Occasion in different languages

Occasion in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'occasion' holds a significant place in our vocabulary, denoting a particular event or opportunity that stands out from the everyday routine. Its cultural importance is evident in the way we mark occasions with celebrations, rituals, and traditions that vary across the globe. Understanding the translation of 'occasion' in different languages can provide valuable insights into how other cultures perceive and commemorate special moments.

For instance, in Spanish, 'ocasión' (oh-kah-see-OHN) reflects the same sense of importance and uniqueness associated with the word in English. In French, 'occasion' (oh-kah-zee-OHN) carries a similar meaning, but with a subtle nuance that suggests a fortunate or favorable event. Meanwhile, in Japanese, 'occasion' is translated as 'jihen' (jee-hen), which also means 'incident' or 'event', but with a more formal connotation.

Stay tuned for a comprehensive list of translations of the word 'occasion' in various languages, from Arabic to Zulu, each with its own unique cultural significance and historical context.

Occasion


Occasion in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansgeleentheid
Geleentheid is a loanword from Dutch, where it also means "occasion". The -heid suffix denotes an abstract noun, similar to the English "-hood".
Amharicዕድል
The word ዕድል can also mean "opportunity" or "chance".
Hausadamar
"Damar" can also refer to a time or a season.
Igboohere
Ohere, in Igbo also means 'a story of past events'
Malagasyfahafahana
In Malagasy, the word "fahafahana" also means "opportunity" or "chance".
Nyanja (Chichewa)mwayi
In some contexts, "mwayi" can also refer to a funeral or a period of mourning.
Shonamukana
The word 'mukana' in Shona can also refer to a group of people gathered together for a specific purpose.
Somalifursad
The Somali word "fursad" can also mean "luck" or "fortune".
Sesothomonyetla
Swahilifursa
"Fursa" also means "opportunity" in Swahili and comes from the Arabic word "fursa," which means "open space."
Xhosaithuba
The Xhosa word "ithuba" can also mean "opportunity" or "chance."
Yorubaanfani
The word "anfani" also means "opportunity" or "chance" in Yoruba.
Zuluithuba
The Zulu word 'ithuba' also refers to a 'chance' or 'opportunity,' and is closely related to the concept of 'timeliness.'
Bambarasababu ye
Ewewɔna aɖe
Kinyarwandaumwanya
Lingalalibaku
Lugandaomukolo
Sepeditiragalo
Twi (Akan)adeyɛ

Occasion in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicفرصة
The word "فرصة" in Arabic can also mean "chance" or "opportunity".
Hebrewהִזדַמְנוּת
The word הִזדַמְנוּת (occasion) derives from Arabic "damana" which means to guarantee or to be sure.
Pashtoفرصت
Although the word "فرصت" is translated as "occasion" in Pashto, it can also refer to a "favorable time" or a "good opportunity.
Arabicفرصة
The word "فرصة" in Arabic can also mean "chance" or "opportunity".

Occasion in Western European Languages

Albanianmundësi
The Albanian word "mundësi" can also mean "opportunity" or "chance".
Basqueaukera
The Basque word "aukera" also means "opportunity" and is rooted in the verb "auk" (to have).
Catalanoportunitat
The word "oportunitat" in Catalan also means "opportunity" and derives from the Latin "opportunitas," meaning "suitability" or "convenience."
Croatianprilika
The Croatian word “prilika” is also used to indicate an opportunity or a situation that is favorable for something.
Danishlejlighed
The Danish word "lejlighed" originally meant "opportunity" and is related to the German word "Gelegenheit".
Dutchkans
The word "kans" in Dutch is also used to refer to a chance or opportunity.
Englishoccasion
The word "occasion" originally meant "a favorable opportunity" and is derived from the Latin "occasio," meaning "an occurrence or event."
Frenchoccasion
Occasion in French has the additional meaning of "bargain" that is not often found in English.
Frisiangelegenheid
The Frisian word "gelegenheid" also means "opportunity", a meaning that is lost in the Dutch word "gelegenheid".
Galicianoportunidade
The word "oportunidade" is cognate with "opportunitas" in Latin, and can also mean "chance", "favorable moment" or "convenience".
Germangelegenheit
The word "Gelegenheit" is derived from the Middle High German word "gelegen" meaning "to lie" or "to be situated".
Icelandictækifæri
"Tækifæri" literally means "opportunity to grab" in Icelandic, reflecting its original meaning of a chance to seize something valuable.
Irishdeis
The word deis in Irish derives from the Old Irish word deissem, meaning "to happen", and can also refer to a critical juncture or a special event.
Italianopportunità
"Opportunità" derives from Latin's "ob portus," which means "facing the harbour"
Luxembourgishméiglechkeet
Malteseopportunità
Maltese opportunita, from Latin opportunitas, also means 'fitness, ability'.
Norwegianmulighet
The word "mulighet" originates from the Old Norse word "málug", meaning "possibility" or "option".
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)oportunidade
"Oportunidade" derives from the Latin "opportūnus" meaning "suitable" or "convenient."
Scots Gaeliccothrom
The Gaelic word "cothrom" also means "opportunity" or "chance".
Spanishoportunidad
The word "oportunidad" comes from the Latin word "opportunitas," meaning "suitability" or "convenience."
Swedishmöjlighet
The word "möjlighet" is etymologically related to the German word "Möglichkeit", which carries the additional meaning of "possibility" or "potential."
Welshcyfle
The Welsh noun 'cyfle' is derived from the verb 'cael' (to get) and originally meant a 'happening, occurrence, adventure' or 'chance, opportunity' or 'time, occasion'.

