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
| Afrikaans | vriendskap | ||
| Vriendskap also means friendly relations between countries or groups. | |||
| Amharic | ጓደኝነት | ||
| "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. | |||
| Hausa | abota | ||
| Abota in Hausa is also used as a term of endearment, typically between close friends or family members. | |||
| Igbo | ọbụbụenyi | ||
| The Igbo word “ọbụbụenyi” can also refer to a covenant, alliance, or kinship. | |||
| Malagasy | namana | ||
| 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." | |||
| Shona | ushamwari | ||
| The term 'ushamwari' can also mean 'loyalty' or 'trust'. | |||
| Somali | saaxiibtinimo | ||
| This Somali word for "friendship" originates from the word "saaxiib," meaning "friend." | |||
| Sesotho | setswalle | ||
| The word "setswalle" in Sesotho shares its etymological root with the word "swala", meaning "to love". | |||
| Swahili | urafiki | ||
| "Urafiki" comes from the verb "-rafiki" (accompany), and initially denoted the reciprocal act of accompanying each other. | |||
| Xhosa | ubuhlobo | ||
| "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. | |||
| Yoruba | ore | ||
| The Yoruba word 'ore' comes from the word 'o re', meaning 'to accompany'. | |||
| Zulu | ubungani | ||
| Ubungani, 'friendship' in Zulu, traces its roots to 'ukubunga' ('to flower') | |||
| Bambara | teriya | ||
| Ewe | xɔlɔ̃wɔwɔ | ||
| Kinyarwanda | ubucuti | ||
| Lingala | boninga | ||
| Luganda | omukwaano | ||
| Sepedi | segwera | ||
| Twi (Akan) | ayɔnkoyɛ | ||
Friendship in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | صداقة | ||
| The word "صداقة" is derived from the root word "صد" meaning "sincerity, truthfulness". | |||
| Hebrew | חֲבֵרוּת | ||
| 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. | |||
| Pashto | ملګرتیا | ||
| ملګرتیا can also mean "accompaniment" or "assistance". | |||
| Arabic | صداقة | ||
| The word "صداقة" is derived from the root word "صد" meaning "sincerity, truthfulness". | |||
Friendship in Western European Languages
| Albanian | miqësia | ||
| Miqësia comes from the Greek for 'mixture', highlighting a deep bond between friends. | |||
| Basque | adiskidetasuna | ||
| "Adiskidetasuna" means "friendship" in Basque, deriving from the word "bide" (way) and the suffix "-tasuna" (state), referring to shared paths and experiences. | |||
| Catalan | amistat | ||
| Amistat, Catalan for 'friendship', can also refer to 'alliance' or 'affinity' | |||
| Croatian | prijateljstvo | ||
| The Croatian word 'prijateljstvo' originally meant 'assistance in battle' and is related to the word 'prijatelj' (friend), meaning 'a helper'. | |||
| Danish | venskab | ||
| Venskab is a compound word consisting of the Old Norse words vin (friend) and skab (affinity). | |||
| Dutch | vriendschap | ||
| The word | |||
| English | friendship | ||
| "Friendship" derives from an Old English term meaning 'free love'—an affection that exists outside societal constraints. | |||
| French | relation amicale | ||
| In French, "relation amicale" means "friendship," but it can also be used to describe a "familiar relationship" | |||
| Frisian | freonskip | ||
| Galician | amizade | ||
| "Amizade" comes from the Latin word "amicitia", which also means "friendship". | |||
| German | freundschaft | ||
| The word "Freundschaft" is derived from the Old High German word "friuntschaft," which literally means "joy-ship." | |||
| Icelandic | vinátta | ||
| The Icelandic word "vinátta" derives from the Old Norse verb "vinna"," meaning to gain or earn. | |||
| Irish | cairdeas | ||
| Cairdeas derives from "cara," meaning "a love." | |||
| Italian | amicizia | ||
| The word "amicizia" in Italian is derived from the Latin word "amicitia," which also means "love" or "affection." | |||
| Luxembourgish | frëndschaft | ||
| The word 'Frëndschaft' is derived from the Old High German word 'friunt', meaning 'beloved one' or 'kinsman'. | |||
| Maltese | ħbiberija | ||
| "Ħbiberija" derives from the verb "ħabb" ("to love"), and can also refer to affection, camaraderie, rapport, or attachment. | |||
| Norwegian | vennskap | ||
| 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 Gaelic | càirdeas | ||
