff".
Shonakuravira
The word "kuravira" in Shona also means "to be tasty" or "to be pleasing to the taste".
Somalidhadhan
The Somali word 'dhadhan' shares its etymological root with the word 'dhad' meaning 'to taste' implying that flavors are connected to the act of tasting
Sesothotatso
The Sesotho word "tatso" derives from the Bantu root "-tat-," meaning "to taste" or "to relish."
Swahililadha
"Ladha" can also refer to a tasty food or a feeling of satisfaction.
Xhosaincasa
The word "incasa" in Xhosa is also used to describe someone who is good-natured, hospitable, and approachable.
Yorubaadun
"Adun" also means "sweetness" and "delight" in Yoruba.
Zuluukunambitheka
"ukunambitheka" also means "to taste" or "to have a flavor" in Zulu.
Bambaradaamu
Ewevivi ƒe vivi
Kinyarwandauburyohe
Lingalaelɛngi
Lugandaobuwoomi
Sepeditatso ya
Twi (Akan)dɛ a ɛyɛ dɛ

Flavor in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicنكهة
The word "نكهة" is related to the root word "نكه" meaning "to perfume" and "نكهة" can also refer to "reputation"}
Hebrewטעם
The word טעם also means "reason" or "basis" in Hebrew, akin to "taste" or "relish" in English.
Pashtoخوند
The word "خوند" in Pashto comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *ǵʰʷen- meaning "to strike" or "to kill", and is cognate with the English word "wound".
Arabicنكهة
The word "نكهة" is related to the root word "نكه" meaning "to perfume" and "نكهة" can also refer to "reputation"}

Flavor in Western European Languages

Albanianaromë
The Albanian word "aromë" ultimately derives from ancient Greek "aroma", meaning "spice".
Basquezaporea
In proto-Basque "*zapo" meant "taste" and "*ore" meant "water", so "zaporea" literally meant "water of taste".
Catalansabor
The word "sabor" in Catalan is also the word for "knowledge", and it comes from the Latin word "sapere", which means "to taste".
Croatianokus
"Okus" shares its root with "cost" and "gustatory" from Latin and Greek respectively, implying its connection to value and taste.
Danishsmag
The Danish word "smag" is also used to refer to the sense of taste or the act of tasting something.
Dutchsmaak
The word "smaak" in Dutch also refers to the sense of taste or an individual's personal preference for certain flavors.
Englishflavor
The word 'flavor' originally meant 'smell' or 'odor', and is related to the words 'fragrant' and 'flower'.
Frenchsaveur
The word "saveur" in French derives from the Latin "sapere", meaning both "to taste" and "to be wise".
Frisiansmaak
The word "smaak" is also used in Frisian to refer to a small amount of something, such as a "smaakje" (a small bite).
Galiciansabor
"Sabor" also means "knowledge," "wisdom," or "experience" in Galician.
Germangeschmack
The German word 'Geschmack' shares its origin with the English word 'smack', referring to both the perception and the act of touching or striking.
Icelandicbragð
The word "bragð" in Icelandic can also mean "taste, scent, or aroma" and is related to the Old Norse word "braga," meaning "to taste or test."
Irishblas
The word "blas" in Irish has also been compared to the English "blast".
Italiangusto
The word "gusto" in Italian also means "taste", "relish", and "enthusiasm".
Luxembourgisharoma
The Luxembourgish word "Aroma" originally meant "good smell" and has a similar meaning to the English word "fragrance".
Maltesetogħma
The Maltese word "togħma" originates from the Arabic word "tawq", meaning "desire" or "craving".
Norwegiansmak
The word "smak" is also a nautical term meaning "calm sea" or "smooth sailing."
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)sabor
The word "sabor" derives from the Latin "sapere", which means "to taste" or "to have flavor". It has also been used figuratively to refer to "wisdom" or "knowledge"
Scots Gaelicblas
The Scottish Gaelic word "blas" not only means "flavor", but also "taste", "relish", "enjoyment", and figuratively "a touch", "a hint"
Spanishsabor
Sabor's etymology relates to the Latin word "sapere," meaning "to taste" or "to have a flavor."
Swedishsmak
The word "smak" in Swedish can also refer to "taste" or "the sense of taste".
Welshblas
The Welsh word "blas" has a cognate in Old English "blæd" meaning "fruit" or "growth".

