Mystery in different languages

Mystery in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word mystery holds a special allure for many of us, invoking a sense of curiosity and fascination. It signifies something that is not easily understood or explained, a riddle or puzzle that begs to be unraveled. This concept has played a significant role in various cultures and societies, from ancient myths and legends to modern-day detective stories and scientific inquiries. For instance, the ancient Greeks believed in the mystery cults, where followers sought to gain spiritual insight through secret rituals and teachings. Similarly, the concept of mystery is central to many religious traditions, such as the Christian concept of the Mystery of Faith.

Given its cultural importance and universal appeal, it's no wonder that people might be interested in knowing the translation of the word mystery in different languages. After all, language is a powerful tool for understanding and connecting with other cultures. Here are some translations of the word mystery in various languages:

Mystery


Mystery in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansmisterie
The Afrikaans word "misterie" is of Greek origins, derived from the word 'μυστήριον' and refers to an enigmatic secret or inexplicable occurrence.
Amharicምስጢር
The word ምስጢር (mistīr) also means "a secret" or "a confidential matter".
Hausaasiri
"Asir" is also referred to as something that is hidden or unclear.
Igboihe omimi
The Igbo word 'ihe omimi' ('mystery') can also refer to something that is hidden or unknown.
Malagasyzava-miafina
"Zava-miafina" shares the suffix "-miafina" with other Malagasy words meaning hidden or unknown, suggesting an etymological connection.
Nyanja (Chichewa)chinsinsi
Nyanja's "chinsinsi" derives from "chisi" ("thing") and the causative suffix "-insi" ("to cause"), thus meaning "to cause something to become hidden".}
Shonachakavanzika
According to the Shona dictionary, 'Chakavanzika' is also a type of snake believed to bring good luck.
Somaliqarsoodi
Qarsoodi in Somali has a connotation of the unknowable or hidden and is associated with spiritual or supernatural phenomena.
Sesothosephiri
The word "sephiri" can also mean "secret", "puzzle", or "riddle".
Swahilisiri
The Swahili word "siri" can also mean a "secret" or a "concealed thing".
Xhosaimfihlakalo
The Xhosa word "imfihlakalo" shares its root with the verb "fihla," meaning "to hide" or "to conceal," suggesting a connection between mystery and hidden knowledge.
Yorubaohun ijinlẹ
In the Yoruba language, the word "ohun ijinlẹ" also refers to something hidden or secret.
Zuluimfihlakalo
Origin: Thought to derive from the verb 'fihla' (hide)
Bambaragundo
Ewenuɣaɣla
Kinyarwandaamayobera
Lingalasekele
Lugandaekyaama
Sepedisemaka
Twi (Akan)ahintasɛm

Mystery in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicلغز
The Arabic word "لغز" is also used to describe a riddle, puzzle, or enigma, highlighting its connection to the act of deciphering and unraveling unknown or obscure things.
Hebrewמִסתוֹרִין
The Hebrew word "מִסתוֹרִין" also means "secret" or "hidden knowledge".
Pashtoاسرار
"اسرار" (mystery) is also a surname among Pashtuns.
Arabicلغز
The Arabic word "لغز" is also used to describe a riddle, puzzle, or enigma, highlighting its connection to the act of deciphering and unraveling unknown or obscure things.

Mystery in Western European Languages

Albanianmister
The Albanian word “mister” may have originated from the Proto-Indo-European root *me-, meaning to measure or think.
Basquemisterioa
The Basque word "misterioa" (mystery) originates from the Latin "ministerium" (service, ministry), suggesting a connection between the unknown and the divine.
Catalanmisteri
Catalan "misteri" derives from Latin "ministerium" ("service") via Old Catalan "mesteri" ("craft") and Castilian "misterio" ("mystery").
Croatianmisterija
The word 'misterija' is derived from the Latin word 'mysterium', which originally referred to secret religious ceremonies or knowledge.
Danishmysterium
In Danish, the word "mysterium" carries a dual meaning of both "mystery" and "initiation into religious rites", a usage with roots in ancient Greek and Latin
Dutchmysterie
In Dutch, "mysterie" can refer to a religious secret, a riddle, a secret, or a mystical experience.
Englishmystery
The word 'mystery' ultimately derives from the Greek word 'mystes', meaning 'one who is initiated into a religious cult'.
Frenchmystère
The word "mystère" in French comes from the Greek word "mysterion", which means "secret rite or ceremony".
Frisianmystearje
Mystearje can also refer to a puzzle or riddle, hinting at its puzzling nature.
Galicianmisterio
From Latin mysterium, which meant both pagan rite and Christian sacrament, so it also has a religious connotation.
Germangeheimnis
The German word 'Geheimnis' (mystery) is related to words like 'heim' (home) and 'heimelig' (cozy), suggesting the familiarity of something kept secret and close.
Icelandicráðgáta
Its cognate in Faroese has the additional meaning of 'problem' as in a calculation problem.
Irishrúndiamhair
The word 'rúndiamhair' is also used to refer to something that is hidden or secret.
Italianmistero
It comes from the Greek 'mysterion' through the Latin 'mysterium' and may be related to the Latin word 'ministerium', 'service'.
Luxembourgishgeheimnis
In addition to its meaning as a "secret" "Geheimnis" can also mean "secret sauce" or a "secret remedy".
Maltesemisteru
"Misteru" in Maltese can also mean "secret" or "ritual".
Norwegianmysterium
In Norwegian, "mysterium" retains its original Latin meaning of "religious secret" or "sacrament".
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)mistério
The Portuguese word "mistério" ultimately derives from the ancient Greek word "mysterion", which referred to the secret religious rites and teachings of the Eleusinian Mysteries.
Scots Gaelicdìomhaireachd
Spanishmisterio
The Spanish word "misterio" ultimately derives from the Greek "mysterion," meaning both "mystery" and "religious or sacred rite or doctrine."
Swedishmysterium
The Swedish word "mysterium" derives from the Greek word "mysterion" and carries connotations of divine secrets, religious rituals, and hidden knowledge.
Welshdirgelwch
The word 'dirgelwch' can also be used to describe a secret or something that is hidden or concealed.