Occasion in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianмагчымасць
In Belarusian, "магчымасць" also means "opportunity" or "possibility", sharing the same root as "могчы" ("to be able to").
Bosnianpriliku
In some old Bosnian writings, 'prilika' sometimes meant 'picture' or 'likeness'.
Bulgarianвъзможност
"Възможност" in Bulgarian also means "opportunity" or "chance".
Czechpříležitost
The Czech word "příležitost" comes from the Slavic root *pri-,* meaning "to arrive at," and *lež-,* meaning "to lie down or be situated." Thus, the original meaning of the word was "an opportune time or place."
Estonianvõimalus
"Võimalus" also means "opportunity" in Estonian.
Finnishtilaisuus
Tilaisuus' is related to 'tila ('space'), and 'tilanne' ('situation').
Hungarianlehetőség
The Hungarian word "lehetőség" also means "possibility" and comes from the verb "lehet" meaning "to be possible"
Latvianiespēju
"Iespēja" has the same root as "possible" and "potential," reflecting its meaning of "opportunity"
Lithuaniangalimybė
Galimybė is derived from the root galė ('to be able') and -ybė (a suffix forming abstract nouns), hence 'possibility'. In earlier periods it had the meaning of a special, rare event, which later narrowed down to 'opportunity'.
Macedonianможност
The word "можност" in Macedonian may also refer to the "possibilities" or "chances" available in a given situation.
Polishokazja
The word "okazja" in Polish can also mean "bargain" or "opportunity".
Romanianoportunitate
The Romanian word "oportunitate" also means "opportunity" in English, derived from the Latin "opportunitas."
Russianвозможность
The word "возможность" also means "opportunity".
Serbianприлика
The word "прилика" (occasion) derives from the root "лик" (face), implying an appearance or circumstance that provides an opportunity.
Slovakpríležitosť
The word "príležitosť" can also mean "opportunity" or "chance."
Slovenianpriložnost
The word 'priložnost' is ultimately derived from the Proto-Slavic root *prilьgъ, which also meant 'opportune moment'.
Ukrainianможливість
The word "можливість" is derived from the Proto-Slavic root *mogy-, meaning "able, capable" or "power, strength".

Occasion in South Asian Languages

Bengaliসুযোগ
Bengali 'সুযোগ' has connotations of 'ability' and 'opportunity' from the Sanskrit word 'su-avasara' (beautiful moment)
Gujaratiતક
"તક" also means a joint as a part of the body in Gujarati.
Hindiअवसर
"अवसर" can also mean "opportunity" or even "the Sun".
Kannadaಅವಕಾಶ
The word "ಅವಕಾಶ" can also mean "space" or "opportunity" in Kannada, derived from the Sanskrit word "avakāśa" with similar meanings.
Malayalamഅവസരം
Marathiसंधी
The Marathi word "संधी" has numerous meanings, including "occasion," "joint," "treaty," "junction," and "opportunity."
Nepaliअवसर
"अवसर" has two meanings in Nepali: "opportunity" and "condition".
Punjabiਮੌਕਾ
The word "ਮੌਕਾ" (occasion) is derived from the Persian word "moqa'a," meaning "opportunity" or "timing."
Sinhala (Sinhalese)අවස්ථාවක්
Tamilவாய்ப்பு
Teluguఅవకాశం
"అవకాశం" is also used to refer to "place or opportunity" which originated from the same root word used in Sanskrit 'अवकाश'/'avakaash' meaning "open space, room, opportunity'"
Urduموقع
The word also means "place" and derives from the Arabic root "وقـع" (meaning "to happen").

