Honest in different languages

Honest in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

Honesty is a universal value, cherished by cultures and societies all over the world. It signifies a commitment to truth and transparency, and is often associated with integrity, reliability, and trust. An honest person is someone who values the truth over deception, and who strives to act with sincerity and authenticity in all their interactions.

Throughout history, honesty has been celebrated as a virtue of the highest order. From the ancient Greeks and Romans to modern-day philosophers and spiritual leaders, the importance of honesty has been consistently emphasized as a key component of ethical behavior and moral character.

Given the significance of honesty in so many different cultural and historical contexts, it's not surprising that people all over the world might be interested in learning how to say

Honest


Honest in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaanseerlik
The Afrikaans word "eerlik" is derived from the Dutch word "eerlijk", meaning "honorable" or "notable"
Amharicታማኝ
The Amharic word "ታማኝ" (honest) is said to derive from the root "አመን" (believe) and thus signifies someone who is trustworthy or reliable.
Hausamai gaskiya
The term "mai gaskiya" can also refer to 'sincerity' or 'integrity' in Hausa language, emphasizing its significance beyond mere 'honesty'.
Igboeziokwu
The Igbo word "eziokwu" means "truth" or "honesty", and its root "kwu" means "to speak"
Malagasymarina
The word 'marina' can also refer to a type of fish, a place where boats are kept, or a place where salt is produced.
Nyanja (Chichewa)moona mtima
Moona mtima in Nyanja can also mean "straightforward" or "frank".
Shonaakatendeka
The word "akatendeka" can also mean "to be pure" or "to be genuine"
Somalidaacad
The word "daacad" can also be used to describe something that is genuine, authentic, or true.
Sesothotšepahala
The word "tšepahala" is also used to refer to someone who is straightforward and does not hide their thoughts or feelings.
Swahilimwaminifu
mwaminifu can also mean "faithful" or "loyal".
Xhosaethembekileyo
In certain contexts, the word 'ethembekileyo' can also refer to faithfulness or reliability.
Yorubaooto
'Ooto' can also mean 'true' or 'real'.
Zuluqotho
In Zulu, "qotho" can also refer to a type of beer or someone who is straightforward or blunt.
Bambarasɛbɛ
Ewetoa nyateƒe
Kinyarwandainyangamugayo
Lingalabosolo
Luganda-mazima
Sepedipotego
Twi (Akan)nokorɛ

Honest in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicصادق
The word "صادق" (honest) in Arabic originally meant "to be sincere or truthful" and is related to the word "صِدق" (truth).
Hebrewיָשָׁר
יָשָׁר is derived from the root 'ישר' meaning 'straight' or 'direct', and can also refer to 'uprightness' or 'integrity'
Pashtoصادق
The word "صادق" also means "truthful" and "loyal" in Pashto.
Arabicصادق
The word "صادق" (honest) in Arabic originally meant "to be sincere or truthful" and is related to the word "صِدق" (truth).

Honest in Western European Languages

Albaniani ndershem
The word ndershem ultimately derives from Latin `sincerus` (
Basquezintzoa
The word "zintzoa" can also refer to something of a simple, pure, or plain nature.
Catalanhonest
Catalan word 'honest' derives from the Latin word 'honestus' and also means 'chaste' and 'honorable'.
Croatianpošten, čestit
The Croatian word "pošten, čestit" derives from the Proto-Slavic "*čьstъ", meaning "pure, innocent, genuine".
Danishærlig
The word "ærlig" is derived from the Old Norse word "jarl", meaning "nobleman" or "chieftain", implying trustworthiness and integrity.
Dutcheerlijk
In Dutch, "eerlijk" is literally "of honor" and can also mean "fair" or "respectable."
Englishhonest
The word "honest" derives from the Latin "honestus" meaning "honorable, respectable"
Frenchhonnête
In Old French, "honnête" meant "honorable, noble or virtuous"}
Frisianearlik
In Frisian, "earlik" can also refer to "noble" or "genuine".
Galicianhonesto
In Galician, "honesto" can also mean "noble" or "decorous", and is related to the Portuguese word "honesto" and the Spanish word "honesto".
Germanehrlich
Ehrlich is derived from the German word "Ehre," which means both "honor" and "truth."
Icelandicheiðarlegur
The word is derived from the old Norse word
Irishmacánta
Macánta is also a surname, an Irish form of the English word Makenty, which means "son of the honest one."
Italianonesto
"Onesto" can also refer to a person who is good at playing a game.
Luxembourgishéierlech
The word "éierlech" is derived from the Old High German word "êra" meaning "honour" or "respect".
Malteseonest
The Maltese word "onest" is derived from the Italian word "onesto" and also means "modest".
Norwegianærlig
The ær in ærlig is related to the Latin aēr, and thus also to the word air, referring to the open and breathable space of honesty.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)honesto
The word "honesto" in Portuguese can also mean "decent" or "respectable."
Scots Gaeliconarach
In Gaelic, "onarach" can also mean honorable, virtuous or respectable.
Spanishhonesto
Honesto, in Spanish, also refers to decorum or propriety, and derives from the Latin honestus, meaning "honorable" or "respectable."}
Swedishärliga
"Ärliga rum" were the servants quarters, where the servants were not allowed to steal or cheat the owners of the house.
Welshonest
The spelling 'onest' is a more modern variation of 'onest' and is influenced by the English word 'honest'.

