Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'hunter' holds a significant place in our vocabulary, representing the age-old practice of tracking and capturing animals for survival. This occupation has been a cornerstone of human culture since our earliest days, and it continues to be an important part of life for many communities around the world today.
Beyond its practical importance, the figure of the hunter has also played a starring role in countless myths, legends, and works of art. From the ancient Greek hero Odysseus to the Navajo trickster Coyote, hunters have long been celebrated for their cunning, skill, and connection to the natural world.
Given the global significance of hunting, it's no surprise that the word 'hunter' has been translated into countless languages over the years. Whether you're an avid outdoorsperson looking to connect with fellow hunters around the world or simply a language enthusiast, learning the different translations of 'hunter' can be a fascinating way to explore the rich cultural traditions associated with this ancient practice.
Here are just a few of the many ways to say 'hunter' in different languages:
Afrikaans | jagter | ||
"Jagter" in Afrikaans can also refer to someone who drives a fast car recklessly, or someone who is a heavy smoker. | |||
Amharic | አዳኝ | ||
The word "አዳኝ" can also mean "warrior" or "hero" in Amharic. | |||
Hausa | mafarauci | ||
The word 'mafarauci' also means 'one who knows the bush' in Hausa. | |||
Igbo | dinta | ||
The name 'Dinta' is also given to a masquerade representing a hunter in Igbo culture. | |||
Malagasy | mpihaza | ||
The word "mpihaza" can also mean "one who takes what is not theirs". | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | mlenje | ||
The word "mlenje" in Nyanja (Chichewa) is also used to refer to a type of dance performed by men. | |||
Shona | muvhimi | ||
The Shona word "muvhimi" can also refer to a person who uses witchcraft to hunt. | |||
Somali | ugaadhsade | ||
Ugaadhsade, meaning 'hunter,' may also refer to a predator of humans or animals or to one tasked with seeking or searching. | |||
Sesotho | setsomi | ||
The word "setsomi" in Sesotho can also mean "a person who is sent on a mission" or "a person who is responsible for something". | |||
Swahili | wawindaji | ||
In Swahili mythology, Wawindaji is also the name of the god of the hunt. | |||
Xhosa | umzingeli | ||
"Umzingeli" also refers to a person who gathers, like firewood. | |||
Yoruba | ode | ||
The Yoruba word "ode" can also mean "a person who has something to do with a certain deity". | |||
Zulu | umzingeli | ||
"Umzingeli" also refers to a young man who is a member of a regiment and is undergoing training to become a warrior. | |||
Bambara | kungo-kɔnɔ-fɛnw ɲininikɛla | ||
Ewe | adela | ||
Kinyarwanda | umuhigi | ||
Lingala | mobomi-nyama | ||
Luganda | omuyizzi | ||
Sepedi | motsomi | ||
Twi (Akan) | ɔbɔmmɔfo | ||
Arabic | صياد | ||
The word "صياد" (hunter) in Arabic can also refer to a fisherman or a trapper. | |||
Hebrew | צַיָד | ||
In Hebrew, the word "צַיָד" ("hunter") also refers to a person who searches for and gathers edible plants, especially truffles. | |||
Pashto | ښکار | ||
In addition to its meaning as "hunter," "ښکار" (pronounced "shkar") also refers to the act of hunting and the prey that is hunted. | |||
Arabic | صياد | ||
The word "صياد" (hunter) in Arabic can also refer to a fisherman or a trapper. |
Albanian | gjuetar | ||
The Albanian word 'gjuetar' is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *gheu- ('to strike, pierce, kill'). | |||
Basque | ehiztari | ||
"Ehiztari" has been used as a name for the Basque people, who were traditionally hunters. | |||
Catalan | caçador | ||
