Interesting in different languages

Interesting in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'interesting' is a small but powerful part of our vocabulary, used to describe things that pique our curiosity and capture our attention. Its significance goes beyond mere description; it's a cultural bridge that connects us with different languages and cultures around the world.

Throughout history, 'interesting' has been used to introduce new ideas, spark conversations, and foster understanding. From scientific discoveries to artistic expressions, anything that holds our attention can be considered interesting. But what about the word itself? How is it translated in different languages, and what cultural nuances does it carry?

Understanding the translation of 'interesting' in various languages can provide unique insights into different cultures. For instance, in Spanish, 'interesante' not only refers to something that captures our attention but also implies a sense of personal relevance. Meanwhile, in Japanese, 'omoshiroi' carries a connotation of amusement and delight, adding an extra layer of positivity to the word.

Join us as we explore the translations of 'interesting' in different languages and discover the fascinating cultural contexts behind them.

Interesting


Interesting in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansinteressant
The Afrikaans word "interessant" is derived from the Dutch word "interesseren," which means "to be involved in" or "to concern oneself with."
Amharicአስደሳች
In Amharic, word "አስደሳች" also means someone who likes to make fun.
Hausamai ban sha'awa
In addition to its common meaning of "interesting," "mai ban sha'awa" can also mean "curious" or "inquiring."
Igbona-akpali
The Igbo word "na-akpali" also means "to draw attention or cause wonder".
Malagasytena
TENA can also mean 'well' or 'all right'
Nyanja (Chichewa)zosangalatsa
In an archaic sense, the word "zosangalatsa" can also mean "a sweet smell".
Shonazvinonakidza
The word 'zvinonakidza' in Shona can also be applied to a 'novel' or 'peculiar' circumstance.
Somalixiiso leh
“Xiiso leh” is not merely used for interesting things but also used to describe something funny or a strange sight.
Sesothothahasellisang
The word "thahasellisang" is derived from the root word "thahasello", meaning "to cause to wonder".
Swahiliya kuvutia
"Ya kuvutia" has origins in the Swahili word "kuvutia" which can also mean attractive, beautiful, or fascinating.
Xhosaumdla
The word "umdla" in Xhosa can also refer to something that is strange or unusual.
Yorubaawon
"Awon" is also used as a salutation meaning 'good day'
Zulukuyaheha
The Zulu word 'kuyaheha' can also mean 'to be puzzled or perplexed', or 'to be curious'.
Bambaradi
Ewevivi
Kinyarwandabirashimishije
Lingalakobenda likebi
Lugandaokunyuma
Sepedikgahliša
Twi (Akan)anika

Interesting in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicمثير للإعجاب
Did you know that the Arabic word "مثير للإعجاب" (interesting) comes from a root meaning "to cause to shake" and is related to a word meaning "to arouse or excite"?
Hebrewמעניין
The word "מעניין" literally translates as "answering" or "responding", hinting at the idea that something interesting is worth engaging with.
Pashtoپه زړه پوری
The word "په زړه پوری" in Pashto can also mean "satisfying" or "pleasing" in certain contexts.
Arabicمثير للإعجاب
Did you know that the Arabic word "مثير للإعجاب" (interesting) comes from a root meaning "to cause to shake" and is related to a word meaning "to arouse or excite"?

Interesting in Western European Languages

Albanianinteresante
The word "interesante" is derived from "inter" (among) and "esse" (to be), and also means "to involve" in Albanian.
Basqueinteresgarria
The Basque word "interesgarria" is derived from the Latin word "interesse", meaning "to be between" or "to concern."
Catalaninteressant
In Catalan, "interessant" also means "avaricious" or "greedy".
Croatianzanimljiv
The word "zanimljiv" in Croatian shares its root with the word "znanje" ("knowledge"), suggesting that something interesting is worth knowing.
Danishinteressant
The Danish word "interessant" comes from the Latin "inter esse," which means "to be present among" or "to take part."
Dutchinteressant
In Dutch, "interessant" also means "causing or deserving interest, as a person or thing."
Englishinteresting
"Interesting" derives from the Latin "interesse," meaning "to be between" or "to be of concern."
Frenchintéressant
The French word "intéressant" originally meant "self-interested," and the modern sense of "interesting" developed in the 17th century.
Frisiannijsgjirrich
"Nijsguorrich" is used in the same way as "интересен" in Russian
Galicianinteresante
"Interesante" is cognate with English "interest," reflecting its former meaning of "earning interest."
Germaninteressant
"Interessant" in German can mean not just "interesting" but also "confusing" or "suspicious".
Icelandicáhugavert
The Icelandic word "áhugavert" comes from the Old Norse words "áhuga" (interest) and "vertu" (to become), and it can also mean "enthusiastic".
Irishsuimiúil
Suimiúil has a range of meanings depending on its tense and how it's used, including "entertaining," "curious," and "amusing."
Italianinteressante
"Interessante" derives from the Latin "interesse," meaning "to be involved in," emphasizing the concept of engagement and curiosity.
Luxembourgishinteressant
The Luxembourgish word "interessant" can also mean "interesting person" or "person of interest."
Malteseinteressanti
Maltese word "interessanti" (interesting) comes from French "intéressant" and Italian "interessante", meaning "full of interest".
Norwegianinteressant
In Norwegian, "interessant" can also mean "pregnant" or "with child".
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)interessante
In Portuguese, "interessante" can also mean "relevant" or "pertinent".
Scots Gaelicinntinneach
The word "inntinneach" is also used in a negative sense to mean "annoying" or "irritating".
Spanishinteresante
In Spanish, "interesante" can also mean "self-serving" or "biased".
Swedishintressant
The word "intressant" in Swedish can also mean "profitable".
Welshdiddorol
The Welsh word "diddorol" can also mean "curious" or "intriguing".

