General in different languages

General in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'general' holds a significant place in our vocabulary, denoting something that is applicable to all cases or situations. It's a term of broadness and inclusivity, often used to describe things that are not specific or specialized. This cultural importance extends beyond English-speaking nations, as the concept of generality is universal and recognized in various languages worldwide.

Moreover, understanding the translation of 'general' in different languages can be a gateway to appreciating the nuances of various cultures. For instance, the term translates to 'allgemein' in German, 'général' in French, and 'general' in Spanish, each reflecting the linguistic and cultural contexts of their respective communities.

So, whether you're a language enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or someone who appreciates the beauty of words, delving into the translations of 'general' can be an enlightening journey. Let's explore these translations together.

General

General in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansalgemeen
Afrikaans "algemeen" derives from Dutch "algemeen" meaning "common" and is cognate with English "common" and "allege" (to assert publicly).
Amharicአጠቃላይ
The Amharic word "አጠቃላይ" (general) is derived from the verb "ጠቀለ" (to collect, to gather together), likely referring to the role of generals as overseers or leaders of a collective.
Hausajanar
The Hausa word "janar" is derived from the Arabic word "jeneral" and can also mean "commander" or "leader".
Igboizugbe
The word "izugbe" is an Igbo word that has different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. It can mean "general" in some contexts, but it can also mean "leader", "head", or "chief" in other contexts.
Malagasygeneral
The Malagasy word for "general" is "jeneraly" and can also mean "master" or "leader".
Nyanja (Chichewa)ambiri
In Nyanja (Chichewa), “ambiri” may also refer to the head of a village or a supervisor, underscoring the hierarchical responsibilities of a general.
Shonageneral
The Shona word "general" (jenari) can also refer to a "lieutenant general" or "major general".
Somaliguud
Somalis use the term 'guud' in a number of different contexts, each with its own distinct meaning.
Sesothoka kakaretso
In some contexts, the word "ka kakaretso" can also refer to a military commander or a leader in general.
Swahilijumla
The word "jumla" entered Swahili from Arabic and initially meant "number" or "collection" before also taking on the meaning of "general" in the military sense.
Xhosangokubanzi
Etymology unknown; also means 'one of many' or 'a person of considerable authority or influence'.
Yorubagbogboogbo
The word "gbogboogbo" in Yoruba can also mean "widespread", "thorough", or "extensive".
Zulujikelele
Some believe the word "jikelele" is derived from the phrase "isikali selikhulu", meaning "great weapon".
Bambarazenerali
Ewegbadza
Kinyarwandarusange
Lingalambala mingi
Lugandaokutwaaliza awamu
Sepedikakaretšo
Twi (Akan)daa daa

General in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicجنرال لواء
The word "جنرال لواء" (general) is derived from the Persian word "سردار" (leader of an army).
Hebrewכללי
The Hebrew word "כללי" (general) shares its root with "כלל" (rule), emphasizing its role in establishing and enforcing norms.
Pashtoعمومي
The Pashto word "عمومي" ("general") also means "universal" or "public".
Arabicجنرال لواء
The word "جنرال لواء" (general) is derived from the Persian word "سردار" (leader of an army).

General in Western European Languages

Albaniangjeneral
The word "gjeneral" in Albanian comes from the French word "général", which ultimately derives from the Latin word "generālis" meaning "of a kind" or "common".
Basqueorokorra
In Basque, the word
Catalangeneral
Catalan "general" derives from the Latin "generalis" and also means "ordinary" or "common".
Croatianopćenito
The word "Općenito" in Croatian can also refer to the "general public" or "in general".
Danishgenerel
While spelled "generel" in Danish, the word is pronounced "general" and has all the same meanings as the word in English.
Dutchalgemeen
In the context of the Dutch language, "algemeen" can also refer to a general assembly or a generalization.
Englishgeneral
The word "general" shares the same root with "genus" and "generate", indicating a wide-ranging or encompassing nature.
Frenchgénéral
"Général" in French can also refer to a person in charge of a group of people or to the overall nature of something.
Frisianalgemien
The Frisian word "algemien" is most likely of French origin, deriving from the French word "algémene," meaning "universal, general."
Galicianxeral
The word "xeral" in Galician can also refer to a type of traditional Galician farmhouse or a type of chestnut tree.
Germanallgemeines
The word "Allgemeines" can also refer to the general public, general affairs, or general information.
Icelandicalmennt
The word 'almennt' can also mean 'public' or 'common' and is related to the Old Norse word 'almenningr' meaning 'common to all'.
Irishginearálta
The Irish word "ginearálta" derives from the Latin "generalis", meaning "pertaining to the whole".
Italiangenerale
"Generale" in Italian can also mean "generic" or "total".
Luxembourgishallgemeng
While "allgemeng" in Luxembourgish means "general", it originates from the Old High German word "algemeine", whose root "gemain" meant "community".
Malteseġenerali
Maltese 'ġenerali' derives from the Italian 'generale' and can also mean 'in general'.
Norwegiangenerell
"Generell" is an umbrella term that encompasses the meanings of "universal", "all-inclusive", and "generalizing".
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)geral
In Portuguese, "geral" can also mean "common" or "universal".
Scots Gaeliccoitcheann
"Coitcheann" can also refer to "commonplace" or "common interest," and ultimately derives from the Latin word "communis," meaning "shared among a community."
Spanishgeneral
The Spanish word "general" comes from the Latin "generalis," meaning "of a kind" or "common."
Swedishallmän
In Swedish, "allmän" can also mean "common", "public" or "universal" depending on the context and its usage.
Welshcyffredinol
The word "cyffredinol" in Welsh has an alternate meaning of "universal".