| 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.” | |||
| Spanish | amistad | ||
| The word 'amistad' derives from the Latin word 'amicitia,' which means 'friendship,' 'love,' or 'affection.' | |||
| Swedish | vänskap | ||
| The word "vänskap" comes from the Old Norse word "vinnskapr", meaning "love relationship". | |||
| Welsh | cyfeillgarwch | ||
| 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
| Belarusian | сяброўства | ||
| "Сяброўства" is based on the Old Slavonic word "съборъ", meaning "community", "gathering". | |||
| Bosnian | prijateljstvo | ||
| The Bosnian word "prijateljstvo" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "prijatele" which means "friend". | |||
| Bulgarian | приятелство | ||
| The word "приятелство" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *prijatelь, meaning "friend" or "companion". | |||
| Czech | přátelství | ||
| The word "přátelství" is derived from the Old Czech word "přieti", meaning "to favor" or "to befriend". | |||
| Estonian | sõprus | ||
| The word "sõprus" also means "brotherhood" and is cognate with the Finnish word "ystävyys". | |||
| Finnish | ystävyys | ||
| 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. | |||
| Hungarian | barátság | ||
| The word is composed of the Hungarian words "barát" (brother) and "ság" (status, state), reflecting the importance of brothers-in-arms in Hungarian history. | |||
| Latvian | draudzība | ||
| The Latvian word "draudzība" can also mean "accord" or "amity". | |||
| Lithuanian | draugystė | ||
| The word "Draugystė" comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰreuǵh-, meaning "to deceive" or "to trust". | |||
| Macedonian | пријателство | ||
| In Macedonian, the word "пријателство" can refer to either "friendship" or "camaraderie", depending on the context. | |||
| Polish | przyjaźń | ||
| The word "przyjaźń" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *prijatelji, meaning "friendliness" or "goodwill." | |||
| Romanian | prietenie | ||
| Romanian "prietenie" cognate with French "amitié" and Italian "amicizia" all tracing back to Latin "amicitia" | |||
| Russian | дружба | ||
| 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). | |||
| Serbian | пријатељство | ||
| The word 'prijateljstvo' is closely related to 'prijat' ('pleasant') and 'prijati' ('to enjoy'), emphasizing the positive and enjoyable nature of friendship. | |||
| Slovak | priateľstvo | ||
| 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'. | |||
| Slovenian | prijateljstvo | ||
| "Prijateljstvo" ultimately stems from the Proto-Indo-European word "/preh2y-" for "close" or "next", as in the first person "pr(i)". | |||
| Ukrainian | дружба | ||
| The word "дружба" can also mean "companionship" or "fraternity" in the Ukrainian language. | |||
Friendship in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | বন্ধুত্ব | ||
| বন্ধুত্ব originates from the Sanskrit word 'bandhu,' which signifies a 'kinship bond' and 'affectionate relationship' between individuals beyond familial ties. | |||
| Gujarati | મિત્રતા | ||
| Hindi | मित्रता | ||
| The masculine form of the word "मित्रता" is "मित्र", meaning "friend" or "ally". | |||
| Kannada | ಸ್ನೇಹಕ್ಕಾಗಿ | ||
| The word 'ಸ್ನೇಹಕ್ಕಾಗಿ' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'स्नेह' (sneha), which means 'affection' or 'attachment'. | |||
| Malayalam | സൗഹൃദം | ||
| 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. | |||
| Marathi | मैत्री | ||
| मैत्री can also mean 'alliance' or 'pact' in Marathi. | |||
| Nepali | मित्रता | ||
| "मित्रता" is derived from the Sanskrit word "mitra," which also means "friend," "companion," or "ally." | |||
| Punjabi | ਦੋਸਤੀ | ||
| 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." | |||
| Tamil | நட்பு | ||
| 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. | |||
| Telugu | స్నేహం | ||
| In some contexts, "స్నేహం" can also refer to love or affection, particularly in the context of a romantic relationship. | |||
| Urdu | دوستی | ||
| 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. | |||
| Korean | 우정 | ||
| "우정" is derived from the two Hanja characters "友" (friend) and "情" (feeling), reflecting the emotional bonds formed in friendship. | |||
