Identity in different languages

Identity in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

Identity, such a simple word, yet it holds a profound meaning that shapes our existence. It is the essence of who we are, our beliefs, values, and experiences that make us unique. Our identity is the foundation of our self-image and how we interact with the world around us.

The significance of identity extends beyond personal levels, playing a crucial role in cultural contexts. It helps define communities, nations, and civilizations, preserving their heritage and traditions. Identity, in this sense, becomes a powerful tool for cultural preservation and celebration.

Given the importance of identity, it's not surprising that many languages have their own translations for this term. For instance, in Spanish, identity is 'identidad'; in French, it's 'identité'; in German, 'Identität'; in Mandarin, '身份' (shēn fèn); in Japanese, '身元' (mibun); and in Arabic, 'هوية' (hūwiyya).

Understanding the translation of identity in different languages can provide valuable insights into how different cultures perceive and express this concept. It can also foster cross-cultural understanding and appreciation, enriching our global community.

Identity


Identity in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansidentiteit
The word "identiteit" in Afrikaans has a separate meaning of "identity card".
Amharicማንነት
Hausaainihi
In Hausa, "ainihi" can also refer to a person's individuality and unique qualities.
Igbonjirimara
Njirimara is also an Igbo word for 'lineage', which serves as the primary form of identification for Igbos
Malagasymaha-
The word "maha-" in Malagasy can also mean "big" or "great".
Nyanja (Chichewa)chizindikiritso
Shonachitupa
In Shona, the word "chitupa" can also refer to an identity card or a badge.
Somaliaqoonsiga
Aqoonsiga is also used to describe the personal information associated with an individual's identity, such as their name, address, and date of birth.
Sesothoboitsebiso
Boitsebiso derives from the verb bitsa, meaning 'to create', and can refer to something that is distinctive or distinguishing as well as to identity.
Swahilikitambulisho
The Swahili word "kitambulisho" can also refer to a passport or other form of identification.
Xhosaisazisi
'Isazisi' also means 'trace' or 'mark' in Xhosa.
Yorubaidanimo
"Idanimo" is a Yoruba word meaning "identity".
Zuluubunikazi
The Zulu word 'ubunikazi' can also refer to the unique qualities or attributes of an individual.
Bambaraboyoro
Ewedzeside
Kinyarwandaindangamuntu
Lingalankombo
Lugandaebikukwatako
Sepediboitsebišo
Twi (Akan)adida

Identity in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicهوية
In Arabic, “هوية” (identity) also means “nature, essence, or quality.”
Hebrewזהות
ההגייה האשכנזית 'אַיידִינְט' משמרת את ההיגוי ההיסטורי, בעוד שההגייה המזרחית מקבילה להגייה המודרנית באנגלית (איידֶנְטִיטִי)
Pashtoپیژندنه
The word "پیژندنه" in Pashto can also refer to the act of recognizing or identifying something or someone.
Arabicهوية
In Arabic, “هوية” (identity) also means “nature, essence, or quality.”

Identity in Western European Languages

Albanianidentiteti
The Albanian word 'identiteti' derives from the French word 'identité', meaning 'sameness' or 'being the same'.
Basqueidentitatea
The word "identitatea" in Basque is derived from the Latin word identitas , and it can also mean "personality" in some contexts.
Catalanidentitat
The etymology of the Catalan word "identitat" is the Latin word "identitas", meaning "sameness" or "selfsameness".
Croatianidentitet
The word “identitet” comes from the Latin word “identitas,” which means “the same” or “oneness.”
Danishidentitet
In Danish, 'identitet' has two additional meanings, 'equality' and 'sameness'.
Dutchidentiteit
Dutch "identiteit" also encompasses the meaning of "samenhorigheid" (togetherness) and "gelijkheid" (equality).
Englishidentity
The word “identity” is derived from the Latin word “idem,” meaning “the same.”
Frenchidentité
"Identité" comes from Latin "identitas", itself formed by "idem" (same) and "esse" (to be). Its meanings have extended beyond the simple idea of "sameness".
Frisianidentiteit
The word "identiteit" in Frisian is derived from the Latin word "identitas", which means "sameness" or "oneness".
Galicianidentidade
In Galician, "identidade" can also refer to personal documents proving one's identity.
Germanidentität
Das Wort "Identität" leitet sich vom lateinischen Wort "idem" ab, was "dasselbe" bedeutet, und kann auch "Gleichheit" oder "Einheit" im Sinne von Selbstheit bezeichnen.
Icelandicsjálfsmynd
The word 'sjálfsmynd' can also refer to a person's self-image or self-perception.
Irishféiniúlacht
Italianidentità
The Italian word “identità” derives from the Latin term “ identitas,” meaning “the condition of something being the same as itself.”
Luxembourgishidentitéit
The word 'Identitéit' is derived from the French word 'identité' and can also refer to a person's sense of self and individuality.
Malteseidentità
The Maltese term "identità" originates from the Latin word "identitas", which means "sameness" or "oneness".
Norwegianidentitet
Norw. identitet, Dan. identitet, Swed. identitet all derives from Fr. identité 'identity' and Lat. identitas 'sameness, identity'
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)identidade
"Identidade" is a Portuguese word derived from the Latin "identitas," meaning "sameness" or "oneness," and in Portuguese it can also mean "ID card" or "passport."
Scots Gaelicdearbh-aithne
Dearbh-aithne is also used in Scots Gaelic to mean 'true knowledge' or 'certainty'.
Spanishidentidad
The Spanish word "identidad" comes from the Latin "identitas" and can also refer to "equality".
Swedishidentitet
The word "identitet" can also refer to the concept of "sameness" or "unity" in Swedish.
Welshhunaniaeth
The alternative use of the noun 'hunaniaeth' means 'subjectivity'.