Mystery in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianзагадкавасць
This word can also mean "riddle" and comes from the word "гадка", meaning "guess".
Bosnianmisterija
Although 'misterija' is often used to describe a religious event, it can also refer to theatrical performances.
Bulgarianмистерия
The word "мистерия" can also refer to "mystery theater" or a "mystery novel".
Czechtajemství
The word "tajemství" in Czech is ultimately derived from the Proto-Slavic word "tajiti".
Estonianmüsteerium
The word "müsteerium" comes from the Latin word "mysterium", which means "secret rite" or "religious truth hidden from the uninitiated."
Finnishmysteeri
In Finnish, "mysteeri" derives from the Greek "mysterion" and also refers to religious or spiritual teachings kept secret from the uninitiated.
Hungarianrejtély
In Hungarian, "rejtély" shares its root with the verb "rejt", meaning "to hide" or "to conceal," suggesting the hidden or unknown nature of mysteries.
Latviannoslēpums
"Noslēpums" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*ne-wes-", meaning "to hide, conceal".
Lithuanianpaslaptis
Paslaptis derives from the Lithuanian word “slėpti”, which means “to hide”.
Macedonianмистерија
The word 'мистерија' can also refer to a religious sacrament or a secret society's rituals and beliefs.
Polishzagadka
Zagadka, meaning "mystery" in Polish, derives from the Old Polish word "zagaditi" meaning "to pollute" or "to soil".
Romanianmister
In Romanian, the word "mister" also translates to "master" in English.
Russianтайна
"Тайна" is cognate with the English words "thane" and "thin" and is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *ten-, meaning "to stretch".
Serbianмистерија
У словенским језицима реч "мистерија" има и значење "занат".
Slovakzáhada
The word "záhada" is derived from the Proto-Slavic verb "*zъdati", meaning "to ask", and originally referred to a difficult question or problem.
Slovenianskrivnost
The word "skrivnost" is derived from the Proto-Slavic root "skryti" meaning "to hide" and has related words like "scribble" and "script".
Ukrainianзагадковість
The Ukrainian word "загадковість" also means "riddle" or "puzzle".

Mystery in South Asian Languages

Bengaliরহস্য
The term 'Rahasya' in Bengali originates from the Sanskrit and shares its root with the Greek term 'myein', meaning 'to close'.
Gujaratiરહસ્ય
"રહસ્ય" can also mean something secret or confidential.
Hindiरहस्य
The Hindi word रहस्य, meaning "mystery," derives from the Sanskrit word रहस, meaning "secret" or "hidden."
Kannadaರಹಸ್ಯ
The word "ರಹಸ್ಯ" is also used to describe a secret that is not to be shared with others.
Malayalamമർമ്മം
"മർമ്മം" (marmam) also means "secret, hidden thing, secret part of the body, vulnerable spot on the body, vital spot on the body"
Marathiगूढ
In Sanskrit, 'gūḍh' means 'secret' or 'hidden', which suggests a connection to the Marathi 'gūḍh'.
Nepaliरहस्य
The Nepali word "रहस्य" (mystery) derives from the Sanskrit word "रहस्" (secret), ultimately originating from the root " रह् " (to hide).
Punjabiਭੇਤ
ਭੇਤ (mystery) originates from Sanskrit 'bheda' which means difference or secret.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)අභිරහස
The term "අභිරහස" (mystery) derives from the Sanskrit "abhirahasya," meaning "deep secret" or "hidden thing."
Tamilமர்மம்
Teluguరహస్యం
"రహస్యం" (mystery) derives from Sanskrit and means 'secret', 'hidden' or 'confidential' and carries the same connotations in Telugu.
Urduاسرار
The word "اسرار" in Urdu also means "secrets" or "hidden things".

