Noise in different languages

Noise in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

Noise, it's a word that we use every day, but have you ever stopped to think about its significance and cultural importance? Noise is more than just sound; it's a universal human experience that transcends language and culture. From the hustle and bustle of a busy city street to the soothing sounds of nature, noise is an integral part of our daily lives.

Throughout history, noise has played a significant role in shaping our societies and cultures. For example, in many ancient civilizations, noise was used as a form of communication, warning of danger or signaling the start of a celebration. Today, noise continues to be a source of fascination and inspiration for artists, musicians, and writers around the world.

If you're interested in language and culture, you might be wondering how the word 'noise' translates into different languages. After all, understanding the nuances of a word in different languages can give us valuable insights into the cultures and societies that use them.

Here are just a few examples of how 'noise' translates into different languages:

Noise


Noise in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansgeraas
Geraas likely shares its roots with the Dutch word "geraas", which means "noise" or "din".
Amharicጫጫታ
The word 'ጫጫታ' ('noise' in Amharic) is also used to refer to 'chattering' or 'nonsense'.
Hausaamo
Hausa 'amo' also means 'disturbance caused by children'.
Igbomkpọtụ
"Mkpọtụ" originally referred to "noise" caused by an army on the march or battle but it later began to be used for describing any form of noise in general.
Malagasyfeo
In Malagasy, feo is onomatopoeia, imitative of shouting.
Nyanja (Chichewa)phokoso
"Phokoso" can also mean "sound" or "voice".
Shonaruzha
"ruzha" also means the buzzing sound that is associated with bees.
Somalibuuq
"Buuq" can also refer to a large crowd of people or a noisy gathering.
Sesotholerata
The word “lerata” is derived from the verb “lera” meaning “to speak continuously”.
Swahilikelele
The word 'kelele' may also refer to a commotion or disturbance, suggesting that noise is considered a form of chaos or disruption in Swahili culture.
Xhosaingxolo
The word "ingxolo" is also used to describe the sound of a crowd or the noise of a waterfall.
Yorubaariwo
Ariwo is also used to describe a gathering of people, usually for a festive or social occasion.
Zuluumsindo
The Zulu word "umsindo" also means "anger" or "irritation", and "noise" is sometimes referred to as "umsindo" from this connotation.
Bambaramankan
Eweɣli
Kinyarwandaurusaku
Lingalamakelele
Lugandakereere
Sepedilešata
Twi (Akan)dede

Noise in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicالضوضاء
"الضوضاء" is derived from the verb "ضجّ", meaning "to make a loud or confused sound", and can also refer to "turmoil" or "commotion" beyond audible sounds.
Hebrewרַעַשׁ
"רַעַשׁ" in Hebrew can also refer to a "tremor", "earthquake" or "uproar".
Pashtoشور
The word "شور" also has a secondary meaning: "fame, notoriety, reputation, or popularity."
Arabicالضوضاء
"الضوضاء" is derived from the verb "ضجّ", meaning "to make a loud or confused sound", and can also refer to "turmoil" or "commotion" beyond audible sounds.

Noise in Western European Languages

Albanianzhurma
The Albanian word "zhurma" also means "rumor" or "uproar".
Basquezarata
The etymology of "zarata" is uncertain, but it may be related to the Proto-Basque word "*sara-," meaning "sound" or "noise". It could also be related to the Proto-Indo-European word "*sor-," meaning "to make a noise".
Catalansoroll
The word "soroll" is etymologically related to the Latin word "surdus," meaning "deaf," and has other meanings such as "disorder" or "confusion"
Croatianbuka
The word "buka" in Croatian can also refer to a loud or noisy person.
Danishstøj
The word "støj" in Danish stems from the Old Norse word "støyta", meaning "to push" or "to strike".
Dutchlawaai
''Lawaaioverlast'' literally means 'noise nuisance' in Dutch, but it can also refer to the noise a child makes when misbehaving.
Englishnoise
The word 'noise' has also been used in English since the 14th century to mean a group of musicians, particularly one that plays popular or folk music.
Frenchbruit
The French word "bruit" originates from the Latin word "brugitus," meaning "murmur", and also holds the alternate meaning of "rumor".
Frisianlûd
The Frisian word "lûd" can also refer to a prank or mischief.
Galicianruído
In Galician, "ruído" can refer to both "noise" and "a type of bagpipe".
Germanlärm
The word "Lärm" can also refer to a tumult or uproar, or a large number of people or animals.
Icelandichávaði
In the Middle Ages, 'hávaði' also referred to a criminal offense or a crime scene.
Irishtorann
The word 'torann' in Irish derives from the Proto-Celtic root *torno-, meaning 'thunder' or 'noise'.
Italianrumore
The Italian word "rumore" is derived from the Latin word "rumor", meaning "rumor" or "gossip".
Luxembourgishkaméidi
The word 'Kaméidi' is derived from the Old High German word 'kameid', which means 'a loud outcry or clamor'.
Malteseħoss
The word "ħoss" can also refer to a "tumult" or "commotion" in Maltese.
Norwegianbråk
The word "bråk" can also refer to a "fight" or "commotion" in Norwegian.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)ruído
"Ruído" can mean "noise" or "confusion," and is derived from the Latin "rugītus," meaning "loud noise" or "roar."
Scots Gaelicfuaim
Cognate with Irish fuaim, Welsh fwn, and Cornish fown (sound)
Spanishruido
The Spanish word "ruido" originates from the Latin "rugire", meaning "to roar".
Swedishljud
In addition to meaning noise, ljud is also a term for sound in Swedish, and comes from the Old Norse word "hljóð" (sound), which in turn goes back to a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to sound". The related English word "loud" also shares this etymology.
Welshsŵn
The word sŵn derives from Proto-Indo-European *swónos ('ringing, buzzing, noise').

