Ordinary in different languages

Ordinary in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'ordinary' is one that we use frequently in our daily lives, yet it holds a significance that goes beyond its everyday usage. It refers to something that is usual, typical, or not exceptional. But what makes 'ordinary' fascinating is its cultural importance and the way it varies in meaning across different languages and societies.

For instance, in Spanish, 'ordinary' translates to 'ordinario', but in Japanese, it's ' futsû', which also means 'normal' or 'regular'. In Russian, 'ordinary' becomes 'obyknovennyy', a term that carries a connotation of 'habitual' or 'customary'. These translations not only reflect linguistic diversity but also offer a glimpse into the cultural nuances of different societies.

Moreover, understanding the translation of 'ordinary' in various languages can enrich your vocabulary, broaden your cultural horizons, and foster effective communication in a global context. So, let's explore how 'ordinary' is translated in different languages around the world.

Ordinary


Ordinary in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansgewone
Gewone comes from Dutch and can also mean customary or typical
Amharicተራ
The Amharic word "ተራ" can also mean "common" or refer to a person of low social status.
Hausatalakawa
The word 'talakawa' in Hausa comes from the Arabic word 'talak' meaning 'divorce' and was probably used to refer to the common people who were often divorced by their rulers.
Igbonkịtị
The Igbo word 'nkịtị' derives from the verb 'nkị' meaning 'to be equal', indicating 'average' or 'standard' quality
Malagasytsotra
The word "tsotra" also means "simple" or "basic" in Malagasy.
Nyanja (Chichewa)wamba
The word "wamba" in Nyanja also means "common", "normal", or "average".
Shonazvakajairika
The word 'zvakajairika' can also refer to something that is common or usual.
Somalicaadi ah
The word "caadi ah" in Somali can also mean "usual" or "normal."
Sesothotloaelehileng
Tloaelehileng's origins lie in 'tloaea', meaning 'usual' or 'customary', while its suffix '-hileng' implies 'being' or 'existing' in a certain state.
Swahilikawaida
In Swahili, "kawaida" also denotes customs and norms.
Xhosaeziqhelekileyo
The word 'eziqhelekileyo' in Xhosa originates from the root '-qheleka', meaning to be common or prevalent, and the prefix -'ezi-' which denotes plurality.
Yorubaarinrin
The Yoruba word "arinrin" is also used to describe a traditional percussion instrument made from a hollow gourd or wooden box.
Zuluejwayelekile
The word "ejwayelekile" also means "common," indicating its wide usage and prevalence.
Bambaragansan
Ewegbe sia gbe nu
Kinyarwandabisanzwe
Lingalaya bongobongo
Luganda-a bulijjo
Sepeditlwaelo
Twi (Akan)kɛkɛ

Ordinary in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicعادي
The word “عادي” also means “average” or “normal” in Arabic
Hebrewרגיל
רגיל comes from the root רי.ג.ל (r-i-g-a-l) meaning "foot", alluding to the idea of something that serves as foundation.
Pashtoعادي
The word "عادي" (ʿādī) in Pashto comes from the Arabic word "عادة" (ʿāda), meaning "habit" or "custom".
Arabicعادي
The word “عادي” also means “average” or “normal” in Arabic

