Match in Different Languages
Discover 'Match' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'match' holds a significant place in our daily lives, often acting as a catalyst that brings people together, ignites passion, and creates harmony. Whether it's striking a match to light a candle or finding a suitable partner in life, the concept of a match is deeply ingrained in various aspects of our culture.
Historically, matches have played a crucial role in human development, with the first friction matches appearing in the 16th century. Today, matches are used in numerous settings, from lighting cigarettes to starting campfires, and they've even found their way into popular phrases like 'the perfect match.'
For those interested in language and culture, understanding the translation of 'match' in different languages can provide valuable insights into how different cultures perceive this simple yet powerful concept.
Here are a few examples of how 'match' is translated in various languages:
- Spanish: cerilla
- French: allumette
- German: Streichholz
- Italian: fiammifero
- Japanese: 火柴 (hi-kai)
- Chinese: 火柴 (huǒ chái)
- Russian: спичка (spichka)
- Hindi: अंगoothree (aNguthri)
- Arabic: قذوة (qadhah)
Match
Match in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | wedstryd | ||
| The word "wedstryd" is a compound of the words "wed" (pledge) and "stryd" (battle), suggesting a friendly competition or contest where participants test their skills against each other. | |||
| Amharic | ግጥሚያ | ||
| The word ግጥሚያ can also mean "a competition" or "an attempt". | |||
| Hausa | wasa | ||
| "Wasa" in Hausa can also mean "play" or "game", indicating its versatility beyond the realm of ignition. | |||
| Igbo | egwuregwu | ||
| The Igbo word "egwuregwu" translates to "game" but also refers to "wrestling" with the literal meaning of "play-fight" | |||
| Malagasy | mitovy | ||
| The word "mitovy" can also mean "friend" in Malagasy. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | machesi | ||
| In Nyanja, the word 'machesi' can also be used to mean 'stick' or 'wood' in some contexts. | |||
| Shona | mutambo | ||
| The Shona word "mutambo" can also refer to a meeting or gathering, or to a situation where two or more parties are in conflict. | |||
| Somali | ciyaar | ||
| The word | |||
| Sesotho | papali | ||
| "Papali" also means "a pair" or "a couple" in Sesotho, possibly referring to the two parts of a match. | |||
| Swahili | mechi | ||
| Mechi is also a unit of measurement for land in some parts of East Africa, roughly equivalent to 2 acres (0.81 hectares). | |||
| Xhosa | umdlalo | ||
| In addition to meaning "match," the Xhosa word "umdlalo" can also refer to a "competition" or "game."} | |||
| Yoruba | baramu | ||
| In Yoruba, "baramu" can also refer to a partner or colleague, as it is derived from the verb "ba," meaning "to join" or "to associate with." | |||
| Zulu | fanisa | ||
| The word 'fanisa' also means 'to disappear' or 'to vanish' in Zulu, which reflects its role in igniting and then being consumed by the fire. | |||
| Bambara | takala | ||
| Ewe | hoʋiʋli | ||
| Kinyarwanda | guhuza | ||
| Lingala | kokokana | ||
| Luganda | okwenkanankana | ||
| Sepedi | bapetša | ||
| Twi (Akan) | akansie | ||
Match in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | مباراة | ||
| The Arabic word "مباراة" can also refer to a competition or a game. | |||
| Hebrew | התאמה | ||
| Originally, התאמה meant "to fit together", but today it also means "to be equal or similar". | |||
| Pashto | لوبه | ||
| The word “لوبه” in Pashto also means “a small amount of something”. | |||
| Arabic | مباراة | ||
| The Arabic word "مباراة" can also refer to a competition or a game. | |||
Match in Western European Languages
| Albanian | ndeshje | ||
| Albanian word 'ndeshje' is a cognate of 'encounter' in many Indo-European languages, sharing the Proto-Indo-European root *h₁ent- (to meet). | |||
| Basque | partida | ||
| The word partida derives from the verb partidu, which means to divide or share. | |||
| Catalan | partit | ||
| "Partit" is derived from the Latin "partire", meaning "to divide or distribute" and also refers to a political party. | |||
| Croatian | podudarnost | ||
| The Croatian word "podudarnost" derives from the Slavic root pod- (under, below) and the noun uudar (impact, collision), hence its original meaning of "a striking against something." | |||
| Danish | match | ||
| Danish word "match" has the same root as the English word "mate" meaning "friend or partner". | |||
| Dutch | bij elkaar passen | ||
| The literal meaning of "bij elkaar passen" ("match") suggests a physical fit, and can also refer to compatibility and harmony. | |||
| English | match | ||
| The word 'match' comes from the Old French 'mesche', meaning 'wick' or 'cord' | |||
| French | rencontre | ||
| In French, the word "rencontre" can also mean "meeting" or "encounter". | |||
| Frisian | wedstriid | ||
| The word "wedstriid" is derived from the Old Frisian word "wedstrid", meaning "fight" or "competition". | |||