Identity in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianідэнтычнасць
The Belarusian word 'ідэнтычнасць' ('identity') is derived from the Greek word 'ταυτότης' ('identity'), which in turn is derived from the word 'αὐτός' ('self').
Bosnianidentitet
In Bosnian, "identitet" also refers to a personal ID card issued by the government for identification purposes.
Bulgarianсамоличност
The Bulgarian word "самоличност" is derived from the Slavic root *čьlověkъ, meaning "man", and the suffix *-ьnь, indicating "quality" or "property", hence "humanity" or "personhood."
Czechidentita
In Czech, "identita" is not only used for "identity", but also for the "equation of two quantities" in mathematics.
Estonianidentiteet
The Estonian word "identiteet" is derived from the Latin word "identitas", which means "sameness" or "oneness".
Finnishhenkilöllisyys
The Finnish word 'henkilöllisyys' is related to 'henkilö', 'person', and originally meant 'bodily integrity' or 'personal qualities'.
Hungarianidentitás
The Hungarian word "identitás" derives from the Latin word "identitas", which ultimately comes from the Indo-European root *sm̥-, meaning "one, same". This suggests that the word "identity" has roots in the idea of unity or sameness.
Latvianidentitāte
The Latvian word "identitāte" also means "personality".
Lithuaniantapatybė
"Tapatybė" also means "exactness," reflecting the word's origin in the Proto-Indo-European root *tepen-, meaning "to stretch out," and its connection to words like "tape" and "tension."
Macedonianидентитет
Polishtożsamość
Polish "tożsamość" comes from French "identité" and Latin "idem" (the same), also sharing its root with "samiec" (male) and "sama" (female).
Romanianidentitate
In Romanian, "identitate" can also refer to a mathematical function that returns the same value as its input.
Russianличность
In Russian, "личность" (identity) also refers to a person's individuality, their unique character traits, and their social status.
Serbianидентитет
The Serbian word "identitet" comes from the Latin word "identitas", meaning "sameness" or "oneness". It can also refer to a person's sense of self or their unique characteristics.
Slovakidentita
The term "identita" comes from Latin "identitas", "sameness".
Slovenianidentiteta
The word "identiteta" comes from the Latin word "identitas", which means "sameness".
Ukrainianідентичність
"Ідентичність" (identity) comes from Latin "idem" (the same) and can also mean personality, consciousness, or self-worth.

Identity in South Asian Languages

Bengaliপরিচয়
The word "পরিচয়" is derived from the Sanskrit word "परिचयः" which means "introduction" or "acquaintance".
Gujaratiઓળખ
The Gujarati word "ઓળખ" can also be used to refer to the act of being familiar with someone or something.
Hindiपहचान
पहचान, 'pechan', also means 'to recognize'
Kannadaಗುರುತು
The word "ಗುರುತು" derives from the Sanskrit word "gurutas", meaning "weightiness" or "importance".
Malayalamഐഡന്റിറ്റി
Marathiओळख
The Marathi word "ओळख" can also refer to a "trademark" or "identifier".
Nepaliपहिचान
The word "पहिचान" (identity) can also refer to a mark, sign, or characteristic that distinguishes one person or thing from another.
Punjabiਪਛਾਣ
The word "ਪਛਾਣ" (identity) is derived from the Sanskrit word "pratigya" (promise, vow), and also means "sign, mark, or recognition" in Punjabi.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)අනන්‍යතාවය
The Sinhalese word "අනන්‍යතාවය" comes from the Sanskrit word "अनन्यता" meaning "one's own peculiar characteristic, specific nature, distinctiveness".
Tamilஅடையாளம்
The word 'அடையாளம்' (identity) also means 'proof' and 'recognition' in Tamil.
Teluguగుర్తింపు
The word 'గుర్తింపు' can also refer to a mark or sign that distinguishes something.
Urduشناخت
شناخت" in Urdu can also mean recognition, understanding, or perception.

