Nation in Different Languages
Discover 'Nation' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'nation' holds great significance in our world today. It represents a large group of people who share a common identity, language, history, or culture. The concept of a nation is central to understanding our global political landscape, as it forms the basis for the organization of countries and governments.
Beyond its political significance, the word 'nation' also carries immense cultural importance. It encompasses the shared traditions, values, and beliefs that define a community and give it a sense of unity and purpose. From the passionate football fans of 'La Selección' in Spain to the proud Maori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand), the concept of nation is deeply intertwined with our cultural identities.
Moreover, understanding the translation of 'nation' in different languages can provide valuable insights into how different cultures perceive and organize themselves. For example, in Germany, the word 'Nation' is often used interchangeably with 'Staat' (state), reflecting a strong emphasis on the political aspects of national identity. Meanwhile, in Japan, the word 'Kuni' emphasizes the country's unique cultural heritage and history.
So, whether you're a language enthusiast, a cultural explorer, or simply someone who wants to deepen their understanding of the world, exploring the translations of 'nation' in different languages is a fascinating journey that is sure to broaden your horizons.
Nation
Nation in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | nasie | ||
| The Afrikaans word "nasie" can also refer to a group of people sharing a common origin, language, or culture, similar to the English word "people". | |||
| Amharic | ሀገር | ||
| The word "ሀገር" ("nation") in Amharic literally translates to "a place where one settled" or "a home", and may also refer to a person's homeland. | |||
| Hausa | al'umma | ||
| The Hausa word "al'umma" can also refer to a community, group, or society. | |||
| Igbo | mba | ||
| Mba can also refer to the collective citizens or people in a place | |||
| Malagasy | firenena | ||
| The word "firenena" in Malagasy is cognate with the Malay "bangsa" and ultimately derives from the Sanskrit word "vamsa", meaning "family". | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | mtundu | ||
| "Mtundu" can also refer to a type of antelope or a type of tree, depending on the context. | |||
| Shona | rudzi | ||
| "Rudzi" can also mean "a group of people who share a common language, culture, and history" | |||
| Somali | qaran | ||
| Somali "qaran" derives from "qarannid", meaning "to separate" or "to divide". | |||
| Sesotho | sechaba | ||
| In Sesotho, "sechaba" also refers to a group of individuals united by shared culture and ancestry. | |||
| Swahili | taifa | ||
| While "taifa" is most commonly understood in Swahili to mean "nation," it can also mean tribe, ethnic group, or people. | |||
| Xhosa | uhlanga | ||
| The Xhosa word for 'nation', 'uhlanga', also means 'reed', 'clan', and 'tribe'. | |||
| Yoruba | orílẹ-èdè | ||
| The Yoruba word "orílẹ-èdè" literally means "the edge of speech" and refers to a group of people who speak the same language and share a common culture. | |||
| Zulu | isizwe | ||
| The word 'isizwe' can also mean 'people' or 'clan' in Zulu. | |||
| Bambara | jamana | ||
| Ewe | dukɔ | ||
| Kinyarwanda | igihugu | ||
| Lingala | ekolo | ||
| Luganda | eggwanga | ||
| Sepedi | setšhaba | ||
| Twi (Akan) | ɔman | ||
Nation in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | الأمة | ||
| "أمة" in Arabic can also refer to a religious community, such as the "Ummah" of Islam. | |||
| Hebrew | אוּמָה | ||
| The root of the word אומה (nation) in Hebrew is אֵם (mother), emphasizing the connection between nationhood and maternal bonds. | |||
| Pashto | ملت | ||
| "ملت" (nation) in Pashto derives from Arabic and also means "religion," "community," and "faith community" | |||
| Arabic | الأمة | ||
| "أمة" in Arabic can also refer to a religious community, such as the "Ummah" of Islam. | |||
Nation in Western European Languages
| Albanian | kombi | ||
