Giant in different languages

Giant in Different Languages

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

Giant


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Afrikaans
reuse
Albanian
gjigand
Amharic
ግዙፍ
Arabic
عملاق
Armenian
հսկա
Assamese
দৈত্য
Aymara
jach'a
Azerbaijani
nəhəng
Bambara
belebele jamanjan
Basque
erraldoia
Belarusian
гіганцкі
Bengali
দৈত্য
Bhojpuri
बहुते बड़हन
Bosnian
div
Bulgarian
гигант
Catalan
gegant
Cebuano
higante
Chinese (Simplified)
巨人
Chinese (Traditional)
巨人
Corsican
gigante
Croatian
divovski
Czech
obří
Danish
kæmpe stor
Dhivehi
ބޮޑު
Dogri
देऽ
Dutch
reusachtig
English
giant
Esperanto
giganto
Estonian
hiiglane
Ewe
amedzɔtsu
Filipino (Tagalog)
higante
Finnish
jättiläinen
French
géant
Frisian
reus
Galician
xigante
Georgian
გიგანტი
German
riese
Greek
γίγαντας
Guarani
tuichaitereíva
Gujarati
વિશાળ
Haitian Creole
jeyan
Hausa
ƙato
Hawaiian
pilikua
Hebrew
עֲנָק
Hindi
विशाल
Hmong
dev tiag
Hungarian
óriás
Icelandic
risastór
Igbo
ibu
Ilocano
higante
Indonesian
raksasa
Irish
fathach
Italian
gigante
Japanese
巨人
Javanese
raseksa
Kannada
ದೈತ್ಯ
Kazakh
алып
Khmer
យក្ស
Kinyarwanda
igihangange
Konkani
राकेसी
Korean
거대한
Krio
big big
Kurdish
hût
Kurdish (Sorani)
زەبەلاح
Kyrgyz
алп
Lao
ຍັກ
Latin
giant
Latvian
milzu
Lingala
elombe
Lithuanian
milžinas
Luganda
naggwano
Luxembourgish
riseg
Macedonian
гигант
Maithili
विशाल
Malagasy
goavam-be
Malay
gergasi
Malayalam
ഭീമൻ
Maltese
ġgant
Maori
tupua
Marathi
राक्षस
Meiteilon (Manipuri)
ꯍꯤꯡꯆꯥꯕ
Mizo
milian
Mongolian
аварга
Myanmar (Burmese)
.ရာ
Nepali
विशाल
Norwegian
kjempe
Nyanja (Chichewa)
chimphona
Odia (Oriya)
ବିଶାଳ
Oromo
guddaa
Pashto
لوی
Persian
غول
Polish
ogromny
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)
gigante
Punjabi
ਦੈਂਤ
Quechua
hatunkaray
Romanian
gigant
Russian
гигант
Samoan
tinoese
Sanskrit
दैत्याकार
Scots Gaelic
fuamhaire
Sepedi
lekgema
Serbian
џиновски
Sesotho
senatla
Shona
hofori
Sindhi
ديو
Sinhala (Sinhalese)
යෝධ
Slovak
obor
Slovenian
velikan
Somali
rafaa
Spanish
gigante
Sundanese
buta
Swahili
kubwa
Swedish
jätte
Tagalog (Filipino)
higante
Tajik
бузургҷусса
Tamil
ராட்சத
Tatar
гигант
Telugu
జెయింట్
Thai
ยักษ์
Tigrinya
ዓብዪ
Tsonga
xihontlovila
Turkish
dev
Turkmen
äpet
Twi (Akan)
brane
Ukrainian
гігант
Urdu
دیو قامت
Uyghur
گىگانت
Uzbek
ulkan
Vietnamese
khổng lồ
Welsh
cawr
Xhosa
isigebenga
Yiddish
ריז
Yoruba
omiran
Zulu
umdondoshiya

