Friendship in different languages

Friendship in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

Friendship is a universal concept that transcends language and culture. It signifies a relationship of mutual affection, trust, and respect between two or more people. The significance of friendship is evident in its cultural importance across the globe. From ancient philosophers to modern-day psychologists, the value of friendship has been widely recognized and celebrated.

Moreover, understanding the translation of friendship in different languages can provide insight into the unique cultural perspectives on this fundamental human experience. For instance, the German word for friendship, 'Freundschaft,' emphasizes the equality and reciprocity inherent in the relationship. Meanwhile, the Chinese character for friendship, '朋友,' combines the characters for 'friend' and 'you,' highlighting the importance of mutuality and shared experience.

With this in mind, exploring the translations of friendship in various languages can be a fascinating journey into the heart of human connection and cultural diversity. So, let's delve into the many ways that different languages express this essential aspect of the human experience.

Friendship


Friendship in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansvriendskap
Vriendskap also means friendly relations between countries or groups.
Amharicጓደኝነት
"ጓደኝነት" is also used to refer to a bond of blood brotherhood that requires the participants to share a meal, exchange crosses as a sign of the relationship, and perform other rituals.
Hausaabota
Abota in Hausa is also used as a term of endearment, typically between close friends or family members.
Igboọbụbụenyi
The Igbo word “ọbụbụenyi” can also refer to a covenant, alliance, or kinship.
Malagasynamana
Despite its similarities to 'friend' and 'friendship' in many languages, the Malagasy word 'namana' is thought to originate from the Malay word for 'agreement'
Nyanja (Chichewa)ubwenzi
In some contexts, ubwenzi can also mean "hospitality" or "kindred; kinship."
Shonaushamwari
The term 'ushamwari' can also mean 'loyalty' or 'trust'.
Somalisaaxiibtinimo
This Somali word for "friendship" originates from the word "saaxiib," meaning "friend."
Sesothosetswalle
The word "setswalle" in Sesotho shares its etymological root with the word "swala", meaning "to love".
Swahiliurafiki
"Urafiki" comes from the verb "-rafiki" (accompany), and initially denoted the reciprocal act of accompanying each other.
Xhosaubuhlobo
"Ubuholobo" comes from the concept of a rope linking the families of the two people, the rope being an enduring symbol of the deep connection.
Yorubaore
The Yoruba word 'ore' comes from the word 'o re', meaning 'to accompany'.
Zuluubungani
Ubungani, 'friendship' in Zulu, traces its roots to 'ukubunga' ('to flower')
Bambarateriya
Ewexɔlɔ̃wɔwɔ
Kinyarwandaubucuti
Lingalaboninga
Lugandaomukwaano
Sepedisegwera
Twi (Akan)ayɔnkoyɛ

Friendship in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicصداقة
The word "صداقة" is derived from the root word "صد" meaning "sincerity, truthfulness".
Hebrewחֲבֵרוּת
The word "חֲבֵרוּת" (friendship) is also used in Biblical Hebrew to refer to a group of people who have entered into a covenant or treaty.
Pashtoملګرتیا
ملګرتیا can also mean "accompaniment" or "assistance".
Arabicصداقة
The word "صداقة" is derived from the root word "صد" meaning "sincerity, truthfulness".