Interesting in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianцікава
The word "цікава" is derived from a Proto-Slavic root meaning "to seek" or "to inquire" and can also mean "curious" or "intriguing" in Belarusian.
Bosnianzanimljivo
"Zanimljivo" comes from the verb "zanimati", meaning "to occupy someone's attention" or "to bother, annoy, or pester".
Bulgarianинтересно
The word "интересно" (interesting) derives from the Old Church Slavonic "интересъ" (interest), which itself has roots in the Greek "ενδιαφέρω" (to care about).
Czechzajímavý
The root "zají" in "zajímavý" is derived from the verb "zajat" meaning "to take, to capture, to seize" thus implying that something interesting captures one's attention.
Estonianhuvitav
The word "huvitav" comes from the verb "huvitama" (to interest), which is ultimately derived from the Finnish word "huvittaa" (to amuse).
Finnishmielenkiintoista
The word "mielenkiintoista" comes from the Finnish word "mielenkiinto," which means "interest."
Hungarianérdekes
The word "érdekes" comes from the Hungarian word "érdek," which means "interest."
Latvianinteresanti
Interesanti derives from the Latin word "interesse", originally meaning "to be present" or "to be concerned in."
Lithuanianįdomus
The root word "dom" in "įdomus" relates to "house" or "home" in other Indo-European languages.
Macedonianинтересно
"Интересно" is also used in Macedonian to describe something unusual or unexpected.
Polishciekawy
The etymology of Polish 'ciekawy' relates it to the Old Church Slavonic 'cikave,' which meant 'lively,' 'spirited,' and 'inquisitive.'
Romanianinteresant
In Romanian the word "interesant" not only means "interesting", but also "plaintiff".
Russianинтересно
Interesting (интересно) came from the word interest (интерес), which came from the Latin word interesse, meaning "to be between," which came from inter, meaning "between" and esse, meaning "to be."
Serbianзанимљиво
The Serbian word "занимљиво" ultimately comes from Turkish and can also mean "occupied".
Slovakzaujímavé
The Slovak word "zaujímavé" is derived from the Polish word "zainteresowanie," meaning "interest".
Slovenianzanimivo
"Zanimivo" originally meant "worthy of attention" and was used to describe matters of great importance.
Ukrainianцікаво
The word "цікаво" also means "it is interesting to know" or "it is curious"

Interesting in South Asian Languages

Bengaliমজাদার
The word "মজাদার" in Bengali can also mean "tasty" or "enjoyable".
Gujaratiરસપ્રદ
The word "રસપ્રદ" is derived from the Sanskrit words "rasa" meaning "juice" and "prada" meaning "give", suggesting something that provides pleasure or satisfaction.
Hindiदिलचस्प
The word "दिलचस्प" is derived from the Persian phrase "دل-چسپ", meaning "heart-sticking" or "captivating".
Kannadaಆಸಕ್ತಿದಾಯಕ
The term 'ಆಸಕ್ತಿದಾಯಕ', meaning 'interesting' in Kannada, originates from the Sanskrit words 'आशक्ति' (devotion) and 'दायक' (giver), conveying the idea of something captivating or engaging.
Malayalamരസകരമാണ്
The word 'രസകരമാണ്' ('interesting') is derived from the Sanskrit word 'रस' (rasa), meaning 'taste', 'flavor', or 'essence'. In Malayalam, it is often used to refer to something that is pleasing to the mind or senses.
Marathiमनोरंजक
In Marathi, "मनोरंजक" (manoranjak) has an alternate meaning as "recreational" or "entertaining".
Nepaliचाखलाग्दो
चाखलाग्दो, 'interesting' in Nepali, comes from Nepali चाख्नु, 'to taste,' and लाग्नु, 'to be affected,' implying something that 'tastes good' or is 'agreeable'.
Punjabiਦਿਲਚਸਪ
The word 'ਦਿਲਚਸਪ' derives from the Persian word 'دلچسب' (dilchasb), meaning 'heart-attracting' or 'pleasing to the heart'.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)සිත්ගන්නා සුළුය
This phrase is an alternative way of saying "අලුත් වුණු" (aluth vunū) and is often used to refer to something that is surprising or unusual.
Tamilசுவாரஸ்யமானது
Curiously, "சுவாரஸ்யமானது" directly translates to "having taste," referring to an experience or idea that stimulates interest through its appealing nature.
Teluguఆసక్తికరమైన
Urduدلچسپ
The word "دلچسپ" is derived from the Persian word "دلکش" which means "heart-catching".

