Health in different languages

Health in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

Health is a fundamental aspect of our lives, encompassing our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It is a concept that transcends cultures and languages, yet is interpreted and prioritized differently around the world. The significance of health is evident in every society, as it is a prerequisite for happiness, productivity, and overall quality of life.

Throughout history, civilizations have placed great importance on health, from the ancient Greeks' concept of 'holistic' health to traditional Chinese medicine. Even in modern times, health remains a central focus of societal discourse, as we continue to grapple with global health crises and the ongoing pursuit of wellness.

Understanding the translation of health in different languages can provide valuable insights into cultural perspectives on well-being. For example, the German word for health, 'Gesundheit,' also means 'free from disease' or 'sound.' Meanwhile, the Swahili word, 'afya,' not only refers to physical health but also encompasses social, spiritual, and environmental well-being.

Join us as we explore the translations of health in various languages, shedding light on the rich cultural contexts that shape our understanding of this universal concept.

Health


Health in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansgesondheid
Gesondheid, derived from the Middle Dutch "gesontheit", ultimately comes from Proto-Germanic *sundaz, meaning "sound, healthy".
Amharicጤና
In the Cushitic languages, the word "ጤና" means "life" and it is also considered as a salutation.
Hausalafiya
The Hausa word "lafiya" also means "peace" and "well-being."
Igboahụike
'Ahụike' in Igbo also means 'peace of mind' and 'inner wellness'.
Malagasyfahasalamana
"Fahasalamana" is derived from the Arabic word "salama" meaning "to be safe".
Nyanja (Chichewa)thanzi
The Nyanja word 'thanzi' comes from Proto-Bantu '*tanci' meaning 'life' and ultimately from '*dano' meaning 'to live'.
Shonahutano
In addition to meaning "health," the word "hutano" can also refer to good fortune or well-being in Shona.
Somalicaafimaadka
The word "caafimaadka" can also refer to the state of being well-adjusted or balanced in Somali.
Sesothobophelo bo botle
The Sesotho word "bophelo" shares the same root with the word "phela" which means "to live". It implies that "health" is not just the absence of disease but a state of well-being.
Swahiliafya
The word "afya" in Swahili derives from the Arabic word "afiya," meaning "well-being, recovery, or salvation."
Xhosaimpilo
In Xhosa, "impilo" can also refer to "life" or "existence".
Yorubailera
"ilera" also means "freshness" or "newness," and is often used to describe the feeling of being refreshed or rejuvenated.
Zuluimpilo
Zulu "impilo" comes from proto-Nguni and means "a state of well-being, happiness, or prosperity"}
Bambarakɛnɛya
Ewelãmesẽ
Kinyarwandaubuzima
Lingalakolongono ya nzoto
Lugandaobulamu
Sepedimaphelo
Twi (Akan)apomuden

Health in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicالصحة
The word "الصحة" means "health" in Arabic, but it also has the alternate meaning of "wellness" or "well-being."
Hebrewבְּרִיאוּת
The word "בְּרִיאוּת" (health) in Hebrew is derived from the root "בריא" (healthy), but also has the alternate meaning of "well-being" or "prosperity".
Pashtoروغتیا
The word "روغتیا" can also refer to the ability to be healed by medicine (in contrast to "مریضاندیا ", a chronic and incurable disease).
Arabicالصحة
The word "الصحة" means "health" in Arabic, but it also has the alternate meaning of "wellness" or "well-being."

Health in Western European Languages

Albanianshëndetin
"Shëndetin" in Albanian also refers to one's emotional and mental well-being.
Basqueosasuna
This Basque word, also meaning 'whole' or 'sound', is related to the word 'osan' meaning 'bones'.
Catalansalut
"Salut" also means "goodbye" in Catalan, as a shortened form of "salutació" (greeting).
Croatianzdravlje
"Zdravlje" has the same Indo-European root as "dry" and "tree", all meaning "stable" or "firm."
Danishsundhed
The word "sundhed" in Danish is cognate with the English word "sound" and originally meant "vigor" or "strength."
Dutchgezondheid
The word "Gezondheid" comes from the Old Dutch "gisund" meaning "sound" or "whole".
Englishhealth
The word 'health' stems from Old English word 'hǽlð' which meant 'wholeness'.
Frenchsanté
Santé in French means 'cheers' when toasting, as 'health' is an old European symbol of good fortune.
Frisiansûnens
The Frisian word "sûnens" comes from the Proto-West Germanic word *sunthijô, meaning "health" or "good condition."
Galiciansaúde
The Galician word "saúde" has a Latin origin meaning "safety" and can also refer to a toast or well-wishing during a drink.
Germangesundheit
The word "Gesundheit" in German also means "bless you" when someone sneezes, likely deriving from the wish for good health after a sneeze.
Icelandicheilsu
The Old Norse word 'heilsu' meant both 'good luck' and 'health', a connection still seen in the Icelandic saying 'heilsu til hamingju' (lit. "health to happiness").
Irishsláinte
Sláinte shares a root with the English word "salute", referencing the custom of wishing good health by raising a glass.
Italiansalute
"Salute" in Italian shares an origin with the English word "salvation" and the Latin word "salus," meaning "well-being".
Luxembourgishgesondheet
Maltesesaħħa
In some contexts, "saħħa" can also mean "cheers" or "goodbye".
Norwegianhelse
In Norwegian, "helse" is also used to refer to the state of being sound or whole, as in "helse og lykke" (health and happiness).
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)saúde
In Portuguese, the word "saúde" comes from the Latin word "salus", which means "safety" or "well-being".
Scots Gaelicslàinte
Slàinte is used both as a toast to good health and as an interjection meaning 'goodbye'.
Spanishsalud
The Spanish word "salud" originates from the Latin "salus," meaning "well-being" or "safety."
Swedishhälsa
Hälsa can also refer to greetings, congratulations, or a toast.
Welshiechyd
The word 'iechyd' (health) is of Old English origin, akin to 'eachd' in Scottish Gaelic, and etymologically stems from the Proto-Germanic word for 'horse'