Friendship in Western European Languages

Albanianmiqësia
Miqësia comes from the Greek for 'mixture', highlighting a deep bond between friends.
Basqueadiskidetasuna
"Adiskidetasuna" means "friendship" in Basque, deriving from the word "bide" (way) and the suffix "-tasuna" (state), referring to shared paths and experiences.
Catalanamistat
Amistat, Catalan for 'friendship', can also refer to 'alliance' or 'affinity'
Croatianprijateljstvo
The Croatian word 'prijateljstvo' originally meant 'assistance in battle' and is related to the word 'prijatelj' (friend), meaning 'a helper'.
Danishvenskab
Venskab is a compound word consisting of the Old Norse words vin (friend) and skab (affinity).
Dutchvriendschap
The word
Englishfriendship
"Friendship" derives from an Old English term meaning 'free love'—an affection that exists outside societal constraints.
Frenchrelation amicale
In French, "relation amicale" means "friendship," but it can also be used to describe a "familiar relationship"
Frisianfreonskip
Galicianamizade
"Amizade" comes from the Latin word "amicitia", which also means "friendship".
Germanfreundschaft
The word "Freundschaft" is derived from the Old High German word "friuntschaft," which literally means "joy-ship."
Icelandicvinátta
The Icelandic word "vinátta" derives from the Old Norse verb "vinna"," meaning to gain or earn.
Irishcairdeas
Cairdeas derives from "cara," meaning "a love."
Italianamicizia
The word "amicizia" in Italian is derived from the Latin word "amicitia," which also means "love" or "affection."
Luxembourgishfrëndschaft
The word 'Frëndschaft' is derived from the Old High German word 'friunt', meaning 'beloved one' or 'kinsman'.
Malteseħbiberija
"Ħbiberija" derives from the verb "ħabb" ("to love"), and can also refer to affection, camaraderie, rapport, or attachment.
Norwegianvennskap
Vennskap, or friendship in norwegian, comes from the old norse word vinr, which means friend or lover.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)amizade
The word "amizade" is derived from the Latin word "amicitia", meaning "affection, goodwill". It can also refer to a close relationship between two people.
Scots Gaeliccàirdeas
The Gaelic word “càirdeas” (pronounced “car-jus”) is cognate to the Welsh “kārdas,” which also means “friendship” and is derived from the Latin word “carus,” meaning “dear” or “precious.”
Spanishamistad
The word 'amistad' derives from the Latin word 'amicitia,' which means 'friendship,' 'love,' or 'affection.'
Swedishvänskap
The word "vänskap" comes from the Old Norse word "vinnskapr", meaning "love relationship".
Welshcyfeillgarwch
The word "cyfeillgarwch" in Welsh literally means "comradeship" or "companionship" and also implies a sense of mutual support and affection.

Friendship in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianсяброўства
"Сяброўства" is based on the Old Slavonic word "съборъ", meaning "community", "gathering".
Bosnianprijateljstvo
The Bosnian word "prijateljstvo" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "prijatele" which means "friend".
Bulgarianприятелство
The word "приятелство" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *prijatelь, meaning "friend" or "companion".
Czechpřátelství
The word "přátelství" is derived from the Old Czech word "přieti", meaning "to favor" or "to befriend".
Estoniansõprus
The word "sõprus" also means "brotherhood" and is cognate with the Finnish word "ystävyys".
Finnishystävyys
The word "ystävyys" derives from the Proto-Finnic word "ystävä" meaning "friend" and the suffix "-ys" indicating abstractness, denoting the state of being a friend.
Hungarianbarátság
The word is composed of the Hungarian words "barát" (brother) and "ság" (status, state), reflecting the importance of brothers-in-arms in Hungarian history.
Latviandraudzība
The Latvian word "draudzība" can also mean "accord" or "amity".
Lithuaniandraugystė
The word "Draugystė" comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰreuǵh-, meaning "to deceive" or "to trust".
Macedonianпријателство
In Macedonian, the word "пријателство" can refer to either "friendship" or "camaraderie", depending on the context.
Polishprzyjaźń
The word "przyjaźń" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *prijatelji, meaning "friendliness" or "goodwill."
Romanianprietenie
Romanian "prietenie" cognate with French "amitié" and Italian "amicizia" all tracing back to Latin "amicitia"
Russianдружба
The word "дружба" is cognate with other славянские languages words, like "други" (friends in Old Church Slavonic) but also shares the same root "друг" with the word "друг" meaning "other" in other славянские languages (e.g. "druhý" in Slovak).
Serbianпријатељство
The word 'prijateljstvo' is closely related to 'prijat' ('pleasant') and 'prijati' ('to enjoy'), emphasizing the positive and enjoyable nature of friendship.
Slovakpriateľstvo
The word 'priateľstvo' comes from the Proto-Slavic word 'prijateljь', meaning 'friend' or 'companion', and is related to the word 'prijat' meaning 'to accept' or 'to receive'.
Slovenianprijateljstvo
"Prijateljstvo" ultimately stems from the Proto-Indo-European word "/preh2y-" for "close" or "next", as in the first person "pr(i)".
Ukrainianдружба
The word "дружба" can also mean "companionship" or "fraternity" in the Ukrainian language.

