Library in different languages

Library in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

A library is a place where knowledge and culture come together, a sanctuary for the curious and the seekers of truth. It is a symbol of human civilization's thirst for knowledge and the desire to preserve and share it with future generations. From ancient scrolls to modern e-books, libraries have evolved with technology, but their essence remains the same.

The significance of libraries goes beyond their function as a repository of books. They are community hubs, where people can gather, learn, and connect. They are also symbols of social equality, providing free access to information and resources for all. In many parts of the world, libraries are the only source of knowledge and education for people who cannot afford them otherwise.

Understanding the translation of the word 'library' in different languages can open up a world of cultural exchange and appreciation. For example, in Spanish, it's 'biblioteca', in French, it's 'bibliothèque', in German, it's 'Bibliothek', in Russian, it's 'библиотека' (biblioteka), in Chinese, it's '图书馆' (túshūguǎn), and in Japanese, it's '図書館' (toshokan).

Stay tuned for a comprehensive list of translations of the word 'library' in various languages, each with its unique cultural context and significance.

Library


Library in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansbiblioteek
The Afrikaans word "biblioteek" comes from the Dutch word "bibliotheek", which itself derives from the Latin word "bibliotheca", ultimately derived from the Greek "biblion" (book) and "theke" (container).
Amharicቤተ መጻሕፍት
The word "ቤተመጻሕፍት" literally means "house of books" and is derived from the Ge'ez words "ቤት" (house) and "መጽሐፍ" (book).
Hausalaburare
Laburare's etymology suggests that it refers to a gathering place for sharing intellectual resources.
Igboọba akwụkwọ
Malagasyfitehirizam-boky
The word 'fitehirizam-boky' is derived from the words 'fitehirizana' meaning 'treasure' and 'boky' meaning 'book', thus literally translating to 'treasure of books'.
Nyanja (Chichewa)laibulale
The word "laibulale" derives from the word "laibulalo" which means "a place of reading".
Shonaraibhurari
Raibhurari is derived from the English word 'library,' and it shares the same meaning.
Somalimaktabada
The word "maktabada" in Somali originates from the Arabic word "maktab" (office or school), further derived from the Persian word "maktab" (place of study).
Sesotholaeborari
"Laeborari" means "book hut" and is derived from Dutch "bibliotheek"
Swahilimaktaba
In Swahili, "maktaba" can also mean "office" or "workshop", and is related to the Arabic word "maktab" (school).
Xhosaithala leencwadi
Derived from the Zulu word “ithala”, meaning a place of storage.
Yorubaìkàwé
'Ìkàwé' literally translates to "the house of gathering" in Yoruba, signifying the library's role as a repository of knowledge.
Zuluumtapo wezincwadi
The term, 'umtapo wezincwadi', is not a direct translation of, 'library', yet it is its most apt approximation in isiZulu.
Bambaragafekalanyɔrɔ
Eweagbalẽdzraɖoƒe
Kinyarwandaisomero
Lingalabiblioteke
Lugandaekizimbe ekibeeramu ebitabo
Sepedibokgobapuku
Twi (Akan)laabri

Library in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicمكتبة
The word "مكتبة" can also refer to a "bookcase" or a "collection of books" depending on context.
Hebrewסִפְרִיָה
סִפְרִיָה derives from the root ס-פ-ר (s-f-r), meaning "to count," and also "to write," or "to record."
Pashtoکتابتون
This word literally translates as “place of scribes” or “house of writers” and refers to a place where books and manuscripts were written and stored, usually in religious institutions.
Arabicمكتبة
The word "مكتبة" can also refer to a "bookcase" or a "collection of books" depending on context.