Noise in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianшум
The word "шум" also refers to the sound of water or the buzzing of bees.
Bosnianbuka
The word "buka" also has the alternate meaning of "trouble" or "problems" in Bosnian.
Bulgarianшум
The word "шум" (noise) is cognate with the word "ухо" (ear), suggesting that noise is something that affects the ear.
Czechhluk
"Hluk" also refers to a municipality and castle in the Czech Republic.
Estonianmüra
The word "müra" also refers to a "quibble" or "cavil."
Finnishmelua
The Finnish word "melua" shares its etymology with the Estonian word "müra" and the Hungarian word "moraj," all meaning "noise."
Hungarianzaj
Zaj, a Hungarian word for noise, has also been used to refer to shouting, murmuring, and even a particular type of bird.
Latviantroksnis
The Latvian word "troksnis" can also refer to a loud, disorderly gathering or a disturbance.
Lithuaniantriukšmas
The word "triukšmas" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*treuq-**, meaning "to make a noise" or "to roar".
Macedonianбучава
The term "бучава" (noise) derives from the verb "бучати" (to roar), ultimately originating from the Proto-Slavic root *bъxati (to make a noise).
Polishhałas
The Polish word "hałas" likely derived from the Proto-Slavic word "*golъsa" that also yielded Russian word "голос (golos)" meaning "voice".
Romanianzgomot
"Zgomot" derives from the Greek "psóphos", meaning "sound", and has additional meanings of "commotion" or "discord" in Romanian.
Russianшум
The word "шум" can also refer to the "bustle" or "lively activity" of a place or event.
Serbianбука
The word "бука" can also refer to a supernatural being associated with the night and darkness in Serbian folklore.
Slovakhluk
The Slovak word "hluk" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "hlukъ", meaning "noise". It is related to the Czech word "hluk" and the Polish word "huk". In addition to meaning "noise", "hluk" can also refer to a disturbance or commotion.
Slovenianhrupa
The word "hrupa" in Slovenian is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "*xrupъ", which means "to crunch" or "to crackle".
Ukrainianшум
The word "шум" in Ukranian can also refer to a bustling crowd or commotion.

Noise in South Asian Languages

Bengaliশব্দ
The Bengali word "শব্দ" can also refer to language, speech, or sound.
Gujaratiઅવાજ
The Gujarati word "અવાજ" can also mean "a call" or "a voice".
Hindiशोर
"शोर" is also used to refer to the sound of rushing water in Sanskrit.
Kannadaಶಬ್ದ
Derived from Sanskrit 'shabda,' meaning 'sound' or 'word,' 'shabda' in Kannada also refers to 'language' or 'speech.'
Malayalamശബ്ദം
The term can also refer to sound in a wider sense.
Marathiआवाज
'आवाज' also refers to any kind of utterance; as a 'voice'.
Nepaliहल्ला
The word "हल्ला" can also refer to a "commotion" or "uprising".
Punjabiਸ਼ੋਰ
The word "ਸ਼ੋਰ" in Punjabi is cognate to the word "" in Sanskrit, and also shares a root with words meaning "thunder" in other Indo-European languages including "thunder" in English.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)ශබ්දය
"ශබ්දය" is derived from Sanskrit "शब्द (śabda)", which also means "word" or "sound".
Tamilசத்தம்
"சத்தம்" refers to a sound but can also mean "fame".
Teluguశబ్దం
The word "శబ్దం" can also refer to "sound", "speech", or "language" in Telugu.
Urduشور
The term 'شُور' (noise) in Urdu can also refer to 'saltiness' and is commonly added as a suffix to verbs ('ناشُور' = 'unsalted')