Friendship in South Asian Languages

Bengaliবন্ধুত্ব
বন্ধুত্ব originates from the Sanskrit word 'bandhu,' which signifies a 'kinship bond' and 'affectionate relationship' between individuals beyond familial ties.
Gujaratiમિત્રતા
Hindiमित्रता
The masculine form of the word "मित्रता" is "मित्र", meaning "friend" or "ally".
Kannadaಸ್ನೇಹಕ್ಕಾಗಿ
The word 'ಸ್ನೇಹಕ್ಕಾಗಿ' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'स्नेह' (sneha), which means 'affection' or 'attachment'.
Malayalamസൗഹൃദം
The word സൗഹൃദം, derived from Sanskrit and Prakrit, signifies a bond not just between individuals but also between communities, institutions, and even between humans and animals.
Marathiमैत्री
मैत्री can also mean 'alliance' or 'pact' in Marathi.
Nepaliमित्रता
"मित्रता" is derived from the Sanskrit word "mitra," which also means "friend," "companion," or "ally."
Punjabiਦੋਸਤੀ
The word 'ਦੋਸਤੀ' originates from the Sanskrit word 'dosti' meaning 'union' or 'relationship', and is also related to the Persian word 'dust' meaning 'friend' or 'companion'.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)මිත්රත්වය
The Sinhala word "මිත්රත්වය" (mithrathvaya) derives from the Sanskrit word "मित्रत्व" (mitratva), meaning not only "friendship" but also "alliance, confederacy, or union."
Tamilநட்பு
The term “நட்பு” is believed to have derived from the Sanskrit term “snēham”, which signifies a strong bond of attachment, fondness, or affection between two people.
Teluguస్నేహం
In some contexts, "స్నేహం" can also refer to love or affection, particularly in the context of a romantic relationship.
Urduدوستی
The word 'دوستی' in Urdu also means 'the state of being beloved or liked by someone' and 'mutual affection between two people'.

Friendship in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)友谊
友谊, in Chinese, originally means friendship and can also be translated to “a friend’s friendship” or “friendship among friends”.
Chinese (Traditional)友誼
In Chinese, 友誼, literally meaning "friendship", also carries the connotations of "harmony" and "mutual aid."
Japanese友情
The word "友" (ゆう) in "友情" (ゆうじょう) also means "alliance" or "comrade", a reflection of friendship's deep bonds.
Korean우정
"우정" is derived from the two Hanja characters "友" (friend) and "情" (feeling), reflecting the emotional bonds formed in friendship.
Mongolianнөхөрлөл
The word "нөхөрлөл" in Mongolian can also mean "kinship" or "companionship".
Myanmar (Burmese)ချစ်သူ
In the past, ချစ်သူ primarily meant "friendship", but now it has also come to refer to "romance."