Flavor in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianводар
The word "водар" comes from the Proto-Slavic word *vodъ, meaning "water".
Bosnianaroma
The word "aroma" also means "fragrances" in Bosnian.
Bulgarianаромат
The Bulgarian word "аромат" is ultimately derived from Greek, and originally meant "spice" or "herb".
Czechpříchuť
The word "příchuť" can also mean "nuance", "hint", or "slight addition".
Estonianmaitse
"Maitse" is etymologically related to the Finnish word "maku" and the Ingrian word "mako".
Finnishmaku
The word "maku" is also used to refer to the sense of taste, or the preference for or appreciation of particular flavors.
Hungarianaroma
In Hungarian, the word "aroma" can also mean "fragrance" or "scent."
Latviangarša
In the context of beer, "garša" can also mean "smell" or "aroma"
Lithuanianskonio
"Skonio" in Lithuanian has the same root as the Old Prussian word "sconis" and the Latvian word "skābe," both meaning "sour"
Macedonianвкус
The word "вкус" in Macedonian can also refer to "taste" or "sense of taste".
Polishsmak
Polish "smak" originates from Proto-Slavic "sъmakъ" (sweetness) and is related to "smok" (dragon) and "smażyć" (to fry).
Romanianaromă
The Romanian word "aromă" derives from the Greek "aroma", meaning "pleasant smell", and it can also refer to a particular fragrance or scent.
Russianаромат
"аромат" means "fragrance" in Russian, while the cognate word "arôme" means the same in French.
Serbianукус
The word "укус" can also mean "bite" or "sting" in Serbian, reflecting its dual nature as a sensory experience and a potential threat.
Slovakpríchuť
The word "príchuť" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *prikyti, meaning "to cover" or "to hide," and is related to the words "prikryť" (to cover) and "krytie" (cover).
Slovenianaromo
It is derived from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to smell" and is related to the German word "Aroma".
Ukrainianсмак
"Смак" has another, more archaic meaning - "smell", which has also left a trace in modern Ukrainian language in the word "смачний" (delicious, tasty), which etymologically goes back to the Old Slavonic *sъ-madъ (literally - "with smell"), cf. Russian "сосмаглый" (with an unpleasant smell) or Polish "smrod" (stench).

Flavor in South Asian Languages

Bengaliগন্ধ
"গন্ধ" comes from Sanskrit "गन्ध" meaning "scent" or "fragrance".
Gujaratiસ્વાદ
The Gujarati word "સ્વાદ" can also refer to the "taste" of a food or drink or the "relish" for something.
Hindiस्वाद
The word "स्वाद" can also refer to "taste" or "relish" in a metaphorical sense, such as the "flavor" of a book or an experience.
Kannadaರುಚಿ
"ರುಚಿ" is also a name given to Hindu Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth and beauty.
Malayalamരസം
In Sanskrit, "രസം" has a wider connotation, encompassing emotions and the essence of art, but it has also influenced Malayalam with its meaning of "taste".
Marathiचव
The word "चव" in Marathi can also mean "taste" or "relish".
Nepaliस्वाद
The word "स्वाद" (flavor) is also used to describe the "essence" of something or its "true meaning".
Punjabiਸੁਆਦ
"ਸੁਆਦ" is also used to refer to the taste of something.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)රසය
The Sinhalese word "රසය" ("flavor") is derived from the Sanskrit word "रस" ("essence"), which also refers to the six "rasas" (tastes) in Ayurveda.
Tamilசுவை
"சுவை" means 'flavor' but can also mean 'enjoyment', 'taste' and 'beauty'"
Teluguరుచి
The word "రుచి" is derived from the Sanskrit word "रस" (rasa), meaning "juice, taste, or essence."
Urduذائقہ
"ذائقہ" (flavor) originates from the Arabic word "ذوق" (taste), which also refers to "discernment" and "judgment."

