Kind in different languages

Kind in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'kind' holds a profound significance in our daily lives, often used to describe a person's nature, behavior, or actions. It is a cultural cornerstone, symbolizing empathy, compassion, and generosity across the globe. Understanding its translation in different languages can open doors to cross-cultural communication and foster global unity.

Historically, the concept of 'kindness' has been celebrated in literature and philosophy, from Aesop's fables to Aristotle's 'Nicomachean Ethics'. It is a universal language that transcends borders and connects us all. For instance, in Spanish, 'kind' translates to 'amable', in French to 'gentil', and in German to 'freundlich'.

Delving into the translations of 'kind' not only enriches our vocabulary but also deepens our appreciation for the diversity and similarity of human experiences. Join us as we explore the many faces of 'kind' in a variety of languages.

Kind


Kind in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansvriendelik
The word "vriendelik" comes from the Dutch word "vriendelijk", which means "friendly" or "kind".
Amharicደግ
The word 'ደግ' is primarily an adjective meaning 'kind' or 'pleasant', but it can also mean 'calm', 'tranquil' or 'peaceful' in Amharic.
Hausairin
The word "irin" in Hausa also means "type" or "variety" and is related to the word "irinwa" which means "difference".
Igboobiọma
The word "obiọma" is said to mean "kind" because it is derived from the words "ọbi" (heart) and "ọma" (good).
Malagasyahoana
The Malagasy word "AHOANA" can also mean "sweet" or "nice".
Nyanja (Chichewa)wokoma mtima
The Nyanja word "wokoma mtima" also translates to "being at peace or having rest of mind."
Shonamutsa
"Mutsa" has secondary meanings of "to have mercy" and "to have pity".
Somalinooc
The word "nooc" can also be translated as "nice", "good", or "beautiful" in Somali.
Sesothomosa
The word "mosa" in Sesotho can also mean "beautiful" or "handsome."
Swahiliaina
The word "aina" can also mean "indeed" or "really" in Swahili.
Xhosaunobubele
"Unobubele" is sometimes applied to inanimate objects in Xhosa, especially in the Eastern Cape, similar to the English word "nice" used to describe something that is of good quality or appearance.
Yorubairu
The Yoruba word 'Iru' can also refer to a type of tree or its seed, which is used as a spice in traditional cuisine.
Zuluunomusa
The noun unomusa in Zulu can also refer to 'the quality of goodness' or 'kindness of a person'.
Bambarasugu
Ewenyo dɔme
Kinyarwandaubwoko
Lingalamalamu
Lugandakisa
Sepedimohuta
Twi (Akan)ayamye

Kind in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicطيب القلب
The Arabic word 'طيب القلب' ('kind') contains the root 'طيب' ('good') referring to a person with a good heart.
Hebrewסוג
סוג - also means "style" or "type" in Hebrew.
Pashtoمهربان
مهربان, meaning “kind” in Pashto, is derived from the compound Persian word مهر بان where مهر refers to “love” or “affection” and بان to “giver”, hence the meaning “kind”.
Arabicطيب القلب
The Arabic word 'طيب القلب' ('kind') contains the root 'طيب' ('good') referring to a person with a good heart.

Kind in Western European Languages

Albaniani sjellshëm
The Albanian word "i sjellshëm" is also used to describe someone who is polite or well-behaved.
Basqueatsegina
The word "atsegina" is related to the word "atse" which means "taste" in Basque
Catalanamable
"Amable" in Catalan comes from the Latin "amabilis" which means "worthy of being loved".
Croatianljubazan
The Croatian word “ljubazan” can also be used to describe someone who is pleasant, lovely, cordial, or affable.
Danishvenlig
The word "venlig" is derived from the Old Norse word "vinr" meaning "friend", and can also mean "hospitable" or "gracious".
Dutchsoort
The word "soort" in Dutch also refers to a group of animals or plants that share common characteristics.
Englishkind
The word "kind" comes from the Old English word "cynd", which means "birth" or "origin".
Frenchgentil
The French word "gentil" derives from the Latin word "gentilis", meaning foreign or pagan to Romans, and has evolved over time to mean kind or well-mannered.
Frisiansoart
The word "soart" in Frisian is cognate with the Dutch word "zoet" and the German word "süß", all of which mean "sweet".
Galicianamable
In Galician, "amable" not only means "kind" but also "friendly, pleasant, or agreeable."
Germannett
The word "nett" is derived from the Middle High German "nedec," meaning "pleasant" or "agreeable."
Icelandicgóður
The word "góður" is often used to describe a person who is physically attractive or well-dressed, in addition to its primary meaning of "kind".
Irishcineálta
The Irish word "cineálta" is thought to have been derived from the Proto-Celtic root "*kenet-," meaning "family" or "clan."
Italiangenere
The Italian word "genere" comes from the Latin word "genus", which means "origin" or "source".
Luxembourgishléif
Léif is the result of a contraction from the words 'leiwen' and 'fréit', which respectively mean 'to care' and 'joy', originating from Old High German 'liub' and 'freud'
Maltesetip
The word "tip" is also used to refer to a gratuity given to service staff, such as in a restaurant.
Norwegiansnill
In some dialects, "snill" can also mean "cunning" or "sly".
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)tipo
'Tipo' can also mean 'guy' or 'a sort of'.
Scots Gaeliccoibhneil
The word "coibhneil" can also refer to the act of keeping something secret.
Spanishtipo
In 16th century Spanish, "tipo" also referred to one's type or nature and could be used to describe personality traits.
Swedishsnäll
The word "snäll" is cognate with the English word "sniveling".
Welshcaredig
The word “caredig” can also be used to refer to someone or something that is dear to you.