Honest in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianсумленны
Bosnianiskreno
"Iskreno" also means "sincerely" or "cordially".
Bulgarianчестен
The word "честен" is also related to "чест" (honor), both deriving from the Proto-Slavic root *čьstъ.
Czechupřímný
The word "upřímný" also means "sincere" in Czech.
Estonianaus
The word “aus” also means “strict,” and likely derives from the Proto-Finnic “ausa,” meaning “narrow”
Finnishrehellinen
The word "rehellinen" is derived from the Proto-Finnic word "*rekti", meaning "straight", which originally referred to the path of the sun.
Hungarianbecsületes
"Becsületes" comes from the name of the currency of the Árpáds from the 13th century, the "bács".
Latviangodīgi
The root "god-" also refers to "year" in Latvian (gads).
Lithuaniannuoširdus
The word "nuoširdus" originates from the Proto-Indo-European root *ḱerd-, meaning "to separate" or "to distinguish", suggesting a sense of genuineness and integrity.
Macedonianискрен
The Slavic root "iskr" in 'iskren' means 'genuine,' 'true,' or 'real'; it is derived from the same Proto-Indo-European root as Greek 'akris', meaning 'pure' or 'unmixed'.
Polishszczery
The word "szczery" derives from the Old Polish word "szczery", meaning "true" or "genuine"
Romaniansincer
The Romanian word "sincer" also means "sincere" in Latin, French, and Spanish, indicating a shared etymological root for the concept of honesty across these languages.
Russianчестный
The word "честный" in Russian can also mean "noble" or "respectable".
Serbianискрен
The word 'искрен' is derived from the Old Church Slavonic word 'искpь', meaning 'fire' or 'spark'
Slovakčestný
The word 'čestný' in Slovak can also be used to describe something that is honorable, respectable, or held in high esteem.
Slovenianpošteno
The word "pošteno" in Slovenian also means "fair" or "decent."
Ukrainianчесний
The word "чесний" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "*čьstь", meaning "honor" or "integrity."

Honest in South Asian Languages

Bengaliসৎ
"সৎ" is also used in the sense of "pure", "sincere", "upright", or "true" in Bengali.
Gujaratiપ્રામાણિક
પ્રામાણિક comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *per-, meaning 'to pass', 'to go through or beyond', or 'to cross'.
Hindiईमानदार
ईमानदार derives from the Arabic word 'iman', meaning faith.
Kannadaಪ್ರಾಮಾಣಿಕ
ಪ್ರಾಮಾಣಿಕ refers to “the act of being true in thought and action” or “not given to deceiving or lying” among many other related concepts.
Malayalamസത്യസന്ധൻ
Marathiप्रामाणिक
"प्रामाणिक" (honest) in Marathi derives from the Sanskrit word "प्रामाणिकः" (rightful, trustworthy).
Nepaliइमान्दार
The word is derived from the Sanskrit word 'imand', meaning 'faith' or 'trust'.
Punjabiਇਮਾਨਦਾਰ
Sinhala (Sinhalese)අවංක
'අවංක' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'वक्र' (vakra), meaning 'crooked' or 'bent'. However, in Sinhala, it has come to mean the opposite, i.e., 'straight' or 'honest'.
Tamilநேர்மையான
The word 'நேர்மையான' originally meant 'straight' or 'direct' and was only later applied to moral character.
Teluguనిజాయితీ
The word "నిజాయితీ" originates from the Persian word "rast", meaning "truthful" or "straightforward."
Urduایماندار
Derived from the Arabic term 'iman' (faith), 'aiman dar' (honest) in Urdu, also connotes trust or trustworthiness in addition to honesty, implying a deeper moral conviction in a person's character.