The Catalan word "caçador" also means, in some contexts, "a large piece of sausage." | |||
Croatian | lovac | ||
In Serbo-Croatian languages, the word "lovac" can also mean "fisherman". | |||
Danish | jæger | ||
In Danish, "jæger" can also refer to a specialized military unit responsible for reconnaissance and sabotage. | |||
Dutch | jager | ||
The word "jager" in Dutch can also refer to a type of hunting horn or a type of beer. | |||
English | hunter | ||
The term 'hunter' derives from the Old English word 'huntian,' which means "to pursue or capture wild animals. | |||
French | chasseur | ||
In culinary terms, "chasseur" refers to a dish made with game, mushroom, and a wine-based sauce. | |||
Frisian | jager | ||
In Frisian, "jager" can also refer to a type of large, open boat. | |||
Galician | cazador | ||
The word "cazador" in Galician can also refer to a type of fishing net. | |||
German | jäger | ||
In Southern Germany, the word 'Jäger' also refers to a traditional fermented apple beverage | |||
Icelandic | veiðimaður | ||
The word "veiðimaður" in Icelandic, meaning "hunter," is derived from the verb "veiða," which means "to fish" or "to hunt." | |||
Irish | sealgair | ||
In Irish, the word "sealgair" (pronounced "shal-gair") derives from the Old Irish word "sealgaire," meaning "hunter," and can also refer to a "fisherman" or "fowler." | |||
Italian | cacciatore | ||
In Italian, the word "cacciatore" also refers to a stew or dish made with game meat. | |||
Luxembourgish | jeeër | ||
Alternate meaning of "jeeër" is male deer, especially red deer. | |||
Maltese | kaċċatur | ||
The word "kaċċatur" is also used metaphorically to refer to someone who relentlessly pursues a goal or objective. | |||
Norwegian | jeger | ||
The verb "jaga" means to pursue a goal or objective. | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | caçador | ||
In Portugal, "caçador" can also refer to a type of traditional Portuguese soup made with game meat. | |||
Scots Gaelic | sealgair | ||
The word sealgair (hunter) also means 'fisherman' or 'fowler', depending on the context. | |||
Spanish | cazador | ||
The Spanish word "cazador" also refers to a type of fighter jet or a specific breed of horse. | |||
Swedish | jägare | ||
In the military, "jägare" is a rank, equivalent to a British "rifleman" or a US "ranger". | |||
Welsh | heliwr | ||
Cognate with 'heliar,' meaning 'to hunt' in Breton, the Welsh 'heliwr' also means 'warrior' or 'hero'. |
Belarusian | паляўнічы | ||
The Belarusian word "паляўнічы" not only refers to a person who hunts, but it can also be used to describe someone who is very active, lively, or inquisitive. | |||
Bosnian | lovac | ||
The word 'lovac' can also refer to a young bullock. | |||
Bulgarian | ловец | ||
The word "ловец" in Bulgarian is derived from the verb "ловить" meaning "to catch", and can also refer to a person who engages in hunting or trapping activities. | |||
Czech | lovec | ||
The word "lovec" in Czech also has the alternate meaning of "fisherman". | |||
Estonian | jahimees | ||
In Estonian, the word "jahimees" can also mean "a person who engages in hunting as a sport or pastime", as opposed to a "kütt", who is a person who hunts for food. | |||
Finnish | metsästäjä | ||
"Metsästäjä" means 'hunter' in Finnish and is derived from the word "metsä" ('forest'), indicating someone who hunts in forests. | |||
Hungarian | vadász | ||
In historical context, "vadász" referred to a feudal nobleman with the right to hunt on the king's domain. | |||
Latvian | mednieks | ||
The word "mednieks" is also used to refer to a person who collects mushrooms or berries in Latvian. | |||
Lithuanian | medžiotojas | ||
"Medžiotojas" in Lithuanian may also mean "one who lives in a forest" or "one who knows the forest well". | |||