Kind in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianласкавы
The word "ласкавы" can also mean "affectionate" or "courteous" in Belarusian.
Bosnianvrsta
The word "vrsta" originally meant "sort" or "type".
Bulgarianмил
The word "мил" in Bulgarian comes from the Proto-Slavic word *milъ, meaning "dear" or "beloved".
Czechdruh
"Drůbež" (poultry) comes from the same root as "druh" (kind).
Estonianlahke
The word 'lahkle' has a doublet 'lahti', the obsolete form 'lahge' and the derivative 'lahtjema' which means 'to be gentle'.
Finnishystävällinen
The word 'ystävällinen' comes from the word 'ystävä', meaning 'friend', and originally meant 'pertaining to a friend' or 'friendly'.
Hungariankedves
In Hungarian, "kedves" also means "dear" or "beloved" and is typically used in informal settings.
Latvianlaipns
The Latvian word "laipns" may originally derive from an Indo-European root that also produced words like "friend" in English, meaning one who is amiable, or "friendly"}
Lithuanianmalonus
The word "malonus" ultimately derives from the Balto-Slavic root *mel-, meaning "pleasant".
Macedoniankindубезен
The word "kindубезен" can also mean "gentle" or "well-mannered" in Macedonian.
Polishuprzejmy
The word "uprzejmy" is derived from the Old Polish word "u(d)przątać," meaning "to clean" or "to put in order."
Romaniandrăguț
Drăguț originates from the Slavic word 'drag' meaning 'dear'.
Russianдобрый
Russian word "Добрый" also means "good" or "healthy", and derives from "добро" ("good")
Serbianврста
In addition to 'kind', the Serbian word 'врста' can also mean 'species', 'type', or 'genre'.
Slovakmilý
The word "milý" also has the meaning of "dear" or "beloved" in Slovak.
Slovenianprijazna
Prijazna means “friendly” in Slovenian, and is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *prih₂- (“to please”).
Ukrainianвид
In addition to 'kind', the Ukrainian word 'вид' can also refer to 'type', 'species', 'view', or 'form'.

Kind in South Asian Languages

Bengaliসদয়
"সদয়" (pronounced as 'shudoy') is a Sanskrit borrowing that was derived from "সৎ" (pronounced as 'sot'), meaning "good" or "true", and "দয়" (pronounced as 'dôy'), meaning "mercy" or "compassion".
Gujaratiદયાળુ
The word "દયાળુ" in Gujarati derives from the Sanskrit word "dayālu" and also means "compassionate" or "charitable".
Hindiमेहरबान
The word "मेहरबान" is derived from the Persian word "مهربان" which means "sun-faced" or "auspicious."
Kannadaರೀತಿಯ
'ರೀತಿಯ' is also used to refer to the 'style of speaking' in Kannada.
Malayalamദയ
The word "ദയ" (daya) in Malayalam has Sanskrit origins and can also mean "mercy" or "compassion".
Marathiदयाळू
The Marathi word 'दयाळू' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'दयालु,' which means 'compassionate' or 'merciful'.
Nepaliदयालु
"दयालु" is derived from Sanskrit "दया" meaning compassion, kindness, or mercy.
Punjabiਕਿਸਮ ਦੀ
This word shares its etymology with the Hindi word 'qism,' and carries the alternate meaning of 'sort' or 'category'.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)කාරුණික
The word "කාරුණික" derives from the Sanskrit "karuṇā" meaning "compassion". It can also mean "merciful" or "forgiving".
Tamilகருணை
The Tamil word 'கருணை' is etymologically related to Sanskrit word
Teluguరకం
"రకం" is a word that was borrowed from the Sanskrit word "prakāra," and it originally meant "sort" or "type".
Urduقسم
The word "قسم" in Urdu can also mean "oath" or "vow".