Occasion in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)机会
机会 (occasion) in Chinese also means "opportunity".
Chinese (Traditional)機會
機會 means 'opportunity' and is a phonetic translation of the Greek word 'οκαισια'; it first appeared in the Tang dynasty (618-907).
Japanese機会
The word "機会" (kiki) also refers to machinery, tools, or utensils.
Korean기회
"기회" can also mean one's 'luck' or 'lot in life', and is used in idioms like "인생의 기회에 찬물을 끼얹다" (to rain on someone's parade).
Mongolianболомж
"Боломж" is also translated as "opportunity" in English.
Myanmar (Burmese)အခွင့်အလမ်း

Occasion in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiankesempatan
The Indonesian word 'kesempatan' ('occasion') derives from the Sanskrit word 'ksama' meaning 'opportunity' or 'favorable time'.
Javanesekesempatan
In Javanese, the word "kesempatan" can also mean "opportunity" or "chance."
Khmerឱកាស
The Khmer word "ឱកាស" ("occasion") is derived from the Sanskrit word "avakāśa", which means "free time" or "opportunity".
Laoໂອກາດ
ໂອກາດ (occasion) is unrelated to the words ໂอกาส (opportunity) and ໂอกาส (time), but is instead a cognate of the Thai word อโหสิ (forgive).
Malaypeluang
The Malay word 'peluang' also means 'opportunity'.
Thaiโอกาส
The word "โอกาส" can also mean "chance" or "opportunity" in Thai.
Vietnamesedịp tốt
The word "dịp tốt" (occasion) comes from the Chinese borrowing "機失" (jíshī), which literally means "missed opportunity" or "critical moment".
Filipino (Tagalog)okasyon

Occasion in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanifürsət
The Azerbaijani word "fürsət" is the cognate of the Persian word "fursat", a derivative of the Arabic word "firṣah", which also means "a good and favourable occasion or opportunity".
Kazakhмүмкіндік
The Kazakh word "мүмкіндік" can also refer to time, opportunity, or ability.
Kyrgyzмүмкүнчүлүк
Tajikимконият
Although the word "имконият" in Tajik means "occasion", it can also be used to refer to a "chance" or "opportunity" in other contexts.
Turkmendabarasy
Uzbekimkoniyat
The Uzbek word "imkoniyat" is derived from the Arabic word "imkan", which means "possibility" or "opportunity."
Uyghurپۇرسەت

Occasion in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianmanawa kūpono
The Hawaiian word for 'occasion', 'manawa kūpono', translates literally as 'time right' or 'proper time'
Maorifaingamālie
The word 'faingamālie' also means 'to make an occasion', 'to mark an occasion', or 'to celebrate an occasion'.
Samoanavanoa
"Avanoa" comes from the word "ava", meaning "ceremonial gathering", and signifies a special occasion where people gather and share food and drink.
Tagalog (Filipino)pagkakataon
The word "pagkakataon" is often used to refer to favorable chances, implying a positive perspective on events.

Occasion in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaraocasión ukax mä jach’a uñacht’äwiwa
Guaraniocasión rehegua

Occasion in International Languages

Esperantookazo
An "okazo" can also refer to a "bargain" or "opportunity".
Latinpotestatem
Potestatem primarily means "power" or "authority" in Latin, and can also refer to "opportunity" or "right."

Occasion in Others Languages

Greekευκαιρία
The word "ευκαιρία" in Greek is derived from the word "καιρός", which has a broader meaning of "time" and can refer to everything from the present moment to the distant future or past, as well as to the concept of "opportune moment" or "favorable occasion".
Hmongsijhawm
The word "sijhawm" can also mean "opportunity" or "chance" depending on the context.
Kurdishfersend
The word 'fersend' comes from the Persian word 'fursat' meaning 'opportunity' or 'chance'.
Turkishfırsat
Fırsat, also has the secondary meaning of 'an opportunity to steal or swindle', possibly originating from Greek φαρσάτος (farsatos 'a thief', 'a robber')
Xhosaithuba
The Xhosa word "ithuba" can also mean "opportunity" or "chance."
Yiddishגעלעגנהייט
The word "געלעגנהייט" also means "opportunity" in Yiddish.
Zuluithuba
The Zulu word 'ithuba' also refers to a 'chance' or 'opportunity,' and is closely related to the concept of 'timeliness.'
Assameseoccasion
Aymaraocasión ukax mä jach’a uñacht’äwiwa
Bhojpuriमौका पर भइल
Dhivehiމުނާސަބަތުގައެވެ
Dogriमौके पर
Filipino (Tagalog)okasyon
Guaraniocasión rehegua
Ilocanookasion
Kriookashɔn
Kurdish (Sorani)بۆنەیەک
Maithiliअवसर
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯊꯧꯔꯝ ꯑꯁꯤꯗꯥ꯫
Mizooccasion
Oromosababeeffachuun
Odia (Oriya)ଅବସର
Quechuaocasión
Sanskritनिमित्तम्
Tatarвакыйга
Tigrinyaኣጋጣሚ
Tsongaxiendlakalo

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