General in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianагульны
Bosniangeneralno
The word 'generalno' has an alternate meaning in Bosnian, referring to something that is 'overall' or 'in general'.
Bulgarianобщ
"Общ" in Bulgarian can mean "common" or "total".
Czechvšeobecné
“Všeobecné” is also used in Czech for “universal” or “all-purpose.”
Estonianüldine
The word "üldine" is derived from the Proto-Finnic word *yle, meaning "higher, upper, over, above", and is related to the Finnish word "yleinen" and the Karelian word "yleine".
Finnishyleinen
The word "yleinen" can also refer to "public", such as "yleinen tie" ("public road").
Hungariantábornok
The word "Tábornok" derives from the Turkish word "Teftirden" meaning "head of the troop list".
Latvianvispārīgi
Vispārīgi originates from Old Slavic “obshtĭ” which is the root for “community”; in Russian “vo obshih chertakh” means the same as English “broadly speaking.”
Lithuaniangenerolas
The Lithuanian word "generolas" comes from the German "General",
Macedonianгенерал
It derives from the French, Italian and Latin
Polishgenerał
The word "generał" in Polish also means "admiral" and comes from the Latin word "generalis" meaning "common" or "universal".
Romaniangeneral
"General" (general) originated from the French word "général" and the Latin noun "genus" meaning "race" or "kind."
Russianгенеральная
The word "Генеральная" has a number of meanings and roots in Old Church Slavonic, Proto-Slavic, and Greek that encompass leadership, public assembly, and military matters.
Serbianгенерал
The word 'Генерал' is derived from the Latin word 'generalis', meaning 'general' or 'universal'.
Slovakvšeobecne
The word "všeobecne" can also mean "universal" or "common" in Slovak.
Sloveniansplošno
The term 'splošno', though most often translated as 'general', can also denote 'widespread', or 'common'
Ukrainianзагальний
The word "загальний" can also mean "common" or "universal" in Ukrainian.

General in South Asian Languages

Bengaliসাধারণ
"সাধারণ" can be a noun meaning "community, society, or world" or an adjective meaning "ordinary, or common."
Gujaratiસામાન્ય
સામાન્ય (general) is derived from the Latin word 'generalis', meaning 'of all kinds', and is also an alternative form of 'ordinary' in Gujarati.
Hindiआम
आम means mango in Hindi, and is related to the word आमा in Sanskrit, which means raw
Kannadaಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ
Malayalamജനറൽ
The Malayalam word "ജനറൽ" ("general") can also refer to a person who commands an army.
Marathiसामान्य
The Marathi word "सामान्य" can also mean "ordinary" or "common".
Nepaliसामान्य
The word “सामान्य” ( सामान्य ) also means ordinary, usual, common.
Punjabiਆਮ
The word "ਆਮ" is derived from the Sanskrit word "सामान्य", meaning "common" or "ordinary".
Sinhala (Sinhalese)පොදු
The Sinhalese word “පොදු” (“general”) means a public thoroughfare, as well as a public privy, with the double meaning originating from the word's root in Sanskrit where “poda” meant “foot” and “podika” meant “a place where feet get placed on,” with those places being public pathways and toilets.
Tamilபொது
The Tamil word "பொது" also means "public" in the context of places, events, or knowledge.
Teluguసాధారణ
The Telugu word "సాధారణ" (sādhāraṇa) originates from Sanskrit and means "ordinary, common," or "usual."
Urduعام
"عام" can also mean "common" or "public".