Friendship in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianpersahabatan
The word "persahabatan" in Indonesian is derived from the Sanskrit word "sahabat", meaning "friend" or "companion"
Javanesekekancan
The word "kekancan" is derived from the word "kanca" which means "friend" in Javanese.
Khmerមិត្តភាព
The word "មិត្តភាព" is derived from the Pali word "metti" meaning "loving-kindness" and the Sanskrit word "bhāva" meaning "state" or "condition."
Laoມິດຕະພາບ
The word "mittaphap" is derived from the Pali word "mitta" (friend) and the Sanskrit word "bhava" (becoming or state of being), implying a state of being in which one has friends.
Malaypersahabatan
The word 'persahabatan' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'sahabat' which means 'friend' or 'companion'.
Thaiมิตรภาพ
The word มิตรภาพ (friendship) in Thai is derived from the Sanskrit word 'mitra', meaning 'friend' or 'ally'.
Vietnamesehữu nghị
The word "hữu nghị" in Vietnamese can alternately refer to a type of international cooperation with equal standing between independent states.
Filipino (Tagalog)pagkakaibigan

Friendship in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanidostluq
The Azeri word “dostluq” (meaning "friendship") is related to the Turkic verb "dostamaq," meaning "to make someone one's friend."
Kazakhдостық
The word "достық" is derived from the Old Kazakh word "дост" meaning "a relative or a close friend".
Kyrgyzдостук
In Kyrgyz, "достук" has an alternate meaning of "close relative" and is related to the Turkic word "dos" ("friend, comrade").
Tajikдӯстӣ
The word "дӯстӣ" in Tajik is derived from the Persian word "دوستی" (دوستی), which originally meant "affection, love, or friendship".
Turkmendostluk
Uzbekdo'stlik
The word "do'stlik" also means "friendship" in Uzbek, and is derived from the Persian word "دوستی" (dusti), meaning "friendship".
Uyghurدوستلۇق

Friendship in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianaloha
Aloha is also used as a greeting, goodbye, and farewell in Hawaiian culture.
Maoriwhakahoahoa
"Whakahoahoa" originates from the Maori term "hoa," meaning "friend" or "companion."
Samoanfaigauo
The word "faigauo" in Samoan can also refer to a close relationship between two people, similar to the concept of "soulmates".
Tagalog (Filipino)pagkakaibigan
"Pagkakaibigan" is also a Tagalog word that means "friendship" and literally means "connection of life".

Friendship in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaramasi
Guaranitekoayhu

Friendship in International Languages

Esperantoamikeco
The Esperanto word "amikeco" derives from the French word "amitié" and shares its root with the Latin word "amicitia."
Latinamicitia
In Latin, "amicitia" also refers to a "legal bond" or a "treaty" between two parties.

Friendship in Others Languages

Greekφιλία
The Greek term "φιλία" encompasses various meanings, including "affection," "intimacy," and even "love," showcasing the multifaceted nature of friendship in Greek culture.
Hmongkev ua phooj ywg
Kurdishdostî
Dostî (friendship) comes from the Avestan word daosti, meaning "faithfulness" or "fidelity."
Turkishdostluk
The term "dostluk" originates from the Persian language, where the word "dost" means companion, helper or close friend.
Xhosaubuhlobo
"Ubuholobo" comes from the concept of a rope linking the families of the two people, the rope being an enduring symbol of the deep connection.
Yiddishפרענדשיפּ
The Yiddish word "פרענדשיפּ" ("friendship") is borrowed from the German word "Freundschaft," ultimately deriving from the Proto-Indo-European root *pri-, meaning "beloved."
Zuluubungani
Ubungani, 'friendship' in Zulu, traces its roots to 'ukubunga' ('to flower')
Assameseবন্ধুত্ব
Aymaramasi
Bhojpuriईयारी
Dhivehiރަހުމަތްތެރިކަން
Dogriदोस्ती
Filipino (Tagalog)pagkakaibigan
Guaranitekoayhu
Ilocanopannakigayyem
Kriopadi biznɛs
Kurdish (Sorani)هاوڕێیەتی
Maithiliमित्रता
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯃꯔꯨꯞ ꯃꯄꯥꯡꯒꯤ ꯑꯣꯏꯕ ꯃꯔꯤ
Mizointhianthatna
Oromohiriyummaa
Odia (Oriya)ବନ୍ଧୁତା
Quechuaruna kuyay
Sanskritमित्रता
Tatarдуслык
Tigrinyaምሕዝነት
Tsongavunghana

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