| Mongolian | нөхөрлөл | ||
| 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
| Indonesian | persahabatan | ||
| The word "persahabatan" in Indonesian is derived from the Sanskrit word "sahabat", meaning "friend" or "companion" | |||
| Javanese | kekancan | ||
| The word "kekancan" is derived from the word "kanca" which means "friend" in Javanese. | |||
| Khmer | មិត្តភាព | ||
| The word "មិត្តភាព" is derived from the Pali word "metti" meaning "loving-kindness" and the Sanskrit word "bhāva" meaning "state" or "condition." | |||
| Lao | ມິດຕະພາບ | ||
| 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. | |||
| Malay | persahabatan | ||
| The word 'persahabatan' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'sahabat' which means 'friend' or 'companion'. | |||
| Thai | มิตรภาพ | ||
| The word มิตรภาพ (friendship) in Thai is derived from the Sanskrit word 'mitra', meaning 'friend' or 'ally'. | |||
| Vietnamese | hữu 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
| Azerbaijani | dostluq | ||
| The Azeri word “dostluq” (meaning "friendship") is related to the Turkic verb "dostamaq," meaning "to make someone one's friend." | |||
| Kazakh | достық | ||
| The word "достық" is derived from the Old Kazakh word "дост" meaning "a relative or a close friend". | |||
| Kyrgyz | достук | ||
| In Kyrgyz, "достук" has an alternate meaning of "close relative" and is related to the Turkic word "dos" ("friend, comrade"). | |||
| Tajik | дӯстӣ | ||
| The word "дӯстӣ" in Tajik is derived from the Persian word "دوستی" (دوستی), which originally meant "affection, love, or friendship". | |||
| Turkmen | dostluk | ||
| Uzbek | do'stlik | ||
| The word "do'stlik" also means "friendship" in Uzbek, and is derived from the Persian word "دوستی" (dusti), meaning "friendship". | |||
| Uyghur | دوستلۇق | ||
Friendship in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | aloha | ||
| Aloha is also used as a greeting, goodbye, and farewell in Hawaiian culture. | |||
| Maori | whakahoahoa | ||
| "Whakahoahoa" originates from the Maori term "hoa," meaning "friend" or "companion." | |||
| Samoan | faigauo | ||
| 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
| Aymara | masi | ||
| Guarani | tekoayhu | ||
Friendship in International Languages
| Esperanto | amikeco | ||
| The Esperanto word "amikeco" derives from the French word "amitié" and shares its root with the Latin word "amicitia." | |||
| Latin | amicitia | ||
| In Latin, "amicitia" also refers to a "legal bond" or a "treaty" between two parties. | |||
Friendship in Others Languages
| Greek | φιλία | ||
| The Greek term "φιλία" encompasses various meanings, including "affection," "intimacy," and even "love," showcasing the multifaceted nature of friendship in Greek culture. | |||
| Hmong | kev ua phooj ywg | ||
| Kurdish | dostî | ||
| Dostî (friendship) comes from the Avestan word daosti, meaning "faithfulness" or "fidelity." | |||
| Turkish | dostluk | ||
| The term "dostluk" originates from the Persian language, where the word "dost" means companion, helper or close friend. | |||
| Xhosa | ubuhlobo | ||
| "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. | |||
| Yiddish | פרענדשיפּ | ||
| The Yiddish word "פרענדשיפּ" ("friendship") is borrowed from the German word "Freundschaft," ultimately deriving from the Proto-Indo-European root *pri-, meaning "beloved." | |||
| Zulu | ubungani | ||
| Ubungani, 'friendship' in Zulu, traces its roots to 'ukubunga' ('to flower') | |||
| Assamese | বন্ধুত্ব | ||
| Aymara | masi | ||
| Bhojpuri | ईयारी | ||
| Dhivehi | ރަހުމަތްތެރިކަން | ||
| Dogri | दोस्ती | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | pagkakaibigan | ||
| Guarani | tekoayhu | ||
| Ilocano | pannakigayyem | ||
| Krio | padi biznɛs | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | هاوڕێیەتی | ||
| Maithili | मित्रता | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯃꯔꯨꯞ ꯃꯄꯥꯡꯒꯤ ꯑꯣꯏꯕ ꯃꯔꯤ | ||
| Mizo | inthianthatna | ||
| Oromo | hiriyummaa | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ବନ୍ଧୁତା | ||
| Quechua | runa kuyay | ||
| Sanskrit | मित्रता | ||
| Tatar | дуслык | ||
| Tigrinya | ምሕዝነት | ||
| Tsonga | vunghana | ||