Macedonian | ловец | ||
The word "ловец" derives from the Proto-Slavic word *lovьcь, which also means "catcher" or "fisherman." | |||
Polish | łowca | ||
The Polish word 'Łowca' not only means 'hunter' but also refers to a type of medieval military unit. | |||
Romanian | vânător | ||
The Romanian word "vânător" is also used to describe a person who searches for or collects something, such as mushrooms or truffles. | |||
Russian | охотник | ||
The word "охотник" (hunter in Russian) is derived from the same Proto-Slavic root as "охота" (hunting) and "острый" (sharp). | |||
Serbian | ловац | ||
The word "ловац" ("hunter") in Serbian could be related to either "лов" (a hunt) or "ловити" (to catch). | |||
Slovak | lovec | ||
The Slovak word "lovec" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "lovъ", meaning "hunt" or "prey." | |||
Slovenian | lovec | ||
The word "lovec" in Slovenian can also refer to a "trapper" or "fisherman". | |||
Ukrainian | мисливець | ||
The Ukrainian word "мисливець" (hunter) originates from the Old Slavic word "мысль" (thought), indicating the primary role of strategic thinking in the craft of hunting. |
Bengali | শিকারী | ||
The word "শিকারী" (shikari) can also refer to a person who skins or dresses game. | |||
Gujarati | શિકારી | ||
The word "shikari" is derived from the Sanskrit word "shikara" meaning "a horn", but it can also refer to the quarry of a hunt, or the act of hunting itself. | |||
Hindi | शिकारी | ||
The word "शिकारी" can also refer to a person who catches animals for research or conservation purposes. | |||
Kannada | ಬೇಟೆಗಾರ | ||
The Kannada word "ಬೇಟೆಗಾರ" (hunter) also refers to a specific caste of hunters in South India. | |||
Malayalam | വേട്ടക്കാരൻ | ||
The Malayalam word "വേട്ടക്കാരൻ" literally translates to "person who chases", but can also refer to a "poacher" or "predator". | |||
Marathi | शिकारी | ||
The word "शिकारी" in Marathi, derived from the Sanskrit word "शिकार" meaning "hunt," also refers to a type of falcon used for hunting. | |||
Nepali | शिकारी | ||
The word "शिकारी" is derived from the Sanskrit word "shikra," meaning "bird of prey". | |||
Punjabi | ਸ਼ਿਕਾਰੀ | ||
Shikari also means 'one who learns' in Punjabi, and comes from the Sanskrit word 'shikshaka,' meaning 'teacher'. | |||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | දඩයක්කාරයා | ||
In the Sri Lankan Sinhalese language, the word 'දඩයක්කාරයා' can also refer to a person who makes and sells bows and arrows. | |||
Tamil | வேட்டைக்காரன் | ||
Telugu | వేటగాడు | ||
The word "వేటగాడు" (hunter) is derived from the word "వేట" (hunt), which in turn comes from the Proto-Dravidian root *weṭ- "to hunt, kill". | |||
Urdu | شکاری | ||
(Urdu) شکاری _does_ indeed mean "hunter", but also refers to anything that hunts, e.g. a bird of prey or an aircraft. |
Chinese (Simplified) | 猎人 | ||
猎人 (lièrén) also means "poacher". | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 獵人 | ||
Traditionally, the word 獵人 refers to men who specifically hunt large beasts. | |||
Japanese | 猟師 | ||
"猟師" (hunter) originally meant "a person who practices a certain art or occupation." | |||
Korean | 사냥꾼 | ||
In Korean, "사냥꾼" (hunter) can also refer to a person sent to eliminate a target. | |||
Mongolian | анчин | ||
The Mongolian word for hunter, "анчин," has been used since the 13th century and also has the meaning "man who works in the forest" or "forest man." | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | မုဆိုး | ||
The word "မုဆိုး" (hunter) is derived from the Proto-Tibeto-Burman word *mɯ-sɔŋ, which also means "to kill". |
Indonesian | pemburu | ||
The word "pemburu" in Indonesian can also refer to a scavenger or a predator. | |||
Javanese | pamburu | ||