Etymology & Notes

LanguageEtymology / Notes
AfrikaansThe Afrikaans word "reuse" is cognate with the English word "giant" and originates from the Proto-Germanic term *reuß-.
AlbanianThe Albanian word "gjigand" is derived from the Greek "gigas" (giant), which may ultimately derive from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning either "to be born" or "to generate."
AmharicThe word "ግዙፍ" can also mean "enormous" or "great" in a non-physical sense.
ArabicThe word "عملاق" is derived from the root "ع م ل ق" which means to be strong or to have great strength.
ArmenianThe word "հսկա" comes from the Old Armenian word "հսկել" meaning "to observe," suggesting that giants were seen as beings who stood out from the rest by their size and impressive presence.
Azerbaijani"Nəhəng" (giant) has the alternate meaning of "giant tree" and is related to "nəh" (tree).
BasqueThe word "erraldoia" is thought to have originated from the Basque word "erraldoi," which means "foreigner."
BelarusianThe word "гіганцкі" is derived from the Greek word "γίγας" (gigas), which means "giant" or "titan," and is ultimately related to the Proto-Indo-European root *gig- ("to be strong").
BengaliThe Sanskrit word "daitya" refers to a type of mythological being, specifically the descendants of the sage Kashyapa and the goddess Diti.
BosnianThe word 'div' in Bosnian is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *deiwo-, meaning 'to shine' or 'to be divine'.
Bulgarian"гигант" means not only "giant" but also "huge, large, colossal, gigantic, towering, massive, gigantic, vast, immense, grand, monumental, epic, cosmic, astronomical, titanic, gargantuan, colossal"}
CatalanThe Catalan word "gegant" also refers to a large wooden and papier-mâché figure with a moving head and arms, carried in public processions
CebuanoThe word "higante" is derived from the Spanish "gigante," which itself comes from the Latin "gigas," meaning "earth-born monster."
Chinese (Simplified)巨人 is also a surname in the Chinese language.
Chinese (Traditional)In Chinese mythology, "巨人" (giant) often refers to the legendary figure "夸父", a giant who chased the sun but eventually died of thirst.
CorsicanIn Corsican, "gigante" can also refer to a particularly cunning or sly person.
CroatianThe word 'divovski' is derived from the Proto-Slavic word 'divь', meaning 'giant' or 'wild beast'.
CzechThe Czech word "obří" derives from the Old Czech word "obr", meaning "defender" or "protector".
DanishIn Danish, the word "kæmpe" can also mean "to fight" or "to struggle", hinting at the immense power and effort associated with giants in mythology.
DutchThe word 'reusachtig' in Dutch is derived from the Old Norse word 'risi', meaning 'giant' or 'hero'.
EsperantoThe word "giganto" also means "gigantic" in Esperanto.
EstonianHiiglane is derived from the Proto-Finnic word *hiito 'monster, troll, giant'
Finnish"Jättiläinen" is related to the word "jätti" (a remnant) and derives from the Indo-European root "yet" (to abandon or leave behind)
French"Géant" derives from the Ancient Greek word "gίγας (gigas)", meaning "earth-born".
FrisianThe word "reus" in West Frisian also means "hero".
Galician"Xigante" is likely derived from the Latin word "gigas", but can also refer to someone or something large and bulky in Galician.
GeorgianThe word 'giganti' in Georgian, meaning 'giant', derives from the Iranian word 'gigandi', which also means 'giant'.
GermanThe word "Riese" can also refer to a steep slope or embankment.
GreekThe word γίγαντας (gigantas) in Greek can refer to either giants or the Titans. It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *ǵʰig-n-, which means "large" or "mighty."
Gujaratiવિશાળ shares Proto-Indo-European origin with English "vast" and Latin "vastus" (both meaning 'empty, desolate, immense').
Haitian CreoleIn Haiti, it is also associated with the deity known as the "Master of the Cemetery".
HausaThe word "ƙato" can also refer to a type of large, edible snail.
HawaiianPilikua (giant) comes from the Hawaiian word "pili" (to cling) and "kua" (back), referring to the belief that giants were born from the backs of the gods.