| In Albanian, "kombi" also refers to the community of an extended family or tribe | |||
| Basque | nazioa | ||
| Basque 'nazioa' derives from 'nazitu', meaning 'to be born', also related to 'nature' and 'origin'. | |||
| Catalan | nació | ||
| The Catalan word "nació" ultimately derives from the Latin "natio", meaning "birth" or "origin". | |||
| Croatian | narod | ||
| The word 'narod' in Croatian can also refer to a people or ethnic group, often used in a historical or cultural context. | |||
| Danish | nation | ||
| In Danish "nation" can also refer to a musical piece used by the National Association of Military Musicians and Buglers. | |||
| Dutch | natie | ||
| In Dutch, the word "natie" can also refer to a warehouse or customs area for the storage of goods. | |||
| English | nation | ||
| "Nation" derives from a Latin word meaning "to be born" or "to be native". | |||
| French | nation | ||
| The word "nation" in French comes from the Latin word "natio" which means "birth" or "origin". | |||
| Frisian | naasje | ||
| The word "naasje" in Frisian is cognate with the English word "nation" and also means "family" or "people". | |||
| Galician | nación | ||
| In Galician, "nación" can also mean "people", "country", "homeland", or "land where one is born or lives". | |||
| German | nation | ||
| The word "Nation" in German can also refer to a smaller ethnic or cultural group within a larger nation. | |||
| Icelandic | þjóð | ||
| In Old Norse, the word "þjóð" also meant "clan" or "tribe". | |||
| Irish | náisiún | ||
| The Irish term 'náisiún' also holds connotations of kinship or 'extended family', reflecting its origins in the Latin 'natio' meaning 'birth' or 'lineage'. | |||
| Italian | nazione | ||
| "Nazione" ultimately derives from the Latin "natio," meaning "birth" or "origin." | |||
| Luxembourgish | natioun | ||
| In Luxembourgish, the word "Natioun" can also refer to a group of people sharing a common language, culture, or history. | |||
| Maltese | nazzjon | ||
| The word "nazzjon" ultimately derives from the Latin "natio", meaning "birth" or "origin." | |||
| Norwegian | nasjon | ||
| Nation (in Norwegian 'nasjon') is cognate with 'nation' in English and originated in Old French, meaning 'birth' or 'race', and ultimately deriving from Latin 'natio'. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | nação | ||
| The word "nação" in Portuguese can also mean "birth", "origin", or "race". | |||
| Scots Gaelic | nàisean | ||
| The word "nàisean" in Scots Gaelic derives from Old Irish "nátiún" which itself comes from Latin "natio," meaning "birth" or "descent." | |||
| Spanish | nación | ||
| In Spanish, "nación" also refers to the place where a person was born and can mean "birthplace"} | |||
| Swedish | nation | ||
| The Swedish word "nation" can also refer to a person, a group of people, or a thing. | |||
| Welsh | cenedl | ||
| Cenedl can also refer to "kind", "race", "breed", "family" or "people" in Welsh. | |||
Nation in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | нацыі | ||
| Bosnian | nacija | ||
| The word "nacija" in Bosnian has the same root as the Latin word "natio", meaning "birth" or "origin". | |||
| Bulgarian | нация | ||
| The word "нация" originated from the Latin word "natio" (birth or race) | |||
| Czech | národ | ||
| "Národ" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *nàrodъ, meaning "people" or "tribe", and is related to the Old Church Slavonic *narodъ, meaning "nation". | |||
| Estonian | rahvas | ||
| Rahvas can refer to a "folk," "people," or "commoners" in addition to "nation." | |||
| Finnish | kansakunta | ||
| The word "kansakunta" in Finnish can also refer to a ethnic group. | |||
| Hungarian | nemzet | ||
| The word "nemzet" in Hungarian is derived from the Proto-Turkic word "nem" meaning "kin" or "race". | |||
| Latvian | tauta | ||
| The word "tauta" can also refer to a people or a tribe, and is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *tewtéh₂- "people, tribe". | |||
| Lithuanian | tauta | ||
| The word "tauta" has Indo-European roots, related to Latin "totus" (whole) and Sanskrit "tan" (to stretch). | |||
| Macedonian | нација | ||
| In Macedonian, while „нација“ primarily means „nation,“ it can also denote a group of people with shared characteristics, history, and culture, not necessarily forming a sovereign state. | |||
