Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'monitor' holds great significance in our daily lives, often associated with technology and surveillance. Its origins date back to the 16th century, derived from the Latin word monere, meaning 'to warn'. Historically, a monitor was a device used to detect and warn of hazards, but today it's a versatile term referring to many things, from computer screens to classroom assistants.
Monitors are culturally important too. In education, a monitor is a student leader, fostering a sense of responsibility and community. In media, a monitor refers to a continuous broadcast, reflecting our need for constant information and connection. These diverse connotations show how the word 'monitor' has evolved and adapted with society.
Knowing the translation of 'monitor' in different languages can be beneficial for global communication. For instance, in Spanish, it's 'monitor', in French, it's 'moniteur', and in German, it's 'Monitor'. Understanding these translations can help bridge language barriers and enrich cultural interactions.
Afrikaans | monitor | ||
The Afrikaans word "monitor" can also refer to a lizard, typically one that is large and slow-moving. | |||
Amharic | ተቆጣጠር | ||
The word "ተቆጣጠር" also means "to be disciplined" and "to be careful" in Amharic. | |||
Hausa | saka idanu | ||
The Hausa word 'saka idanu' originally referred to a small, lizard-like animal believed to be able to cure illnesses. | |||
Igbo | nyochaa | ||
Igbo word "nyochaa" has several meanings including but not limited to, 'monitor,' "examine," and "inspect." | |||
Malagasy | monitor | ||
'Monitor', borrowed from English but also used with the Malagasy spelling 'monitera', can be used as both a person (pupil's aide) or electronic equipment (computer, television). | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | kuyang'anira | ||
The word "kuyang'anira" can also mean "to supervise" or "to oversee". | |||
Shona | tarisa | ||
The word 'tarisa' in Shona can also refer to a 'lookout' or a 'sentry'. | |||
Somali | kormeer | ||
The word "kormeer" in Somali may also mean "to watch over" or "to keep an eye on". | |||
Sesotho | hlokomela | ||
The word “hlokomela” is derived from the verb hlokomela (v.), which means to watch over, guard or protect. | |||
Swahili | kufuatilia | ||
The Swahili word "kufuatilia" can also mean "to trace" or "to follow". | |||
Xhosa | esweni | ||
In Xhosa 'esweni' can refer to a type of lizard or to a device for keeping time | |||
Yoruba | atẹle | ||
The word "atẹle" can also mean "spokesperson" or "representative" in Yoruba. | |||
Zulu | qapha | ||
The Zulu word "qapha" can also refer to a "book" | |||
Bambara | degebaga | ||
Ewe | ɖia | ||
Kinyarwanda | gukurikirana | ||
Lingala | kolandela | ||
Luganda | okukebera | ||
Sepedi | bea leihlo | ||
Twi (Akan) | ani di akyire | ||
Arabic | مراقب | ||
مراقب ('monitor' in Arabic) also means 'caregiver', deriving from 'to observe', 'to guard' | |||
Hebrew | לפקח | ||
This term (לפקח) also means 'to open one's eyes widely,' especially in reaction to something astonishing or unpleasant. | |||
Pashto | څارنه | ||
The Pashto word "څارنه" also has the meaning of "supervision" and "inspection". | |||
Arabic | مراقب | ||
مراقب ('monitor' in Arabic) also means 'caregiver', deriving from 'to observe', 'to guard' |
Albanian | monitor | ||
In Albanian, "monitor" can also refer to a mentor, advisor, or supervisor. | |||
Basque | monitore | ||
The Basque word "monitore" also means "to advise" or "to warn". | |||
Catalan | monitor | ||
The word "monitor" in Catalan also means "adviser" or "teacher's assistant". | |||
Croatian | monitor | ||
The word 'monitor' in Croatian also refers to a mythical guardian reptile. | |||
Danish | overvåge | ||
Overvåge is cognate with the English verb 'overwatch'. | |||
Dutch | toezicht houden op | ||
The Dutch phrase "toezicht houden op" can also mean "to oversee" or "to supervise". | |||
English | monitor | ||
The word "monitor" stems from the Latin "monere," meaning "to remind or warn." | |||
French | moniteur | ||
In French, 'moniteur' can also refer to a supervisor, instructor, or mentor. | |||
Frisian | monitor | ||
In Frisian, "monitor" can mean both "monitor" and "female supervisor of a girls' or women's institution such as a prison or school". | |||
Galician | monitor | ||
"Monitor" can also mean "monitor lizard" in Spanish (specifically in its Galician variant). | |||
German | monitor | ||
"Monitor" in German can also refer to an administrative department in a school or organization. | |||
Icelandic | fylgjast með | ||
The word "fylgjast með" can also mean "to follow" or "to accompany" in Icelandic. | |||
Irish | monatóireacht | ||
The term 'monatóireacht' comes from the Latin word 'monitio,' meaning advice or exhortation. | |||