| Galician | xogo | ||
| In Galician, "xogo" can refer to a game, a match, or a lottery. | |||
| German | spiel | ||
| In German, the word "Spiel" can also refer to a game, a play, or a performance. | |||
| Icelandic | passa | ||
| The word "passa" in Icelandic can also refer to a competition or a test that involves competing against others in some way. | |||
| Irish | mheaitseáil | ||
| It also means 'equal' or 'similar' and is used in a grammatical sense to refer to the agreement of verbs with their subjects. | |||
| Italian | incontro | ||
| The Italian word "incontro" can also mean "meeting" or "encounter". | |||
| Luxembourgish | match | ||
| "Match" can also mean "mate" or "suit" in the Luxembourgish language. | |||
| Maltese | taqbila | ||
| Taqbila is also used in Maltese to mean 'a kind of sweet pie' | |||
| Norwegian | kamp | ||
| The word "kamp" in Norwegian can also refer to a camp, a battle, or a campaign. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | partida | ||
| "Partida" in Portuguese also means "departure" | |||
| Scots Gaelic | maids | ||
| In Scots Gaelic, "maids" is derived from the Old Norse word "meiðr" and can also refer to a meadow or grassy area. | |||
| Spanish | partido | ||
| The word "partido" in Spanish can also refer to a political party or a division of land. | |||
| Swedish | match | ||
| The word "match" is derived from the Old Norse word "maki", which means "pair", and it is related to the word "mate" in English. | |||
| Welsh | paru | ||
| In the Welsh language, the term | |||
Match in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | матч | ||
| In Belarusian "матч" also means a "duel", especially one with deadly weapons. | |||
| Bosnian | utakmicu | ||
| The word "utakmicu" also means "competition" or "contest" in Bosnian. | |||
| Bulgarian | съвпада | ||
| Bulgarian "съвпада" comes from "с" ("with") and "въпъвам" ("put on, fit into, coincide with"), and may also imply a "meeting" of sorts. | |||
| Czech | zápas | ||
| The word zápas is also used to refer to sports competitions. | |||
| Estonian | matš | ||
| In Hungarian, the word "match" translates to "gyufa", which also means "fire" or "light". | |||
| Finnish | ottelu | ||
| The noun "ottelu" derives from the verb "ottaa", meaning to "take" or "pick" in Finnish and shares the same roots with the word "ottava", meaning the "eighth" in music. | |||
| Hungarian | mérkőzés | ||
| The word "mérkőzés" is derived from the verb "mérni", meaning "to measure" or "to evaluate". | |||
| Latvian | spēles | ||
| The word "spēles" in Latvian also has the alternate meaning "game". | |||
| Lithuanian | rungtynės | ||
| In Lithuanian, "rungtynės" literally translates to "battle of hands" | |||
| Macedonian | натпревар | ||
| The word "натпревар" in Macedonian also means "competition" or "contest". | |||
| Polish | mecz | ||
| In Polish, «mecz» can also mean «duel» or «tournament». | |||
| Romanian | meci | ||
| The Romanian word 'meci' comes from the Hungarian word 'meccs', which in turn is derived from the English word 'match'. | |||
| Russian | соответствие | ||
| "Соответствие" means "match" but can also mean "conformity" and "agreement". | |||
| Serbian | меч | ||
| The term "меч" comes from the Serbian word "мешати" (mešati), and originally meant "intermingling" or "mixing". | |||
| Slovak | zápas | ||
| The word "zápas" can also mean "fight". | |||
| Slovenian | tekmo | ||
| The word 'tekmo' has alternative meanings such as 'to compete' and 'competition' | |||
| Ukrainian | матч | ||
| The word "матч" in Ukrainian also refers to a boxing bout or a football match. | |||
Match in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | ম্যাচ | ||
| In Bengali, the word "match" can be used not just to refer to the sporting concept, but also to a marriage proposal or a type of firearm cartridge. | |||
| Gujarati | મેચ | ||
| "મેચ" can also mean an attempt or an effort in Gujarati. | |||
| Hindi | मेल खाते हैं | ||
| The word 'मेल खाते हैं' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'mithuna', meaning 'pair'. | |||
| Kannada | ಹೊಂದಾಣಿಕೆ | ||
| The word "ಹೊಂದಾಣಿಕೆ" can also mean compatibility or agreement between two or more things, not just a sporting competition. | |||
| Malayalam | പൊരുത്തം | ||
| The Malayalam word "పొరుత్తం" can also refer to compatibility or harmony. | |||
| Marathi | सामना | ||
| The word 'सामना' (samana) in Marathi can also refer to a 'face-off' or 'confrontation' between two entities or sides. | |||
| Nepali | खेल | ||
| The word "खेल" (match) is derived from the Sanskrit word "kridati," which means "to play". | |||
| Punjabi | ਮੈਚ | ||
| Punjab's ਮੈਚ also refers to a type of oil lamp that lights a house. | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | තරගය | ||
| In Sinhala, "තරගය" (taragaya) also means "competition" or "contest." | |||
| Tamil | பொருத்துக | ||
| The word "பொருத்துக" (match) in Tamil can also mean "to fit", "to be compatible", or "to be appropriate". | |||
| Telugu | మ్యాచ్ | ||