The Old Javanese term "pamburu" was also used to refer to a type of large, fierce dog used for hunting. | |||
Khmer | នាងហិនទ័រ | ||
Lao | ຜູ້ລ່າ | ||
The word "ຜູ້ລ່າ" can also refer to someone who pursues a goal with determination. | |||
Malay | pemburu | ||
In Iban, a dialect of Dayak language, | |||
Thai | ฮันเตอร์ | ||
The word "ฮันเตอร์" is a loanword from English, where it refers to a person who hunts animals. | |||
Vietnamese | thợ săn | ||
The word "thợ săn" can also refer to a person who searches for and collects something, such as a treasure hunter or a job hunter. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | mangangaso | ||
Azerbaijani | ovçu | ||
The word "ovçu" is also used in Azerbaijani to refer to "sheep" or "shepherd". | |||
Kazakh | аңшы | ||
The word also refers to the eagle hunting technique in traditional Kazakh culture. | |||
Kyrgyz | мергенчи | ||
The word "мергенчи" is also used to refer to a skilled person more generally. | |||
Tajik | шикорчӣ | ||
The word "шикорчӣ" comes from the Persian word "شکارچی" (shakarchi), meaning "hunter" or "one who hunts." | |||
Turkmen | awçy | ||
Uzbek | ovchi | ||
The word "ovchi" in Uzbek also refers to a person who makes or sells bows and arrows. | |||
Uyghur | ئوۋچى | ||
Hawaiian | ʻimi holoholona | ||
The word 'imi holoholona may also refer to the act of hunting or to a person who hunts. | |||
Maori | kaiwhaiwhai | ||
The word kaiwhaiwhai, meaning 'hunter' in Maori, derives from the verb 'whiwhi', meaning 'to obtain' or 'to procure'. | |||
Samoan | tagata tulimanu | ||
The word 'tagata tulimanu' can also refer to someone who sets traps or snares for animals, or a person who hunts for sport. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | mangangaso | ||
The word "mangangaso" is derived from the root word "mang-g-aso," meaning "to chase with a dog." |
Aymara | chacha warmi | ||
Guarani | cazador rehegua | ||
Esperanto | ĉasisto | ||
The Esperanto word "ĉasisto" shares a common root with the English word "chase" and can also mean "pursuer". | |||
Latin | venandi | ||
The Latin word "venandi" originates from the verb "venare", meaning "to hunt" or "to pursue", and is often used as a suffix in the names of hunting animals or activities, such as "venator" (hunter), "venatio" (hunting), or "venaticus" (relating to hunting). |
Greek | κυνηγός | ||
The word 'κυνηγός' (hunter) is also used to refer to a dog trained for hunting. | |||
Hmong | yos hav zoov | ||
In the Hmong language, the word "yos hav zoov" can also refer to a shaman or a ritualist. | |||
Kurdish | neçirvan | ||
The name Neçirvan is also sometimes given to lions because he is a fearless hunter. | |||
Turkish | avcı | ||
The Turkish word "avcı" can also refer to a falcon. | |||
Xhosa | umzingeli | ||
"Umzingeli" also refers to a person who gathers, like firewood. | |||
Yiddish | הונטער | ||
In addition to its literal meaning, "hunter", הונטער also denotes a "gatherer" or "forager" in Yiddish. | |||
Zulu | umzingeli | ||
"Umzingeli" also refers to a young man who is a member of a regiment and is undergoing training to become a warrior. | |||
Assamese | চিকাৰী | ||
Aymara | chacha warmi | ||
Bhojpuri | शिकारी के ह | ||
Dhivehi | ޝިކާރަވެރިޔާއެވެ | ||
Dogri | शिकारी | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | mangangaso | ||
Guarani | cazador rehegua | ||
Ilocano | mangnganup | ||
Krio | ɔnta we de ɔntin | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | ڕاوچی | ||
Maithili | शिकारी | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯂꯧꯃꯤ꯫ | ||
Mizo | ramsa mantu | ||
Oromo | adamsituu | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ଶିକାରୀ | ||
Quechua | chakuq | ||
Sanskrit | लुब्धकः | ||
Tatar | аучы | ||
Tigrinya | ሃዳናይ | ||
Tsonga | muhloti | ||