Library in Western European Languages

Albanianlibrari
"Librari" in Albanian is ultimately derived from the Latin word "liber", meaning "book", and also refers to a "bookcase" or "bookbinder".
Basqueliburutegia
The Basque word 'liburutegia' means 'library' in English, and derives from the Latin words 'liber', meaning 'book', and 'theca', meaning 'box' or 'container'.
Catalanbiblioteca
The word "biblioteca" is derived from the Latin "bibliothēca", which in turn comes from the Greek "biblion" (book) and "thēkē" (container).
Croatianknjižnica
The word “knjižnica” originally meant a place where public documents were kept and only later took on the meaning of a collection of books.
Danishbibliotek
"Bibliotek" derives from the Greek "biblion" (book) and "theke" (container).
Dutchbibliotheek
The Dutch word "bibliotheek" shares its Proto-Germanic root with the English word "book".
Englishlibrary
The word 'library' originates from the Latin 'liber' (book), meaning 'a collection of books'.
Frenchbibliothèque
"Bibliothèque" can also mean "a collection of books on a particular subject" or "a bookcase" in French.
Frisianbiblioteek
In Frisian, "biblioteek" may also refer to a specific collection of books or a reading room.
Galicianbiblioteca
In Galician, besides "library" 'biblioteca' also means "archive" or "bookshop"
Germanbibliothek
"Bibliothek" derives from Greek "biblion" (scroll, book) and "theke" (place, depository), akin to the Latin "bibliotheca" (collection of books).
Icelandicbókasafn
The word 'bókasafn' may also refer to a specific collection of books, such as a personal library, or to the building that houses the collection.
Irishleabharlann
The term leabharlann (library) is derived from the Irish words leabhar (book) and lann (enclosure, house).
Italianbiblioteca
"Biblioteca" derives from Latin "bibliothēca", from Greek "βιβλιοθήκη" (bibliotheke), meaning "bookcase".
Luxembourgishbibliothéik
Bibliothéik (library) derives from the Greek βιβλιοθήκη, referring to a place where books are kept and collected.
Malteselibrerija
"Librerija" in Maltese traces its roots to the Latin word "libraria," meaning "relating to books" or "a place where books are stored."
Norwegianbibliotek
The Norwegian word «bibliotek» is of Greek origin, derived from «biblion» meaning «book» and «theke» meaning «container».
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)biblioteca
The word "biblioteca" derives from Latin "bibliothēca", ultimately originating from the Greek word for "book", βιβλίον (biblion).
Scots Gaelicleabharlann
"Leabharlann" derives from the Old Irish "leabhar" (book) and "lann" (church) and originally referred to a place where religious texts were stored.
Spanishbiblioteca
The word "biblioteca" derives from the Latin "bibliotheca", itself taken from the Greek "bibliothēkē", meaning "collection of books".
Swedishbibliotek
The word "bibliotek" originates from the Greek "biblion" (book) and "theke" (case) and can also refer to a bookshelf or bookcase.
Welshllyfrgell
The Welsh word llyfrgell is derived from the Latin word liber, meaning book, and the Celtic suffix -gell, meaning a place.

Library in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianбібліятэка
In Belarusian, "бібліятэка" also means "a collection of books related to a specific subject or author."
Bosnianbiblioteka
The word "biblioteka" also means "repository" in Bosnian.
Bulgarianбиблиотека
The word "библиотека" is derived from the Greek word "βιβλιοθήκη", meaning "bookcase" or "book collection".
Czechknihovna
The Czech word “knihovna” comes from the German “Knabe,” meaning “servant.”
Estonianraamatukogu
The word "raamatukogu" is derived from the Estonian words "raamat" (book) and "kogu" (collection).
Finnishkirjasto
The Finnish word "kirjasto" originates from the Greek "bibliotheca", which means "place for books".
Hungariankönyvtár
Könyvtár originated as a compound noun of the words 'könyv' (book) and 'tár' (container), and was first used in the 15th century.
Latvianbibliotēka
The word "bibliotēka" ultimately derives from the Greek word for "book" and the suffix "-thekē" meaning "container".
Lithuanianbiblioteka
The word "biblioteka" is derived from the Greek word "biblion" meaning "book" and "theke" meaning "container". It can also be used to refer to a person who works in a library.
Macedonianбиблиотека
The word "библиотека" (library) is derived from the Greek word "βιβλιοθήκη" (bibliotheke), which means "bookcase" or "collection of books".
Polishbiblioteka
The Polish term "biblioteka" derives from the Latin "bibliotheca" and originally denoted a room or a cabinet for storing books.
Romanianbibliotecă
In Romanian, "bibliotecă" can also refer to a bookcase or collection of books.
Russianбиблиотека
The word "библиотека" (library) comes from the Greek word "βιβλιοθήκη" (bibliotheke), which means "bookcase" or "collection of books."
Serbianбиблиотека
"Библиотека" in Serbian ultimately derives from the Greek word "bibliotheke," meaning "bookcase" or "collection of books."
Slovakknižnica
The word "knižnica" evolved from the Proto-Slavic word "kniga", meaning "book".
Slovenianknjižnica
The word "knjižnica" may have roots in Slavic languages, potentially originating from the Bulgarian word "knigh" meaning "book".
Ukrainianбібліотека
The Ukrainian word "бібліотека" is derived from the Greek word "βιβλιοθήκη" meaning "book collection".