Hebrewעֲנָק is related to the verb עָנַק, meaning "to necklace," suggesting a connection between size and ornamentation.
HindiThe word 'विशाल' comes from the Sanskrit root ' विशाल,' meaning 'wide, expansive, or vast.'
HmongThe prefix "dev" in "dev tiag" is related to the word "dev" meaning "strong".
HungarianThe word "óriás" may derive from Turkish "yorük" ("nomad") or "orman" ("forest").
IcelandicThe Old Norse term 'risi' referred to the mythological primordial frost giants; 'stórr' means 'great', but the combination 'risastórr' likely arose due to a folk etymology inspired by the similarity in sound to 'risi'.
Igbo"Ibu" is also used metaphorically to describe an extraordinarily large or impressive person or thing
Indonesian"Raksa" in Sanskrit means to protect, while "sa" is a derivative of "asa" which means hope. Thus "raksasa" can mean protector or guardian.
IrishThe word "fathach" can also mean "large" or "tall" in Irish.
ItalianThe word 'gigante' comes from the Latin 'gigas' which also means 'giant' but can also refer to a large or powerful person.
JapaneseThe word "巨人" (kyojin) can also refer to a skilled sumo wrestler or a legendary figure like Atlas in Greek mythology.
JavaneseThe word 'raseksa' also means 'demon', 'monster' or 'evil spirit', and is ultimately derived from the Sanskrit word 'rakshasa', meaning the same.
KannadaThe word "ದೈತ್ಯ" is derived from the Sanskrit word "daitya", which refers to a class of celestial beings associated with strength and power, often depicted as enemies of the gods.
KazakhThe word "алып" is also used in Kazakh to refer to a mythical creature resembling a cyclops.
KhmerThe Khmer word "យក្ស" can also mean a mythical being from ancient Hindu mythology.
Korean"거대한" is thought to be derived from the Old Korean word "거하(居下)", meaning "to live below," suggesting an association with spirits of the netherworld.
KurdishIn Kurdish, “hût” derives from the Persian word “hut” meaning “whale,” or from the Proto-Indo-European word “kuta,” meaning “hill” or “shelter.”
Kyrgyz"Alp" also means "hero" or "brave warrior" in Turkic languages.
Lao"ຍັກ" is a Lao word that can also mean "demon" or "ogre".
LatinThe Latin word "gigas" also refers to a mythical creature with a hundred arms, often depicted in Greek and Roman art and mythology.
Latvian"Milzu" is cognate to "milzīgs", which means "huge", and both words share a root with "melns", which means "black".
LithuanianThe word "milžinas" shares the same etymological root ("mal-", meaning "to crush") with the word "malti" ("to grind") and "miltai" ("flour").
Luxembourgish"Riseg" is derived from Frankish "ris" (rush, reed) and "ag" (hedge, enclosure), meaning an enclosure made of rushes or reeds.
MacedonianГигант/Gıgant is a Turkish loanword in Macedonian, while the word for giant in Old Church Slavonic is 'div'.
MalagasyThe word "goavam-be" in Malagasy originates from the Austronesian word "gawa" meaning "large" and "bambo" meaning "tree".
MalayIn Indonesian, "gergasi" refers not only to giants but also to large inanimate objects such as buildings or vehicles.
MalayalamThe word "ഭീമൻ" is derived from the Sanskrit word "भीम" (Bheema), which refers to a fierce or powerful deity.
MalteseThe Maltese word "ġgant" has a cognate in the Old Catalan "gegent" with the same meaning, and is related to the Italian "gigante," French "géant," and Spanish "gigante," all derived from the Latin "Gigans."
MaoriIn Samoan mythology, "tupua" refers to ancestral deities or spirits residing in the natural world and commanding great power.
MarathiThe Sanskrit word राक्षस (rākṣasa) can refer to a type of demon, a night-walking ghost, or simply a guardian, depending on the context.
MongolianThe Mongolian word “аварга” also means “one that crushes and grinds”.
Myanmar (Burmese)"ရာ" can also mean '100' or '100 times'
NepaliThe word 'विशाल' derives from the Sanskrit 'vis' meaning 'enter' or 'pervade' and can also refer to an expanse or region.
Norwegian"Kjempe" also means "fight" or "struggle" in Norwegian.
Nyanja (Chichewa)The word 'chimphona' is derived from the word 'chiphona', meaning 'something big'.
PashtoThe word "لوی" in Pashto, in addition to meaning "giant," is also used figuratively to describe something that is large or formidable.