Flavor in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)味道
"味道" not only means "flavor", but also refers to "smell", "taste", "feeling", and "experience" in Chinese.
Chinese (Traditional)味道
In Cantonese, "味道" (weih dau) can also mean "interesting" or "unique".
Japaneseフレーバー
フレーバー is an English loanword in Japanese, derived from the French word "flaveur" and ultimately from the Latin word "fragrance".
Korean
"맛" can also mean "interest" or "taste" in Korean.
Mongolianамт
"Амт" also translates to "taste" (sense) and "smell" (sense).
Myanmar (Burmese)အရသာ
"အရသာ" can also refer to "enjoyment, delight" and "interesting facts or ideas."

Flavor in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianrasa
The word "rasa" has multiple meanings in Indonesian, including "taste", "feeling", and "emotion".
Javaneseroso
The Javanese word "roso" can also refer to a person's mood or disposition.
Khmerរសជាតិ
The word "រសជាតិ" in Khmer is derived from the Sanskrit word "rasasvada" and also means "taste" or "enjoyment".
Laoລົດຊາດ
Malayrasa
The Malay word "rasa" can also refer to one's sense of feeling, emotion, or intuition.
Thaiรส
The word "รส" also means "sense" or "feeling" in Thai, and is derived from the Sanskrit word "rasa".
Vietnamesehương vị
"Hương vị" is also used to refer to the "essence" or "spirit" of something.
Filipino (Tagalog)lasa

Flavor in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniləzzət
The word "ləzzət" is derived from the Arabic word "ladhdhah" meaning "delight" or "pleasure".
Kazakhдәм
The word "дәм" in Kazakh can also mean "breath" or "aroma"
Kyrgyzдаам
The Kyrgyz word "даам" is cognate with the Turkish word "dam" meaning "taste, palate, flavor".
Tajikмазза
The word "мазза" can also mean a "small ball" (especially a dumpling), "bait", or "a way of cooking food that involves baking bread wrapped in grape leaves".
Turkmentagam
Uzbeklazzat
In Uzbek, "lazzat" shares its origin with the Persian word for "enjoyment" and is used both as a noun and an adjective to describe something enjoyable or pleasurable.
Uyghurتەم

Flavor in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianʻono
'Ono literally translates to "something that tastes good," but it can also be used to express satisfaction or approval of almost anything, similar to the English expressions "yummy" or "awesome."
Maori
Hā can also refer to breath, life or spirit in a wider sense, or to an odor or perfume.
Samoantofo
The word "tofo" can also refer to the smell or fragrance of something.
Tagalog (Filipino)lasa
The Tagalog word 'lasa' also denotes a 'taste' or 'relish', and is derived from the Malay 'rasa', meaning 'perception'

Flavor in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarasawurani
Guaranisabor rehegua

Flavor in International Languages

Esperantogusto
"Gusto" in Esperanto can also mean "enthusiasm" or "joy".
Latinflavor
The word "flavor" derives from the Latin "flagrare," meaning both "to smell" and "to burn."

Flavor in Others Languages

Greekγεύση
"Γεύση" also refers to the experience, sensation, or knowledge of something, as a "taste" in art or philosophy.
Hmongtsw
The word "tsw" has the same Proto-Hmong-Mien root as "tshu"
Kurdishtam
"Tam" refers to both the sweetening substance, such as sugar or honey, and the emotional sense of sweetness or fondness.
Turkishlezzet
The word "lezzet" in Turkish originally meant "pleasure" or "enjoyment", and only later came to mean "flavor".
Xhosaincasa
The word "incasa" in Xhosa is also used to describe someone who is good-natured, hospitable, and approachable.
Yiddishטעם
In Yiddish, "טעם" (tayem) has the additional meanings of "sense" or "reason".
Zuluukunambitheka
"ukunambitheka" also means "to taste" or "to have a flavor" in Zulu.
Assameseসোৱাদ
Aymarasawurani
Bhojpuriस्वाद के बा
Dhivehiރަހަ
Dogriस्वाद दा
Filipino (Tagalog)lasa
Guaranisabor rehegua
Ilocanoraman
Krioflawa we gɛt flawa
Kurdish (Sorani)تام
Maithiliस्वाद
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯃꯁꯛ ꯊꯣꯀꯄꯥ꯫
Mizoflavor a ni
Oromomi’aa
Odia (Oriya)ସ୍ୱାଦ
Quechuasabor
Sanskritस्वादः
Tatarтәм
Tigrinyaመኣዛ
Tsonganantswo wa nantswo

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