Library in South Asian Languages

Bengaliগ্রন্থাগার
The word "গ্রন্থাগার" originally denoted a "collection of books", with "গ্রন্থ" meaning "book" and "আগার" indicating a room or storehouse.
Gujaratiપુસ્તકાલય
The word "પુસ્તકાલય" is derived from the Sanskrit words "pustaka" (book) and "alaya" (house), indicating a "house of books".
Hindiपुस्तकालय
The word "पुस्तकालय" also means "place of books" or "collection of books" in Hindi.
Kannadaಗ್ರಂಥಾಲಯ
In ancient Kannada, the word “ಗ್ರಂಥಾಲಯ” (“granthalaya”) specifically referred to a repository for religious books and manuscripts.
Malayalamപുസ്തകശാല
The word "പുസ്തകശാല" can also mean "a collection of books" or "a place where books are stored" in Malayalam.
Marathiग्रंथालय
The word ग्रंथालय (granthalaya) is derived from the Sanskrit words "grantha" (book) and "alaya" (house).
Nepaliपुस्तकालय
The word "पुस्तकालय" (library) comes from the Sanskrit word "पुस्तक" (book) and the Persian word "خانه" (house).
Punjabiਲਾਇਬ੍ਰੇਰੀ
The word "ਲਾਇਬ੍ਰੇਰੀ" likely derives from the Latin word "liber", meaning "book". It may also refer to a room or building where books are kept, or to a collection of books.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)පුස්තකාලය
The word 'පුස්තකාලය' is derived from the Sanskrit words 'पुस्तक' (book) and 'आलय' (house), meaning 'a house of books'.
Tamilநூலகம்
The word "நூலகம்" (noolāgam) can also refer to a collection or compendium, such as a set of books or scriptures.
Teluguగ్రంధాలయం
Urduکتب خانہ
The word "کتب خانہ" is derived from Persian and literally means "house of books."

Library in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)图书馆
图书馆一词由“图”和“书”两个汉字组成,其中“图”意为图像或书籍,“书”意为文字或书面记录,合起来意为存放和保存图像、书籍的场所。
Chinese (Traditional)圖書館
In Traditional Chinese, "圖書館" can also refer to a book depository or a collection of books.
Japanese図書館
The first element of 図書館 (toshokan), 図書 (tosho) means books or documents.
Korean도서관
도서관 is also the Korean name for a bookstore, as many Korean bookstores also have a section for lending books to readers.
Mongolianномын сан
The word "номын сан" can also refer to a "bookcase".
Myanmar (Burmese)စာကြည့်တိုက်

Library in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianperpustakaan
The word "Perpustakaan" derives from the Sanskrit word "pustaka,
Javaneseperpustakaan
The Javanese word "perpustakaan" is derived from Sanskrit, meaning "collection of books" or "place of knowledge."
Khmerបណ្ណាល័យ
The word "បណ្ណាល័យ" in Khmer is derived from Sanskrit and has alternate meanings of "book repository" or "place of learning".
Laoຫ້ອງສະຫມຸດ
Malayperpustakaan
The Malay word "perpustakaan" derives from the Sanskrit word "pustaka" meaning "books", and originally referred to a collection of writings on palm leaves.
Thaiห้องสมุด
The word “ห้องสมุด” (“library”) is derived from the Sanskrit word “pustakalaya” meaning “place of books”.
Vietnamesethư viện
The Vietnamese word "thư viện" originally referred to a place for storing books, but later expanded to include a place for reading and studying.
Filipino (Tagalog)aklatan