Persian"غول" also refers to a mythical creature known as a demon or ogre in Persian mythology.
PolishIn addition to its primary meaning of "giant," "ogromny" can also be used figuratively to describe something vast or overwhelming.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)In Portuguese, "gigante" can also refer to a large wave or a very tall wave.
PunjabiThe name 'ਦੈਂਤ' originated from Proto-Indo-European, as Sanskrit दानव ('dānáva', evil entity), likely also deriving from Dravidian roots.
RomanianThe Romanian word "gigant" comes from the Greek "gigas," meaning "earthborn" or "son of the earth."
RussianRussian "гигант" derives from Greek "gigantes"; in Greek myth, Gigantes were mortal, not superhuman
SamoanIn Samoan, "tinoese" also means "to grow tall or large".
Scots GaelicIn Irish and Scottish Gaelic, "fuamhaire" also carries an alternative meaning of "rogue, vagrant, or outlaw".
SerbianThe word "џиновски" can also mean "huge" or "immense" in Serbian.
SesothoThe word "senatla" can also refer to a very large or grand person.
ShonaThe term "hofori' can also refer to something that is exceptionally large or impressive.
SindhiThe Sindhi word "ديو" is derived from the Persian word "ديو" meaning "demon", but it also has an alternate meaning of "giant".
Sinhala (Sinhalese)The word "යෝධ" can also refer to a "warrior" or "hero" in Sinhala.
Slovak'Obor' is an archaic word in Czech, which means 'hero'. The same word also exists in Modern Slovak and is spelled the same, but has the meaning 'giant'.
SlovenianCognate with Belarusian _vialikan_ and Russian _velikan_, from Proto-Slavic *velikъ, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *megʰ-
SomaliEtymology: Possibly borrowed from the Proto-Cushitic root *raf- "tall"
SpanishIn Spanish, the word "gigante" also refers to a type of very large bean, known as a "gigante bean" in English.
SundaneseIn Sundanese, "buta" can also refer to a ghost or a mythical creature, especially one that is large and fearsome.
SwahiliThe word "kubwa" in Swahili can also mean "great" or "big". Its original meaning was "father of the house".
Swedish"Jätte" is an archaic term for "giant" in Swedish but can also refer to a "huge amount" or "something very big".
Tagalog (Filipino)"Higante" is the Tagalog word for "giant". It is derived from the Spanish word "gigante", which in turn comes from the Latin word "gigas". "Gigas" is thought to be related to the Greek word "ge". which means "earth". This suggests that the original giants were thought of as being earth-born or earth-dwelling creatures.
TajikThe word 'buzurĝjusa' means 'giant' in several Iranian languages, such as Persian, Dari, and Tajik, and may ultimately derive from the Proto-Iranian word *bruzant-, meaning 'high' or 'lofty'.
Tamil"ராட்சத" also means "a huge tree" in Tamil, and is ultimately derived from the Sanskrit word "rakshasa".
TeluguThe word "జెయింట్" in Telugu can also mean "a very large or powerful person or thing".
ThaiThe word "ยักษ์" also means "demon" in Thai, and is cognate with the Sanskrit word "yakṣa."
TurkishDev can also mean 'monster' in Turkish, derived from Persian 'div'
UkrainianThe Ukrainian word 'гігант' is derived from the Greek 'gigas', meaning 'earth-born'.
UrduThe word "دیو قامت" literally means "demon-shaped" in Urdu, referring to something extremely large or imposing.
UzbekThe word "ulkan" is also used to refer to a "huge wave" or a "large mass of something" in Uzbek.
VietnameseThe word "khổng lồ" is derived from the Chinese word "kǒnglù", meaning "huge" or "gigantic".
WelshThe word "cawr" is also found in Cornish with the same meaning, and in Breton as "kaor" meaning "dwarf".
XhosaIn Xhosa, the word 'isigebenga' also refers to a person of great importance or influence.
YiddishIn Yiddish, 'ריז' also refers to a type of ogre-like mythical creature resembling a giant.
YorubaThe word 'omiran' also means 'a long tall person' in Yoruba.
ZuluThe word `umdondoshiya` can also refer to someone who is very wealthy or influential.
EnglishThe word 'giant' comes from the Latin word 'gigas', which may have originally meant 'born of the earth'.

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