| Polish | naród | ||
| The word "naród" is related to the Proto-Slavic word "*narodъ" and has alternate meanings of "people" and "tribe" in Polish. | |||
| Romanian | naţiune | ||
| The Romanian word "naţiune" has a Latin origin (natio), also meaning "birth", "lineage", or "descent" in the same language. | |||
| Russian | нация | ||
| The word "нация" can also refer to specific ethnic groups within the Russian Federation, such as the Tatar nation or the Bashkir nation. | |||
| Serbian | нација | ||
| The word нација derives from the Latin word "natio" meaning "birthplace". | |||
| Slovak | národ | ||
| The word "národ" is cognate with the Polish word "naród" which means "people", coming from the Proto-Slavic word *narodъ meaning "birth". | |||
| Slovenian | narod | ||
| In Slovenian, the word "narod" (nation) also has the connotation of "people" or "folk", emphasizing the human element of a nation. | |||
| Ukrainian | нації | ||
| The Ukrainian word "нації" can also refer to ethnic groups or nationalities. | |||
Nation in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | জাতি | ||
| The term "জাতি" (jati) has different meanings in different contexts and can refer to caste, ethnicity, nation or a biological race. | |||
| Gujarati | રાષ્ટ્ર | ||
| The Gujarati word "રાષ્ટ્ર" derives from Sanskrit and also means "king", "country" and "army" in different contexts. | |||
| Hindi | राष्ट्र | ||
| The word "राष्ट्र" (rāshtra) in Hindi can also mean "rule", "government", "sovereignty", or "kingdom". | |||
| Kannada | ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರ | ||
| In Kannada, the word "ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರ" can also mean "country" or "realm". | |||
| Malayalam | രാഷ്ട്രം | ||
| The word "രാഷ്ട്രം" is derived from the Proto-Dravidian word *rāṣṭram, meaning "ruler" or "royalty". | |||
| Marathi | राष्ट्र | ||
| The word 'राष्ट्र' (nation) in Marathi also refers to a state or country of residence. | |||
| Nepali | राष्ट्र | ||
| The word 'राष्ट्र' (nation) in Nepali derives from the root 'रं' (delight) and signifies not only the people belonging to a particular state but also the embodiment of their shared joy and belonging. | |||
| Punjabi | ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰ | ||
| The Punjabi word "ਰਾਸ਼ਟਰ" derives from Sanskrit and Persian roots, meaning "people, land, or kingdom". | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | ජාතිය | ||
| Tamil | தேசம் | ||
| The term "தேசம்" (nation) in Tamil can also refer to a country, region, or locality. | |||
| Telugu | దేశం | ||
| The word "దేశం" can also mean "countryside" or "village" in Telugu. | |||
| Urdu | قوم | ||
| In the Indian subcontinent, "قوم" can also refer to a "community" of people who share common interests or traits. | |||
Nation in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 国家 | ||
| The word "国家" (nation) in Chinese is a compound of "国" (country) and "家" (family), indicating the idea of a nation as a polity based on familial ties. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 國家 | ||
| In Classical Chinese, 國 (guó) meant "walled city" and 家 (jiā) meant "private dwelling." | |||
| Japanese | 国家 | ||
| The word 「国家」 (nation) in Japanese also means "state" or "country". | |||
| Korean | 민족 | ||
| The word "민족" (nation) in Korean originally referred to the group of people who shared the same ancestors and culture, but now it is used to refer to the people of a country. | |||
| Mongolian | үндэстэн | ||
| Үндэстэн (ündesten) means “people” and, originally, “kin” or “clan” in Mongolian. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | လူမျိုးသည် | ||
Nation in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | bangsa | ||
| "Bangsa" can also mean "to rise up" or "to sprout up" in Indonesian, suggesting a sense of emergence or growth associated with the concept of a nation. | |||
| Javanese | bangsa | ||
| In Javanese, "bangsa" originates from "banjar" which means "group of people living in same place", it also means "origin" or "clan". | |||
| Khmer | ជាតិ | ||
| The word "ជាតិ" also means "birth" or "race" in Khmer. | |||