Library in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanikitabxana
"Kitabxana" also refers to a specific section in mosques or palaces designated for storing books and manuscripts, and is often associated with centers of Islamic scholarship.
Kazakhкітапхана
The word "кітапхана" is derived from the Persian word "kitabkhaneh", meaning "book house". It can also refer to a bookstore or a collection of books.
Kyrgyzкитепкана
The word "китепкана" is derived from the Persian word "kitāb", meaning "book", and the suffix "-xana", meaning "place". It can also refer to a bookstore.
Tajikкитобхона
The word "китобхона" in Tajik comes from the Persian word "کتب خانه" ( "ketab-khaneh"), which itself is a loanword from the Arabic word "كتاب خانه" ( "kitab-khana"), meaning "house of books."
Turkmenkitaphanasy
Uzbekkutubxona
Kutubxona is a compound of two words: "kutub", which has an Arabic origin and means "books", and "xona", which is Persian for "room" or "house".
Uyghurكۈتۈپخانا

Library in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianhale waihona puke
This phrase, which translates to "gathering place for learning," reveals that these ancient Hawaiians viewed literacy as a shared journey.
Maoriwhare pukapuka
The Maori word 'whare pukapuka' literally translates to 'house of books', highlighting the importance of knowledge and education in Maori culture.
Samoanfaletusi
The word "faletusi" can also refer to a traditional Samoan home built for storing food and other valuables.
Tagalog (Filipino)silid aklatan
Silid aklatan may have originally meant an 'exhibition hall of books' before it gained its current meaning.

Library in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaraullañuta
Guaraniarandukarenda

Library in International Languages

Esperantobiblioteko
"Biblioteko" comes from the Greek word "bibliotheke", which originally meant "a collection of books".
Latinbibliotheca
Bibliotheca is a Latin word originally meaning a collection of books copied or collected by an individual for private use, or a place where such a collection is kept.

Library in Others Languages

Greekβιβλιοθήκη
The word "βιβλιοθήκη" comes from the Greek words "βιβλίον" (book) and "θήκη" (container), so it literally means "book container".
Hmongtsev qiv ntawv
The word "tsev qiv ntawv" (library) in Hmong also means "books of knowledge" or "place of many books".
Kurdishpirtûkxane
The word "pirtûkxane" derives from the Persian words "pirtûk" (book) and "xane" (house), meaning "house of books".
Turkishkütüphane
The word "kütüphane" derives from the Persian word "ketaab khaneh", meaning "book house."
Xhosaithala leencwadi
Derived from the Zulu word “ithala”, meaning a place of storage.
Yiddishביבליאָטעק
The Yiddish word "ביבליאָטעק" is derived from the Greek word for book, "βιβλιοθήκη".
Zuluumtapo wezincwadi
The term, 'umtapo wezincwadi', is not a direct translation of, 'library', yet it is its most apt approximation in isiZulu.
Assameseপুথিভঁৰাল
Aymaraullañuta
Bhojpuriपुस्तकालय
Dhivehiކުތުބުޚާނާ
Dogriलाइब्रेरी
Filipino (Tagalog)aklatan
Guaraniarandukarenda
Ilocanobiblioteka
Kriolaybri
Kurdish (Sorani)کتێبخانە
Maithiliपुस्तकालय
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯂꯥꯏꯔꯤꯛ ꯊꯝꯐꯝ
Mizolibrary
Oromomana kitaabaa
Odia (Oriya)ଲାଇବ୍ରେରୀ |
Quechuayachay taqi
Sanskritपुस्तकालय
Tatarкитапханә
Tigrinyaቤተ ንባበ
Tsongalayiburari

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