Italian | tenere sotto controllo | ||
The verb "tenere sotto controllo" also means "to keep under control" in Italian. | |||
Luxembourgish | iwwerwaachen | ||
The word "iwwerwaachen" comes from the German word "überwachen", which means "to oversee" or "to supervise". | |||
Maltese | tissorvelja | ||
The word "tissorvelja" is a compound of the Maltese word "tissor" (meaning "watch") and the Italian word "veglia" (meaning "watch"). | |||
Norwegian | observere | ||
The word "observere" is cognate to the English "observe" and "observer". | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | monitor | ||
"Monitora" is the feminine form of "monitor," and can also means a female teacher's assistant in a classroom who supervises the activities of the children in their care. | |||
Scots Gaelic | monitor | ||
In Scots Gaelic, "monitor" also means "to spy" or "to guard". | |||
Spanish | monitor | ||
La palabra "monitor" en español proviene del latín "monitor", que significa "el que avisa" o "el que recuerda". | |||
Swedish | övervaka | ||
Övervaka comes from 'vaka' (watch) and 'över' (over), meaning to watch over or take care of something. | |||
Welsh | monitro | ||
"Monitro" is an antiquated Welsh spelling of "monitor" which is still sometimes used to refer to a television, screen, or computer display. |
Belarusian | манітор | ||
The word "манітор" in Belarusian has origins in the Latin word "monere" meaning to warn, and the English word "monitor" meaning a supervisor. | |||
Bosnian | monitor | ||
Bosnian monitorka "monitor" comes from German "Monitor" which means "ship" and from English "monitor" which means "controlling device". | |||
Bulgarian | монитор | ||
The word "монитор" (monitor) in Bulgarian comes from the Latin word "moneo", meaning "to warn" or "to advise", and is related to the word "monitorium", meaning "a warning". | |||
Czech | monitor | ||
In Czech, "monitor" can also refer to a type of lizard, specifically a species of water monitor.} | |||
Estonian | monitor | ||
The Estonian word “monitor” in addition to meaning the device used for displaying computer data, can also refer to other meanings, including a supervisor or an advisor. | |||
Finnish | monitori | ||
"Monitori" has a separate connotation of "supervisor" or "counselor". | |||
Hungarian | monitor | ||
In Hungarian, “monitor” is the word for a type of lizard known in English as a "black lizard." | |||
Latvian | monitors | ||
"Monitors" also means "scholarships" or "allowances" in Latvian. | |||
Lithuanian | monitorius | ||
"Monitorius" is related to Latin "monitor" meaning "advisor, overseer, mentor" and is used in many languages. | |||
Macedonian | монитор | ||
"Монитор" in Macedonian also refers to a type of lizard, a small breed of dog, or a type of military warship. | |||
Polish | monitor | ||
The Polish word "monitor" originates from the Latin "monere" (to warn), and thus also signifies a guardian or chaperon. | |||
Romanian | monitor | ||
In Romanian, "monitor" derives from Latin and means "to warn" or "to advise", signifying its role in surveillance. | |||
Russian | монитор | ||
The word "монитор" in Russian can also refer to a type of small lizard called a slow worm. | |||
Serbian | монитор | ||
In Serbian, 'монитор' can also refer to a warship's gun turret or a type of lizard found in the region. | |||
Slovak | monitor | ||
The word "monitor" can also refer to a type of lizard or a type of ship | |||
Slovenian | monitor | ||
In Slovenian, "monitor" can also mean "tutor" or "guardian". | |||
Ukrainian | монітор | ||
The word "монітор" is also used in Ukrainian to refer to a small television set. |
Bengali | নিরীক্ষণ | ||
The word "নিরীক্ষণ" derives from the Sanskrit word "नीरीक्षण" (nīrīkṣaṇa), meaning "to observe" or "to inspect." | |||
Gujarati | મોનીટર કરો | ||
The word "monitor" can also refer to a person who observes or checks something. | |||
Hindi | मॉनिटर | ||
The word "मॉनिटर" in Hindi also means "a large lizard, especially one of the genus Varanus". | |||
Kannada | ಮಾನಿಟರ್ | ||
The word 'ಮಾನಿಟರ್' can also refer to a type of lizard found in India | |||
Malayalam | മോണിറ്റർ | ||
The term "monitor" in Malayalam can also refer to a chameleon, adding another layer to its diverse meanings. | |||
Marathi | निरीक्षण | ||
The word ''निरीक्षण'' also means ''scrutiny'' in Marathi. | |||
Nepali | मोनिटर | ||
The word is borrowed from English, and the original Latin word 'monitor' refers to 'one who warns'. | |||
Punjabi | ਨਿਗਰਾਨੀ | ||
The word "ਨਿਗਰਾਨੀ" is derived from the Persian word "نگران" (nigaran) and can also mean "vigilance" or "oversight" in Punjabi. | |||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | මොනිටරය | ||
The word "monitor" in Sinhalese can also mean "a student who observes or guides other students" or "an advisor or guide". | |||