Health in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianздароўе
The word "здароўе" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *zdorъvъ, which originally meant "sound, healthy, whole".
Bosnianzdravlje
The word 'zdravlje' is also used as a toast to good health, similar to the English phrase 'cheers' or the German 'prost'.
Bulgarianздраве
The word "здраве" in Bulgarian is derived from the Proto-Slavic root *zdravъ, meaning "sound" or "whole."
Czechzdraví
The word "zdraví" has an alternate obsolete meaning in Czech: "greeting".
Estoniantervis
The word "tervis" in Estonian is cognate with "terror" and "tremor" in English, reflecting the historical association between health and fear of disease.
Finnishterveyttä
In addition to meaning «health», "terveyttä" can also mean «cheers!» when used in a toast or to wish someone well.
Hungarianegészség
"Egészség" literally means "wholeness" in Hungarian, referring to the state of being complete and sound in body and mind.
Latvianveselība
"Veselība" originally meant "happiness" and is related to the words "vest" ("to lead") and "laime" ("happiness").
Lithuaniansveikata
The Lithuanian word "sveikata" is ultimately derived from the Proto-Balto-Slavic word *svekъ, meaning "strong" or "whole."
Macedonianздравје
The word "здравје" can also refer to a toast or a cheer, similar to "cheers" or "salute" in English.
Polishzdrowie
The Polish word "zdrowie" not only means "health", but also "cheers" when used as a toast.
Romaniansănătate
"Sănătate" comes from Proto-Indo-European root "*sent- " - "to be well; sound; safe" which also appears in the Latin "sanitas".
Russianздоровье
The word "здоровье" originally meant "wholeness".
Serbianздравље
The word "здравље" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "*zdravъ", meaning "whole, sound, healthy".
Slovakzdravie
Slovak "zdravie" is cognate with other Slavic words for health including Russian *здоровье* (zdorovye), and can also refer to a toast.
Slovenianzdravje
The word 'zdravje' is derived from the Proto-Slavic word 'zdravь', meaning 'sound' or 'whole'.
Ukrainianздоров'я
The word "здоров'я" in Ukrainian means "health" but also has the alternate meaning of "peace".

Health in South Asian Languages

Bengaliস্বাস্থ্য
The word "স্বাস্থ্য" in Bengali can also refer to the state of well-being or the quality of being in good health.
Gujaratiઆરોગ્ય
આરોગ્ય originates from the Sanskrit word 'ārogya' meaning 'free from disease or sickness' and can also refer to 'well-being' or 'good health'.
Hindiस्वास्थ्य
स्वास्थ्य is ultimately derived from Sanskrit ‘svasthya,’ which means 'well-being' or 'staying well'.
Kannadaಆರೋಗ್ಯ
The word "ಆರೋಗ್ಯ" in Kannada literally translates to "free from disease", highlighting the absence of illness as a key aspect of health.
Malayalamആരോഗ്യം
The Malayalam word "ആരോഗ്യം" (aarogyam) is derived from the Sanskrit word "आरोह" (aaroh), meaning "rise" or "ascend", representing the desired state of optimal well-being.
Marathiआरोग्य
The word "आरोग्य" is derived from the Sanskrit word "रोग" (disease), hence it literally means "absence of disease".
Nepaliस्वास्थ्य
स्वास्थ्य originates from 'su+asthayi' referring to 'being in good condition'.
Punjabiਸਿਹਤ
The Punjabi word 'ਸਿਹਤ' is derived from the Arabic word 'صحت', which also means 'correctness' or 'accuracy'.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)සෞඛ්‍යය
The word "සෞඛ්‍යය" is derived from Sanskrit and also means "happiness" or "well-being".
Tamilஆரோக்கியம்
Teluguఆరోగ్యం
"ఆరోగ్యం" (health) is derived from the Sanskrit word "आरोग्य" (ārogya), meaning "freedom from disease". It also holds an alternate meaning of "well-being" or "soundness of mind and body".
Urduصحت
The word "صحت" in Urdu also means "correctness" or "accuracy".