| The word "మ్యాచ్" (match) in Telugu can also refer to a type of fireworks or a competition where two or more teams or individuals compete to achieve a specific goal. | |||
| Urdu | میچ | ||
| The Urdu word "میچ" can also refer to a wrestling competition. | |||
Match in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 比赛 | ||
| The Chinese word 比赛 ("match") is also used to mean "competition", "contest", or "rivalry". | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 比賽 | ||
| 比賽, 賽 or 比 in Chinese means a competition or a contest, as well as an amount or a number. | |||
| Japanese | 一致 | ||
| The term "match" in Japanese can refer to a competition, a pair of items, or a suitable mate. | |||
| Korean | 시합 | ||
| The word "시합" can also refer to a competition or a game. | |||
| Mongolian | тэмцээн | ||
| The word "тэмцээн" can also refer to a competition or contest. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | ပွဲစဉ် | ||
| The word "ပွဲစဉ်" originates from the Pali word "samāja", meaning "assembly" or "meeting". It can also refer to a set of games or contests played between two or more teams or individuals. | |||
Match in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | pertandingan | ||
| The word "pertandingan" in Indonesian also refers to a contest or competition | |||
| Javanese | tandhingan | ||
| The word "tandhingan" in Javanese can also refer to a comparison or a contest. | |||
| Khmer | ផ្គូផ្គង | ||
| The word “ផ្គូផ្គង” (“match”) in Khmer originally meant “to rub sticks together” and its meaning later extended to include “a device that provides fire.”. | |||
| Lao | ກົງກັນ | ||
| In some contexts, ກົງກັນ also means 'opposite' or 'in contrast' in Lao, not just 'match' | |||
| Malay | padanan | ||
| The word "padanan" in Malay can also mean "equivalent" or "counterpart." | |||
| Thai | การแข่งขัน | ||
| "การแข่งขัน" in Thai can also mean a contest, trial, competition, rivalry. | |||
| Vietnamese | trận đấu | ||
| The word "trận đấu" in Vietnamese can also mean "a duel" or "a battle." | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | tugma | ||
Match in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | matç | ||
| In Azerbaijani, | |||
| Kazakh | матч | ||
| The word "match" in Kazakh, "матч", also means "a pair" or "a set". | |||
| Kyrgyz | матч | ||
| The word “матч” (“match”) in Kyrgyz also means “competition” or “game”. | |||
| Tajik | гӯгирд | ||
| The word "гӯгирд" also means "sulfur" in Tajik; it is derived from the Middle Persian word "gugard". | |||
| Turkmen | gabat gel | ||
| Uzbek | o'yin | ||
| The word "o'yin" can also refer to a game, play, or performance in Uzbek. | |||
| Uyghur | match | ||
Match in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | kūlike | ||
| The word "kūlike" also means "equal" or "alike" in Hawaiian. | |||
| Maori | ōritenga | ||
| The word "ōritenga" can also refer to"the wick of a candle" or the"fuses of a gun" | |||
| Samoan | afitusi | ||
| In addition to meaning 'match', 'afitusi' can also mean 'marriage'. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | tugma | ||
| The word "tugma" in Tagalog (Filipino) may also refer to a pair of similar or identical things, or to a point or object that serves as a guide or reference. | |||
Match in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | anataña | ||
| Guarani | partido | ||
Match in International Languages
| Esperanto | matĉo | ||
| The word "matĉo" is derived from the English word "match", meaning a contest or competition. | |||
| Latin | par | ||
| The Latin word "par" also means "pair," "equal," or "similar." | |||
Match in Others Languages
| Greek | αγώνας | ||
| The Greek word "αγώνας" can also refer to a competition, struggle, or effort. | |||
| Hmong | phim | ||
| "Phim" can also be used to describe the first time a person participates in or experiences something. | |||
| Kurdish | wekwî | ||
| "Wekwî" also means "match" in the sense of "equal" or "identical". | |||
| Turkish | eşleşme | ||
| In Turkish, the word "eşleşme" can also refer to a pair of socks or a compatibility test. | |||
| Xhosa | umdlalo | ||
| In addition to meaning "match," the Xhosa word "umdlalo" can also refer to a "competition" or "game."} | |||
| Yiddish | גלייַכן | ||
| The Yiddish word "גלייַכן" (match) derives from the German "gleichen", meaning "to match" or "to be equal". | |||
| Zulu | fanisa | ||
| The word 'fanisa' also means 'to disappear' or 'to vanish' in Zulu, which reflects its role in igniting and then being consumed by the fire. | |||
| Assamese | মিল থকা | ||
| Aymara | anataña | ||
| Bhojpuri | मैच | ||
| Dhivehi | މެޗް | ||
| Dogri | मेल | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | tugma | ||
| Guarani | partido | ||
| Ilocano | ipada | ||
| Krio | mach | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | یاری | ||
| Maithili | मिलान | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯆꯥꯟꯅꯕ | ||
| Mizo | inmil | ||
| Oromo | walsimuu | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ମ୍ୟାଚ୍ | ||
| Quechua | tupaq | ||
| Sanskrit | मेलनम् | ||
| Tatar | матч | ||
| Tigrinya | ግጥም | ||
| Tsonga | fananisa | ||