Tamil | மானிட்டர் | ||
In Tamil, "மானிட்டர்" can also refer to the act of watching or keeping an eye on something or someone. | |||
Telugu | మానిటర్ | ||
మానిటర్ (monitor) has the same meaning and origin as the English word, coming from the Latin word "monere," meaning "to warn." | |||
Urdu | مانیٹر کریں | ||
Chinese (Simplified) | 监控 | ||
监控 (jiān kòng), meaning surveillance in Chinese, is a loan translation from French "contrôle" and English "control." | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 監控 | ||
"監控" (monitor) can also mean "surveillance" or "supervision". | |||
Japanese | モニター | ||
The word "モニター" (monitor) in Japanese can also mean "observer" or "supervisor". | |||
Korean | 감시 장치 | ||
The word "감시 장치" (monitor) can also mean "a person who checks or observes something" or "a device used to check or observe something.". | |||
Mongolian | хяналт тавих | ||
The Mongolian word "хяналт тавих" can also mean "to supervise" or "to oversee". | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | မော်နီတာ | ||
Indonesian | monitor | ||
In the context of computers, 'monitor' is an abbreviation of the phrase 'visual display unit'. | |||
Javanese | ngawasi | ||
In Javanese, the word "ngawasi" also refers to a person responsible for overseeing a task or activity. | |||
Khmer | ម៉ូនីទ័រ | ||
The word "ម៉ូនីទ័រ" can also refer to a reptile that is native to the Americas and eats insects. | |||
Lao | ຕິດຕາມກວດກາ | ||
Malay | memantau | ||
In Malay, the word "memantau" can also mean "observe" or "watch over". | |||
Thai | มอนิเตอร์ | ||
มอนิเตอร์ (Monitor) มีความหมายอื่นในภาษาไทย เป็นหน่วยเงินในสมัยธนบุรี-รัตนโกสินทร์เท่ากับ 1/12 ของบาท | |||
Vietnamese | giám sát | ||
The word "giám sát" in Vietnamese can also refer to the act of supervision or overseeing something. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | subaybayan | ||
Azerbaijani | ekran | ||
Ekran is an Azerbaijani word of Persian origin that also means "curtain" or "screen" in Turkish. | |||
Kazakh | монитор | ||
The Kazakh word "монитор" "monitor" derives from the Latin "monere" (to warn), and also has the alternate meaning of "supervisor" | |||
Kyrgyz | монитор | ||
Kyrgyz "монитор" means not only "monitor" but also "a supervisor or tutor of a class". | |||
Tajik | монитор | ||
The word "монитор" may also refer to a lizard or a type of fish in Tajik. | |||
Turkmen | monitor | ||
Uzbek | monitor | ||
The word "monitor" ultimately comes from the Latin word "monere", meaning "to warn" or "to remind". | |||
Uyghur | monitor | ||
Hawaiian | kiaʻi | ||
"Kiaʻi" is etymologically related to "kihi", meaning "to pierce" or "to stab", referencing the role of monitors as protectors or watchmen. | |||
Maori | aroturuki | ||
The Māori word | |||
Samoan | mataitu | ||
Mataitu is derived from the Samoan word mata (eye) and itu (shadow) and has the alternate meaning of 'reflection' or 'image'. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | monitor | ||
'Monitor' can also refer to a person who has been asked to look after or keep an eye on someone or something. |
Aymara | pantalla | ||
Guarani | jehechaha | ||
Esperanto | monitoro | ||
The word "monitoro" also means "giant lizard" in Esperanto, referring to the extinct marine reptile Mosasaurus. | |||
Latin | monitor | ||
The Latin word "monitor" can also mean "advisor" or "warner." |
Greek | οθόνη | ||
Οθόνη comes from the Greek word "όθονιον" meaning "linen" and was originally used to describe a sheet or cloth. | |||
Hmong | saib xyuas | ||
The Hmong word "saib xyuas" also means "to check" or "to examine". | |||
Kurdish | lê gûhdarkirin | ||
The term lê gûhdarkirin also refers to the act of paying attention to something. | |||
Turkish | monitör | ||
In Turkish, 'monitör' also means 'mentor' or 'supervisor', which is derived from the older sense of 'to warn' or 'to admonish'. | |||
Xhosa | esweni | ||
In Xhosa 'esweni' can refer to a type of lizard or to a device for keeping time | |||
Yiddish | מאָניטאָר | ||
The Yiddish word "מאָניטאָר" (Monitor) can also be a slang term referring to a "big shot" or "VIP". | |||
Zulu | qapha | ||
The Zulu word "qapha" can also refer to a "book" | |||
Assamese | কাৰোবাৰ ওপৰত চকু ৰখা | ||
Aymara | pantalla | ||
Bhojpuri | निगरानी कईल | ||
Dhivehi | މޮނީޓަރު | ||
Dogri | मानीटर | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | subaybayan | ||
Guarani | jehechaha | ||
Ilocano | monitoren | ||
Krio | wach | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | چاودێری کردن | ||
Maithili | देख रेख करनाइ | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯌꯦꯡꯁꯤꯟꯕ | ||
Mizo | thlir | ||
Oromo | to'achuu | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ମନିଟର | ||
Quechua | qawana | ||
Sanskrit | नियंत्रण | ||
Tatar | монитор | ||
Tigrinya | ምቁጽጻር | ||
Tsonga | valanga | ||