Health in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)健康
The character '健' in '健康' originally meant 'walking with a stick' or 'able-bodied', implying the physical aspect of health.
Chinese (Traditional)健康
"健" means a human standing at the apex while "康" means peace and happiness.
Japanese健康
The Japanese word "健康 (kenkō)" is composed of two characters: "健 (ken)", which means "strong" or "healthy", and "康 (kō)", which means "peace" or "well-being."
Korean건강
건강 (health) etymologically refers to the 'body's strength' and the 'goodness' of an organism
Mongolianэрүүл мэнд
Эрүүл
Myanmar (Burmese)ကျန်းမာရေး

Health in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiankesehatan
"Kesehatan" comes from the Sanskrit word "kesahatan", meaning "well-being".
Javanesekesehatan
The Javanese word "kesehatan" (Indonesian "kesehatan") is ultimately derived from the Sanskrit word "kṣema" meaning "wellbeing" or "safety". Javanese also shares this root with the Indonesian word "selamat" or "keselamatan" which both mean "safety".
Khmerសុខភាព
The Khmer word "សុខភាព" is derived from the Sanskrit word "sukha" meaning "happiness" and "prapti" meaning "attainment".
Laoສຸ​ຂະ​ພາບ
Malaykesihatan
The word "kesihatan" is derived from the Arabic word "sihhah", meaning "well-being", and also relates to the Malay word "sihat", meaning "good health".
Thaiสุขภาพ
สุขภาพ' ('health') derives from Sanskrit 'sukha' ('pleasure') and 'palama' ('to protect or maintain'), signifying the preservation of the body's well-being.
Vietnamesesức khỏe
The word "Sức khỏe" is composed of two words meaning "power" and "strength."
Filipino (Tagalog)kalusugan

Health in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanisağlamlıq
The word "sağlamlıq" in Azerbaijani also means "well-being" or "soundness."
Kazakhденсаулық
Etymology of "денсаулық" is from the word "дене" ("body"), which later developed a new meaning, acquiring the current meaning of "health," and this new word replaced the older term "саулық."
Kyrgyzден-соолук
The phrase "ден соолук" literally translates to "healthy body", suggesting the interconnectedness of physical and mental well-being.
Tajikсаломатӣ
The word "саломатӣ" is rooted in the Persian verb "سلامت بودن": "to be well or safe"
Turkmensaglyk
Uzbeksog'liq
The word "sog'liq" is originally of Persian origin and can also mean "well-being" or "prosperity".
Uyghurساغلاملىق

Health in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianolakino
In Hawaiian, "olakino" not only means "health" but also "prosperity" and "well-being."
Maorihauora
The word hauora in Maori refers to both a person's physical and mental wellbeing, as well as the health of the environment in which they live.
Samoansoifua maloloina
The word "soifua maloloina" can also refer to the state of being contented and well-rested.
Tagalog (Filipino)kalusugan
The word "kalusugan" can also refer to a person's general well-being or state of mind.

Health in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarak'umar jakañxata
Guaranitesãi

Health in International Languages

Esperantosano
The Esperanto word “sano” (health) is borrowed from Latin and also means “holy” or “sound”.
Latinsalutem
The word 'salutem', meaning health in Latin, also carries the meaning of 'greeting', as seen in the traditional Roman salutation 'Ave atque vale'.

Health in Others Languages

Greekυγεία
The word "υγεία" in Greek also means "wholeness" or "soundness", reflecting the holistic view of health in ancient Greece.
Hmongnoj qab haus huv
Noj qab haus huv literally translates to “keep the soul and body well-balanced”.
Kurdishtendûrûstî
The Kurdish word 'tendûrûstî' is derived from the Persian word 'tandorosti', which ultimately comes from the Middle Persian word 'tan-durustī', meaning 'good body'. It is a compound of 'tan' ('body') and 'durust' ('good, strong, well').
Turkishsağlık
The word "sağlık" in Turkish also means "thanks".
Xhosaimpilo
In Xhosa, "impilo" can also refer to "life" or "existence".
Yiddishגעזונט
The Yiddish word 'געזונט' ('gezunt') comes from the Middle High German word 'gesuntheit' meaning 'well-being' or 'prosperity.'
Zuluimpilo
Zulu "impilo" comes from proto-Nguni and means "a state of well-being, happiness, or prosperity"}
Assameseস্বাস্থ্য
Aymarak'umar jakañxata
Bhojpuriस्वास्थ
Dhivehiސިއްޙަތު
Dogriसेहत
Filipino (Tagalog)kalusugan
Guaranitesãi
Ilocanosalun-at
Kriowɛlbɔdi
Kurdish (Sorani)تەندروستی
Maithiliस्वास्थ्य
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯍꯛꯁꯦꯜ
Mizohrisel
Oromofayyaa
Odia (Oriya)ସ୍ୱାସ୍ଥ୍ୟ
Quechuaqali kay
Sanskritआरोग्यम्‌
Tatarсәламәтлек
Tigrinyaጥዕና
Tsongarihanyo

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