Identity in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)身份
身份 can also refer to one's social status or position in society.
Chinese (Traditional)身份
"身份", traditionally written as "身分", originally meant "status" or "social position".
Japanese身元
Japanese term '身元,' meaning 'identity,' also denotes social standing and background.
Korean정체
The word "정체" in Korean also means "suspicious".
Mongolianтаних тэмдэг
The word
Myanmar (Burmese)ဝိသေသလက္ခဏာ
Derived from Pṅli "višēēa" meaning "distinctive" or "special characteristic (of something). "

Identity in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianidentitas
The Indonesian word "identitas" also has the alternate meaning of "character" or "personality".
Javaneseidentitas
In Javanese, "identitas" can also refer to a person's social status or rank.
Khmerអត្តសញ្ញាណ
The word "attasangnhana" derives from the Sanskrit "atmasamjṇa" (self-awareness), or "attamsamjana" (a consciousness of oneself), which is made up of two components: "atta" (self) and "samjṇa" (awareness).
Laoຕົວຕົນ
Malayidentiti
The word "identiti" in Malay also has connotations of "personality" or "self-concept".
Thaiเอกลักษณ์
In Thailand, "เอกลักษณ์" is also the name of the traditional Thai system of medicine.
Vietnamesedanh tính
Danh tính also means "name" in Vietnamese, such as in the expressions "danh tính thật" (real name) and "danh tính bí mật" (secret name).
Filipino (Tagalog)pagkakakilanlan

Identity in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanişəxsiyyət
"Şəxsiyyət" derives from the Arabic "shakhṣ" (person): its root suggests "a being whose reality is recognized outwardly."
Kazakhжеке басын куәландыратын
Kyrgyzиденттүүлүк
The word "иденттүүлүк" can also mean "equality" or "sameness" in Kyrgyz.
Tajikҳувият
The word “ҳувият” can also mean “character” or “nature” in Tajik.
Turkmenşahsyýet
Uzbekshaxsiyat
The term "shaxsiyat" stems from the Persian word "shakhsiyyat" and can also refer to "personality" or "reputation".
Uyghurكىملىك

Identity in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianʻike ʻike
ʻike ʻike (identity) derives from an early Proto-Polynesian term meaning knowledge or intelligence
Maorituakiri
"Tuakiri" derives from "tu" (stand) and "akiri" (set in order), indicating establishing one's identity.
Samoanfaasinomaga
It can refer to one's name, family, tribe, village, or anything that distinguishes an individual from others within society, including social standing, rank, or reputation.
Tagalog (Filipino)pagkakakilanlan
The word "pagkakakilanlan" can also refer to recognition, identification, or acquaintance.

Identity in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarakhititansa
Guaraniherakuaáre

Identity in International Languages

Esperantoidenteco
The word "identeco" is a portmanteau of the words "identiga" and "eco"
Latinidentitatem
The Latin word “identitatem” also means “sameness” or “oneness”.

Identity in Others Languages

Greekταυτότητα
"Ταυτότητα" shares the root "ταυτό- ("the same") with "ταυτολογία ("tautology") and stems from "ταυτόν"(also meaning "same"/"the same")."
Hmongyog leejtwg tiag
The Hmong word "yog leejtwg tiag" can also mean "one of the same kind".
Kurdishnasname
The etymology of the term "nasname" may be traced back to the Old Persian word "nāma" (name)
Turkishkimlik
Kimlik derives from the Arabic word "kami" meaning "as, like, and similar" and implies "to become similar to something or somebody".
Xhosaisazisi
'Isazisi' also means 'trace' or 'mark' in Xhosa.
Yiddishאידענטיטעט
The Yiddish word "אידענטיטעט" (identyṭeṭ) is derived from the German "Identität," which in turn comes from the Latin "identitas," meaning "sameness" or "oneness."
Zuluubunikazi
The Zulu word 'ubunikazi' can also refer to the unique qualities or attributes of an individual.
Assameseপৰিচয়
Aymarakhititansa
Bhojpuriपहिचान
Dhivehiއައިޑެންޓިޓީ
Dogriपंछान
Filipino (Tagalog)pagkakakilanlan
Guaraniherakuaáre
Ilocanoidentidad
Krioudat
Kurdish (Sorani)ناسنامە
Maithiliपहचान
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯁꯛꯇꯥꯛ
Mizonihna
Oromoeenyummaa
Odia (Oriya)ପରିଚୟ
Quechuariqsichiq
Sanskritचिह्नं
Tatarүзенчәлек
Tigrinyaመንነት
Tsongavutitivi

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