| Lao | ປະເທດຊາດ | ||
| The Lao word for "nation" can also refer to traditional ethnic groups within the country. | |||
| Malay | bangsa | ||
| In Old Malay, "bangsa" meant "lineage" or "clan", and it is cognate with the Javanese "bangsa" and Tagalog "bansa". | |||
| Thai | ประเทศชาติ | ||
| The Thai word "ประเทศชาติ" (nation) literally means "father, mother, and children", reflecting the traditional Thai belief that a nation is an extended family. | |||
| Vietnamese | quốc gia | ||
| In Vietnamese, "quốc gia" can also refer to "state" or "country" and is derived from the Chinese characters "國" (country) and "家" (home). | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | bansa | ||
Nation in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | millət | ||
| The word "Millət" in Azerbaijani is derived from the Arabic word "millah", meaning "community", and also has the alternate meanings of "religion" and "tribe". | |||
| Kazakh | ұлт | ||
| The Kazakh word "ұлт" (nation) is related to the Mongolian "ulus," meaning "people" or "crowd," and the Turkish "el," meaning "country" or "homeland." | |||
| Kyrgyz | улут | ||
| The word "улут" also means "people" or "tribe" in Kyrgyz. | |||
| Tajik | миллат | ||
| In Arabic, the word "миллат" (millat) means "way". In Tajik it specifically denotes people who speak the same language and share the same culture. | |||
| Turkmen | millet | ||
| Uzbek | millat | ||
| In Uzbek, the word "millat" is derived from the Arabic word "millah" which originally meant "religion" or "community". | |||
| Uyghur | مىللەت | ||
Nation in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | lāhui | ||
| In the Hawaiian language, 'lāhui' also signifies a 'troop', 'band', 'flock', or 'group of related individuals'. | |||
| Maori | iwi | ||
| The Maori word "iwi" also has additional meanings such as "tribe" or "people". | |||
| Samoan | malo | ||
| Samoans also use the word 'malo' to refer to the 'face' or 'reputation' of a person or group. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | bansa | ||
| "Bansa" originally meant "class" in Sanskrit, but was generalized in Tagalog to mean what we now understand by the term "nation". | |||
Nation in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | marka | ||
| Guarani | tetã | ||
Nation in International Languages
| Esperanto | nacio | ||
| The Esperanto word “nacio” (nation) is related to “naskiĝi” (to be born), as one is typically born in one nation. | |||
| Latin | gentem | ||
| The Latin word "gentem" can also refer to a clan, tribe, or the inhabitants of a particular region. | |||
Nation in Others Languages
| Greek | έθνος | ||
| The word 'έθνος' ('ethnos') was originally used to refer to a group of people with a shared ethnicity or descent, but it later came to be used to refer to a political entity. | |||
| Hmong | lub teb chaws | ||
| The word “lub teb chaws” literally means the “land of one’s ancestors”. | |||
| Kurdish | netewe | ||
| The word "netewe" can also refer to a "tribe" or a "community" in Kurdish. | |||
| Turkish | millet | ||
| The word "millet" in Turkish also refers to a non-Muslim community within the Ottoman Empire, and to a broader sense of community or peoplehood. | |||
| Xhosa | uhlanga | ||
| The Xhosa word for 'nation', 'uhlanga', also means 'reed', 'clan', and 'tribe'. | |||
| Yiddish | פאָלק | ||
| The word “פאָלק” (“folk”) can also refer to a particular ethnicity or people, similar to its usage in German and English. | |||
| Zulu | isizwe | ||
| The word 'isizwe' can also mean 'people' or 'clan' in Zulu. | |||
| Assamese | জাতি | ||
| Aymara | marka | ||
| Bhojpuri | राष्ट्र के बा | ||
| Dhivehi | ޤައުމެވެ | ||
| Dogri | राष्ट्र | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | bansa | ||
| Guarani | tetã | ||
| Ilocano | nasion | ||
| Krio | neshɔn | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | نەتەوە | ||
| Maithili | राष्ट्र | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯖꯥꯇꯤ ꯑꯁꯤꯒꯤ ꯃꯇꯥꯡꯗꯥ ꯋꯥꯐꯝ ꯀꯌꯥ ꯊꯃꯈꯤ꯫ | ||
| Mizo | hnam | ||
| Oromo | saba | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ଜାତି | ||
| Quechua | nación | ||
| Sanskrit | राष्ट्रम् | ||
| Tatar | милләт | ||
| Tigrinya | ብሄር | ||
| Tsonga | rixaka | ||