Kind in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)
类, as a Chinese character, has the connotation of "rank" or "species".
Chinese (Traditional)
類, meaning "kind," also refers to "classify," "category," or "class" in the sense of a group of related things.
Japanese種類
The word "種類" is derived from the Chinese word "種類", meaning "category" or "type". It can also refer to a "variety" or "species" of something.
Korean종류
Korean “종류” (“kind”) means “type or variety”, and also “sort, brand or model”, and “category or class”.
Mongolianсайхан сэтгэлтэй
~ The word "сайхан сэтгэлтэй" can also be used to mean "good-hearted" and "sympathetic" in Mongolian.
Myanmar (Burmese)ကြင်နာ
"ကြင်နာ" is derived from the Pali word "kalyāna", which also means "good" or "beautiful".

Kind in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianjenis
The word "jenis" is also used in Indonesian to refer to the variety of a plant or animal species.
Javaneseapik
The word "apik" in Javanese is also a homophone for "baik", which means "good" in Indonesian and is often used as a term of praise.
Khmerប្រភេទ
The word "ប្រភេទ" in Khmer can also mean "type" or "category".
Laoປະເພດ
The Lao word "ປະເພດ" is derived from the Pali word "paṭipadā," meaning "conduct," "behavior," or "practice."
Malaybaik hati
The word "baik hati" in Malay is often used to mean "good hearted", and is typically translated as "kind" in English.
Thaiชนิด
The Thai word "ชนิด" (pronounced “chon-nid”) can also mean “category,” “type,” “variety,” or “group.”
Vietnamesetốt bụng
The word "Tốt bụng" in Vietnamese can also mean "generous" or "compassionate".
Filipino (Tagalog)mabait

Kind in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanimehriban
The Persian word "mehrban" entered Old Turkic and was then transformed into the Old Azerbaijani word "mehrüban" which then meant "generous".
Kazakhмейірімді
The word "мейірімді" is derived from the Persian word "مهربان" (mehrban), which also means "kind" or "compassionate".
Kyrgyzбоорукер
The root "боор" means "heart", suggesting the idea of kindness as a heartfelt emotion
Tajikмеҳрубон
The word "меҳрубон" in Tajik comes from the Proto-Iranian word *miθra-bānu-, meaning "loving" or "compassionate."
Turkmengörnüşli
Uzbekmehribon
Mehribon derives from the Persian mehriban, meaning affectionate or benevolent.
Uyghurkind

Kind in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianʻoluʻolu
The Hawaiian word ʻoluʻolu means 'kind,' 'gentle,' or 'pleasant,' and comes from the word ʻolu, which means 'cool' or 'calm.'
Maoriatawhai
Ata whai translates to ‘towards dawn,’ the time at the very end of night when it begins to get brighter, so ‘atawhai,’ or kind, could be understood in the same sense as this time.
Samoanagalelei
The word 'agalelei' can also refer to 'peacefulness' or 'serenity'.
Tagalog (Filipino)mabait
"Mabait" shares an etymological origin with the word "bait" in English, which both originate from the Proto-Austronesian term "*bahay" meaning "home".

Kind in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarakasta
Guaranirory

Kind in International Languages

Esperantobonkora
The Esperanto word 'bonkora' is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *meǵʰ-, meaning 'great' or 'strong'.
Latingenus
In Latin, 'genus' can also refer to a race, family line, or birth.

Kind in Others Languages

Greekείδος
The word "είδος" in Greek can also mean "form" or "shape" and is related to the Proto-Indo-European root *wid- meaning "to see".
Hmonghom
Hom, a Hmong word for "kind," also means "to lead; to guide" in other contexts.
Kurdishhevalbend
In Kurdish, 'hevalbend' refers to comradeship, companionship, or a strong emotional bond.
Turkishtür
Tür's alternate meanings include "style," "species," and "type."
Xhosaunobubele
"Unobubele" is sometimes applied to inanimate objects in Xhosa, especially in the Eastern Cape, similar to the English word "nice" used to describe something that is of good quality or appearance.
Yiddishמין
The Yiddish word "מין" can also refer to a type of animal or an unspecified person.
Zuluunomusa
The noun unomusa in Zulu can also refer to 'the quality of goodness' or 'kindness of a person'.
Assameseদয়ালু
Aymarakasta
Bhojpuriदयालू
Dhivehiހިތްހެޔޮ
Dogriकिरपालू
Filipino (Tagalog)mabait
Guaranirory
Ilocanokita
Kriokayn
Kurdish (Sorani)جۆر
Maithiliप्रकार
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯃꯈꯜ
Mizolainat
Oromoakaakuu
Odia (Oriya)ପ୍ରକାର
Quechuaallin
Sanskritदयालु
Tatarигелекле
Tigrinyaርህሩህ
Tsongatintswalo

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