Mystery in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)神秘
The Chinese character '神秘' can also mean 'strange' or 'abstruse'.
Chinese (Traditional)神秘
神秘 (mystery) literally translates to "secret sign" (秘 "secret", 示 "sign").
Japanese神秘
In Japanese, "神秘" (shinpi) can also refer to something profound, transcendental, or inscrutable.
Korean신비
In Korean, the word "신비" (mystery) is derived from the Chinese character "神", which means "god or spirit," and "秘", which means "secret or hidden."
Mongolianнууц
The Mongolian word "нууц" has a range of meanings, including "mystery", "secret", "privacy", and "invisibility."
Myanmar (Burmese)နက်နဲသောအရာဖြစ်ပေ

Mystery in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianmisteri
"Misteri" is also used in Indonesian to refer to a secret or hidden knowledge.
Javanesemisteri
The Javanese word "misteri" also refers to supernatural beings or hidden knowledge.
Khmerអាថ៌កំបាំង
In Khmer, the word ហកាធឝ (aathorkompaang) shares its roots with the word ហកាថ (aathor), meaning "mythology", highlighting the connection between mystery and ancient tales.
Laoຄວາມລຶກລັບ
Malaymisteri
In Malay, "misteri" (mystery) comes from the Arabic word "misra" (Egypt), referring to the occult knowledge and practices of ancient Egyptians.
Thaiความลึกลับ
In Thai, the word "ความลึกลับ" can also refer to the unknown or the unexplained.
Vietnamesehuyền bí
The word "huyền bí" can also mean "magical" or "supernatural" in Vietnamese.
Filipino (Tagalog)misteryo

Mystery in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanisirr
The word "sirr" in Azerbaijani is derived from the Persian "serr", meaning "secret" or "confidential."
Kazakhқұпия
"Құпия" also means "secret" or "classified information" in Kazakh.
Kyrgyzтабышмак
Tajikсир
The Tajik word "сир" (mystery) likely derives from the Arabic "سر" (secret) or Persian "سرّ" (mystery).
Turkmensyr
Uzbeksir
In Uzbek, the word "sir" (сир) also means "cheese".
Uyghurسىر

Mystery in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianpohihihi
The word "pohihihi" in Hawaiian can also refer to a "puzzle" or "riddle."
Maorimea ngaro
The word "mea ngaro" can also mean "hidden thing" or "secret".
Samoanmea lilo
The word "mea lilo" is also used to refer to secrets, hidden things, or something difficult to understand.
Tagalog (Filipino)misteryo
The Tagalog word "misteryo" shares the same root as the Spanish word "misterio" and the English word "mystery", all of which are derived from the Greek word "mysterion", meaning "a secret rite or religious truth".

Mystery in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaramuspkaya
Guaranikañymby

Mystery in International Languages

Esperantomistero
In Esperanto, "mistero" is also used to refer to the unknown or the inexplicable.
Latinsacramentum
The Latin word "sacramentum" originally meant "oath" or "pledge" and later came to refer to a religious rite or ceremony.

Mystery in Others Languages

Greekμυστήριο
The Ancient Greek word μυστήριο could also refer to secret religious rites and ceremonies.
Hmongtsis meej
The Hmong word "tsis meej" (mystery) literally translates to "hidden eye".
Kurdishsir
The Kurdish word 'sir' can also refer to a type of Kurdish folk dance.
Turkishgizem
The word "gizem" derives from the Persian word "genj" meaning "treasure" and also denotes "secret" and "mystery".
Xhosaimfihlakalo
The Xhosa word "imfihlakalo" shares its root with the verb "fihla," meaning "to hide" or "to conceal," suggesting a connection between mystery and hidden knowledge.
Yiddishמיסטעריע
The word "מיסטעריע" comes from the Greek "mysterion," meaning a secret religious rite.
Zuluimfihlakalo
Origin: Thought to derive from the verb 'fihla' (hide)
Assameseৰহস্য
Aymaramuspkaya
Bhojpuriरहस्य
Dhivehiގޮތްނޭނގޭ
Dogriपिरब
Filipino (Tagalog)misteryo
Guaranikañymby
Ilocanomisterio
Kriosikrit
Kurdish (Sorani)نادیار
Maithiliरहस्मय
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯑꯉꯛꯄ ꯊꯧꯗꯣꯛ
Mizothilmak
Oromodhoksaa
Odia (Oriya)ରହସ୍ୟ
Quechuamana riqsisqa
Sanskritरहस्य:
Tatarсер
Tigrinyaምሽጥር
Tsongamahlori

Click on a letter to browse words starting with that letter