Honest in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)诚实
The character 诚 (cheng) in 诚实 (honest) derives from religious oaths in oracle bone script and bronzeware inscriptions where a witness's honesty was implored.
Chinese (Traditional)誠實
誠實 derives from 誠, which in oracle bone scripts depicts a sacrificial vessel with offerings, conveying purity and integrity.
Japanese正直
The word "正直" (chōjiki) can also mean "to be fair" or "to be impartial".
Korean정직한
정직 (jeongjik) means honest, but it can also mean 'upright' or 'aboveboard'.
Mongolianшударга
The Mongolian word "шударга" is derived from the Mongolian word "шуд" meaning "straight" or "correct".
Myanmar (Burmese)ရိုးသားတယ်
The word comes from the word "ပရိုသ" (to make clear) to emphasize that an honest person will not have any secrets and will reveal everything clearly.

Honest in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianjujur
The Indonesian word "jujur" is likely derived from the Sanskrit word "jujurya", meaning "truthful". It can also refer to being righteous, straightforward, or sincere.
Javanesejujur
Jujur ('honest') in Javanese also means 'to sell' or 'to trade' and is thought to be related to the word 'ujung' ('end') as transactions mark the end of the bargaining process.
Khmerស្មោះត្រង់
Laoຊື່ສັດ
ຊື່ສັດ (literally means "being a true animal") connotes honest and sincere behavior, especially towards others.
Malayjujur
The word "jujur" comes from the Proto-Malay language and is derived from Proto-Austronesian *dusus which means "straight", and also exists in other Indonesian words such as "lurus"
Thaiซื่อสัตย์
"ซื่อสัตย์" derives from the word "ซื่อ" (honesty) and "สัตย์" (truth), and can also mean "genuine" and "loyal".
Vietnamesethật thà
"Thật thà" comes from the Sino-Vietnamese phrase "thực tình thực dạ" meaning "genuine in word and heart", and also has an alternate meaning of "frank" and "not devious or deceitful".
Filipino (Tagalog)tapat

Honest in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanidürüst
The word "dürüst" in Azerbaijani derives from the Persian word "durust", meaning "correct, proper, upright" and is also related to the Armenian word "durn", meaning "good, right, just".
Kazakhадал
The word "адал" is derived from the Persian word "adalat" and also means "justice" or "fairness".
Kyrgyzчынчыл
"Чынчыл" is also the name for a small rodent native to South America.
Tajikростқавл
The word "ростқавл" can also refer to a person who is trustworthy and reliable.
Turkmendogruçyl
Uzbekhalol
The word "halol" can also refer to "lawful" or "permissible" in Islamic law.
Uyghurسەمىمىي

Honest in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianʻoiaʻiʻo
'Oia'i'o means 'firm', or 'to persevere' and comes from 'oi', a verb 'to strive for'.
Maoripono
The word "pono" in Maori can also mean "truth", "correctness", or "accuracy".
Samoanfaamaoni
The word 'fa'a'moni' derives from the Proto-Samoan term 'fa'a'māoni' meaning 'to be careful' or 'to be cautious'.
Tagalog (Filipino)matapat
The word "matapat" is derived from the root word "tapat", meaning "direct" or "straightforward". It can also refer to something that is unwavering or constant.

Honest in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaraqhanachuymani
Guaranitekoporã

Honest in International Languages

Esperantohonesta
Esperanto's "honesta" derives from the Latin word for "honorable," implying social respect and integrity.
Latinhonestus
The Latin word "honestus" derives from "honos", meaning "honour" or "reputation".

Honest in Others Languages

Greekτίμιος
In Ecclesiastical Greek, "τίμιος" also means "worthy of honor or respect".
Hmongncaj ncees
The Hmong word "ncaj ncees" is derived from the verb "ncaj" (to cut) and can also mean "to cut straight" or "to be correct".
Kurdishdilpaqij
Dilpaqijs' root word 'paqij' is the same root word as the word for 'trust'.
Turkishdürüst
Dürüst comes from Persian and originally meant 'truthful, faithful, sincere', with the sense of 'honest' developing in the 17th century.
Xhosaethembekileyo
In certain contexts, the word 'ethembekileyo' can also refer to faithfulness or reliability.
Yiddishערלעך
The Yiddish word "ערלעך" ("ehrlekh") also means "real" or "genuine".
Zuluqotho
In Zulu, "qotho" can also refer to a type of beer or someone who is straightforward or blunt.
Assameseসত্‍
Aymaraqhanachuymani
Bhojpuriईमानदार
Dhivehiތެދުވެރި
Dogriईमानदार
Filipino (Tagalog)tapat
Guaranitekoporã
Ilocanonalinteg
Krioɔnɛs
Kurdish (Sorani)ڕاستگۆ
Maithiliइमानदार
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯄꯨꯛꯆꯦꯜ ꯁꯦꯡꯕ
Mizorinawm
Oromoamanamaa
Odia (Oriya)ସଚ୍ଚୋଟ
Quechuasumaq sunqu
Sanskritसत्यरतः
Tatarнамуслы
Tigrinyaሓቀኛ
Tsongakuva na ntiyiso

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