Noise in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)噪声
噪声 (zàoshēng) originally meant "a noisy crowd".
Chinese (Traditional)噪聲
噪聲 (zào shēng) can also refer to the sound of footsteps in Chinese.
Japaneseノイズ
ノイズ (noise) can also mean "background noise" or "white noise" in Japanese.
Korean소음
"소음" is a word of Sino-Korean origin meaning both "noise" and "sound".
Mongolianдуу чимээ
It may refer to the sound produced by something
Myanmar (Burmese)ဆူညံသံ
The word ဆူညံသံ, meaning noise, originally referred to the clamor of people or animals before evolving to describe the disturbance of sound in general.

Noise in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiankebisingan
Kebisingan, meaning "noise", is derived from the word "bising" which means "loud or noisy", and the suffix "-an" which denotes a state or condition.
Javaneserame
Javanese ramé ('noisy, full of people') may derive from Tamil, where it's also a descriptor for 'bustling crowds'.
Khmerសំលេងរំខាន
Laoສິ່ງລົບກວນ
Malaybunyi bising
"Bunyi bising is derived from the Malay words
Thaiเสียงดัง
เสียงดัง (siang dang) is derived from the onomatopoeic word "ดัง" (dang), meaning "loud"}
Vietnamesetiếng ồn
In the Vietnamese language, the word "tiếng ồn" can also refer to "loudspeakers".
Filipino (Tagalog)ingay

Noise in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanisəs-küy
The word "səs-küy" can also refer to a lively party or event in Azerbaijani.
Kazakhшу
'Шу' (noise) is also used in Kazakh to express 'buzz' or 'hubbub'.
Kyrgyzызы-чуу
The Kyrgyz word "ызы-чуу" can also be used to refer to a commotion or disturbance.
Tajikсадо
In Pamir languages, the word "садо" means "a small river" and "a gorge".
Turkmenses
Uzbekshovqin
"Shovqin" also means "commotion" or "agitation" in Uzbek.
Uyghurشاۋقۇن

Noise in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianwalaʻau
In Hawaiian, the word “walaʻau” also means “a sound made by a large group of people, such as a chant or a song”.
Maoriharuru
The word 'haruru' can also refer to the rustling of leaves or the sound of running water, capturing the dynamic and diverse nature of auditory experiences in te reo Māori.
Samoanpisa
The word 'pisa' can also refer to the sound made by the wind rustling through leaves.
Tagalog (Filipino)ingay
Ingay is also the term for 'hubbub' or 'outcry', and it can be used to describe any type of unwanted or excessive noise.

Noise in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarauxuri
Guaranityapu

Noise in International Languages

Esperantobruo
The Esperanto word "bruo" is borrowed from the Polish word "brzęk", and also means "buzz".
Latintumultum
"Tumultus" also refers to a popular uprising or riot.

Noise in Others Languages

Greekθόρυβος
The verb θορυβέω means 'to be noisy, to confuse', and is related to words like θρόος (lamentation) and θώρηξ (breastplate).
Hmongsuab nrov
The Hmong word "suab nrov" can also refer to the "sound of music" or "the voice of a person or animal."
Kurdishdeng
The word "deng" in Kurdish can also refer to a melody or tune, highlighting its dual nature as both a disruptive sound and a harmonious composition.
Turkishgürültü, ses
The word "gürültü" is derived from the Mongolian word "gurulday", meaning "to roar or rumble".
Xhosaingxolo
The word "ingxolo" is also used to describe the sound of a crowd or the noise of a waterfall.
Yiddishראַש
The Yiddish word "ראַש" (noise) has its roots in the Old High German word "rasôn," meaning "wrath" or "clamor".
Zuluumsindo
The Zulu word "umsindo" also means "anger" or "irritation", and "noise" is sometimes referred to as "umsindo" from this connotation.
Assameseহুলস্থূল
Aymarauxuri
Bhojpuriशोरगुल
Dhivehiއަޑު
Dogriनक्क
Filipino (Tagalog)ingay
Guaranityapu
Ilocanotagari
Krionɔys
Kurdish (Sorani)دەنگەدەنگ
Maithiliशोरगुल
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯅꯤꯜ ꯈꯣꯡꯕ
Mizobengchheng
Oromowaca
Odia (Oriya)ଶବ୍ଦ
Quechuasinqa
Sanskritकोलाहलं
Tatarшау-шу
Tigrinyaዓው ዓው
Tsongapongo

Click on a letter to browse words starting with that letter