General in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)一般
一般 means not special or usual in Chinese, and can refer to a specific type of traditional Chinese medicine.
Chinese (Traditional)一般
In Chinese, "一般" (general) also means "ordinary" or "average", but it can be more formal than "普通" (common).
Japanese一般
The word "一般" (ippan) also means "ordinary" or "common" when used as a noun.
Korean일반
The word "일반" (general) in Korean has its origins in the Chinese word "一般", which means "common" or "usual."
Mongolianерөнхий
'Ерөнхий' can be traced back to Sanskrit 'sarva' and ultimately Proto-Indo-European 'sel-' ('complete').
Myanmar (Burmese)ယေဘူယျ

General in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianumum
The word "umum" can also mean "public" or "common", and is derived from the Arabic word "umum" which means "universal" or "all-embracing".
Javaneseumume
The Javanese word "umume" also refers to the collective public or community in a general sense.
Khmerទូទៅ
The word "ទូទៅ" means "general" in Khmer and can also refer to "all" or "in general".
Laoທົ່ວໄປ
Malayumum
"Umum" also means "common," "ordinary" or "in general" in Malay.
Thaiทั่วไป
"ทั่วไป" can mean "all kinds" or "various" in Thai, and it can be used to refer to a wide range of things, including people, places, and things.
Vietnamesechung
"Chung" can also mean "public" or "common," or can be used as an ordinal numeral for "first".
Filipino (Tagalog)pangkalahatan

General in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniümumi
Ümumi also means public, common, ordinary, and general in Azerbaijani.
Kazakhжалпы
In Kazakh, "жалпы" can also mean "common, general, or universal" and may be related to the verb "жалу" (to spread, cover).
Kyrgyzжалпы
The word "жалпы" (general) in Kyrgyz is derived from the Persian word "jalp" meaning "army" and ultimately comes from the Sanskrit word "jalpa" meaning "discussion" or "disputation."
Tajikгенерал
Генерал in Tajik (Cyrillic) shares the same root word as 'general' in English, both deriving from the Latin word 'generalis' meaning 'of the whole'.
Turkmenumumy
Uzbekumumiy
In Uzbek, "umumiy" (general) is derived from the Arabic word "'umūm" (common, general), which refers to the totality or generality of something.
Uyghurgeneral

General in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianlaulā
Laulā means 'general' in Hawaiian, and also 'flower' in Samoan.
Maoriwhanui
Whanui can also refer to a large group or tribe, or to the concept of the extended family.
Samoanlautele
Lautele - a high-ranking chiefly title in Samoa, meaning "head of the village" or "master of the house".
Tagalog (Filipino)pangkalahatan
The word "pangkalahatan" comes from the root word "pangkat", which means "rank" or "level". In Philippine history, the term "pangkalahatan" was used to refer to the highest rank of leadership in the indigenous political system.

General in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarataqpacha
Guaraniopavavépe

General in International Languages

Esperantoĝenerala
The word "ĝenerala" comes from the Latin word "generalis", meaning "of a kind" or "common".
Latingeneralis
"Generalis" is also the name by which the Latin Church refers to its Superior General.

General in Others Languages

Greekγενικός
The word "γενικός" in Greek also means "generic" or "of or relating to a genus or group".
Hmongdav dav
The word "dav dav" is also used to address an elder in Hmong.
Kurdishgiştî
Kurdish "giştî" (general) derives from the Middle Persian term "*gišti-g" meaning "commander" or "chief".
Turkishgenel
The Turkish word "genel" not only means "general" but also "wide" and can be used in various contexts like "genel kültür" (general culture).
Xhosangokubanzi
Etymology unknown; also means 'one of many' or 'a person of considerable authority or influence'.
Yiddishאַלגעמיין
The Yiddish word "אַלגעמיין" also means "ordinary" or "normal".
Zulujikelele
Some believe the word "jikelele" is derived from the phrase "isikali selikhulu", meaning "great weapon".
Assameseসাধাৰণ
Aymarataqpacha
Bhojpuriसाधारन
Dhivehiއާންމު
Dogriआम
Filipino (Tagalog)pangkalahatan
Guaraniopavavépe
Ilocanosapasap
Kriokɔmɔn
Kurdish (Sorani)گشتی
Maithiliसामान्य
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯃꯌꯥꯝꯒꯤ ꯑꯣꯏꯕ
Mizotlanglawn
Oromowaliigala
Odia (Oriya)ସାଧାରଣ
Quechuallapan
Sanskritसामान्य
Tatarгомуми
Tigrinyaሓፈሻዊ
Tsongaangarhela

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