Interesting in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)有趣
"有趣" means "have fun" in Mandarin but literally means "have taste" or "have flavor".
Chinese (Traditional)有趣
"有趣" (interesting) can also mean "to have fun with" or "to find pleasure in."
Japanese面白い
The etymology of "面白い" "omoshiroi" has no connection with "interesting" and literally translates to "face white".
Korean흥미로운
"흥미로운" originally meant "to arouse curiosity" and could be applied to things beyond just interest.
Mongolianсонирхолтой
Myanmar (Burmese)စိတ်ဝင်စားဖို့ကောင်းတယ်
It is derived from the Pali word "citta-vāsanā" meaning "impressions on the mind" or "mental culture."

Interesting in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianmenarik
In Indonesian, the word "menarik" not only means "interesting" but also "pulling, dragging, or attracting".
Javanesemenarik
The word "menarik" also means "to pull" or "to attract" in Javanese.
Khmerគួរឱ្យចាប់អារម្មណ៍
Laoຫນ້າສົນໃຈ
Malaymenarik
The word "menarik" in Malay also means "attractive" or "appealing".
Thaiน่าสนใจ
The Thai word "น่าสนใจ" (interesting) also means "worth interest" or "noteworthy."
Vietnamesehấp dẫn
Hấp dẫn can mean "attractive" or "interesting" in Vietnamese, and is derived from the Chinese word "引力" (yǐnlì), meaning "gravity" or "attraction."}
Filipino (Tagalog)kawili-wili

Interesting in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanimaraqlıdır
Maraqlıdır is also the name of a district in Azerbaijan's Khachmaz Rayon.
Kazakhқызықты
The word "қызықты" in Kazakh can also mean "curious" or "funny".
Kyrgyzкызыктуу
The Kyrgyz word "кызыктуу" can also mean "curious", reflecting the connection between curiosity and finding things interesting.
Tajikҷолиб
The word "ҷолиб" can also mean "attractive" or "fascinating" in Tajik.
Turkmengyzykly
Uzbekqiziqarli
"Qiziq" in Uzbek literally means "a worm that eats the root of a plant."
Uyghurقىزىقارلىق

Interesting in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianhoihoi
In Hawaiian, "hoihoi" also refers to the act of stirring liquids or solids, and can mean "to mix" or "to stir up"
Maoringā
Ngā can also refer to a multitude and abundance.
Samoanmanaia
The word "manaia" in Samoan can also mean "to be puzzled or bewildered".
Tagalog (Filipino)nakakainteres
The Tagalog word "nakakainteres" is derived from the root word "interes," which means "interest" or "importance."

Interesting in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarawakiskiri
Guaraniiporãite

Interesting in International Languages

Esperantointeresaj
The Esperanto word "interesaj" originally meant "in the interest of" but has shifted to mean "interesting".
Latinnovus
The Latin word "novus" originally meant "new" but later took on the meanings "strange" and "unusual".

Interesting in Others Languages

Greekενδιαφέρων
The Greek word "ενδιαφέρων" originates from the noun "ενδιαφέρον", which in turn derives from the verb "διαφέρω", meaning "to differ" or "to be different".
Hmongntxim nyiam
The word "ntxim nyiam" can also mean "fascinating" or "captivating" in Hmong.
Kurdishbalkêş
The word 'balkêş' in Kurdish, which means 'interesting,' has a curious second meaning: 'one who brings honey'.
Turkishilginç
In Turkish, "ilginç" also means "curious" or "unusual".
Xhosaumdla
The word "umdla" in Xhosa can also refer to something that is strange or unusual.
Yiddishטשיקאַווע
"טשיקאַווע" is also used in Yiddish to mean 'fascinating', 'curious', or 'intriguing'.
Zulukuyaheha
The Zulu word 'kuyaheha' can also mean 'to be puzzled or perplexed', or 'to be curious'.
Assameseআকৰ্ষণীয়
Aymarawakiskiri
Bhojpuriमजदार
Dhivehiޝައުޤުވެރި
Dogriदिलचस्प
Filipino (Tagalog)kawili-wili
Guaraniiporãite
Ilocanonadagem
Kriofayn
Kurdish (Sorani)سەرنج ڕاکێش
Maithiliमनभावक
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯈꯣꯏꯗꯥꯕ
Mizophurawm
Oromokan namatti tolu
Odia (Oriya)କ interesting ତୁହଳପ୍ରଦ |
Quechuachaniyuq
Sanskritरुचिकरम्‌
Tatarкызык
Tigrinyaዝፍቶ
Tsongatsakisa

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