Ordinary in Western European Languages

Albaniani zakonshëm
The Albanian word "i zakonshëm" shares etymology with the word "zakon" (law), implying the idea of established and commonplace.
Basquearrunta
The word "arrunta" can also mean "usual", "habitual", or "current" in Basque.
Catalanordinari
In Catalan, "ordinari" also means "weekday" or "regularly celebrated".
Croatianobična
The word 'obična' can also mean 'usual' or 'common' in Croatian.
Danishalmindelig
The word "almindelig" derives from the Old Norse word "almenningr", meaning "common" or "belonging to all". It can also refer to something that is widespread or usual.
Dutchgewoon
The Dutch word "gewoon" originally meant "habitual" and is related to the words "wonen" (to live) and "woonplaats" (place of residence).
Englishordinary
The word "ordinary" derives from the Latin "ordinarius," meaning "arranged in due order."
Frenchordinaire
In French, "ordinaire" can also refer to a daily meal or a sermon delivered on a weekday.
Frisiangewoan
The word "gewoan" (Frisian "ordinary") has a counterpart in "gewoon" (Dutch "ordinary"), but is also used in the sense "usual" or "customary."
Galicianordinario
In Galician, "ordinario" can also refer to the person who orders masses in a church.
Germangewöhnliche
The German word "gewöhnliche" comes from the Middle High German "gewohnheit" ("habit"), reflecting the idea of something common, customary, or expected.
Icelandicvenjulegt
The word "venjulegt" can also mean "nice" or "lovely" in Icelandic.
Irishgnáth
In the Irish language, the word "gnáth" also means "usual" or "customary"
Italianordinario
The Italian word "ordinario" also has the alternate meanings "usual", "customary", and "commonplace".
Luxembourgishgewéinlech
"Gewéinlech" is closely related to "gewunnen" (German for "won") and originally referred to something that is commonly won, i.e., is available in abundance.
Malteseordinarju
The word "ordinarju" is derived from the Latin word "ordinarius", meaning "regular" or "customary".
Norwegianvanlig
The word "vanlig" is derived from the Proto-Germanic word *gamana- meaning "going, walking"
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)comum
"Comum" derives from Latin "communis," also meaning "shared, jointly held, public".
Scots Gaelicàbhaisteach
The word "abhaisteach" (ordinary) in Scots Gaelic originally meant "uncommon" or "extraordinary".
Spanishordinario
"Ordinario" can also refer to a type of Catholic mass or a person who is common or vulgar.
Swedishvanlig
In Swedish, 'vanlig' can also mean 'usual' or 'common', and derives from the old Norse word 'vanr', meaning 'accustomed to' or 'used to'.
Welshcyffredin
The Welsh word "cyffredin" can also refer to a type of ancient Welsh metre or a set of rules.

Ordinary in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianзвычайны
The word "звычайны" in Belarusian is derived from the word "звычай" meaning "custom" or "tradition". It can also refer to something that is "habitual" or "usual".
Bosnianobičan
The word 'običan' can also mean 'common', 'usual', or 'typical'.
Bulgarianобикновен
Обикновен comes from обик, which translates as "around" in English and can be found in other words like обиколка which means "circumference". The Slavic suffix "вен" is used to create collective nouns, resulting in "обикновен" which can be interpreted as "all-around" or "common".
Czechobyčejný
"Obyčejný" is derived from the word "obyčej" meaning "custom" or "tradition".
Estoniantavaline
The word "tavaline" in Estonian comes from the German word "tavel". The word "tavel" means "table" and the word "tavaline" means "common" or "regular".
Finnishtavallinen
The word "tavallinen" is derived from the Old Norse word "tafall", meaning "common" or "customary".
Hungarianrendes
In archaic usage, "rendes" means "having its proper measure or order"
Latvianparasts
The word "parasts" in Latvian can also mean "funeral feast" or "memorial service".
Lithuanianpaprastas
The word "paprastas" is related to the Lithuanian word "paprotis", meaning "custom" or "tradition".
Macedonianобичен
"Обичен" also means "dear" or "beloved" in Macedonian.
Polishzwyczajny
The word "zwyczajny" has a broader meaning than its English counterpart, encompassing the concepts of both "common" and "usual."
Romaniancomun
The Romanian word "comun" comes from the Latin "communis," meaning "common," and also shares its root with the English "commune."
Russianобычный
The word “обычный” initially meant “common” or “usual”, but later acquired the additional meaning of “plain” or “boring” in the 18th century.
Serbianобичан
The Serbian word "обичан" also has the meaning of "beloved".
Slovakobyčajný
The word “obyčajný” is derived from the Proto-Slavic word “obyčaj” meaning “custom” or “habit” and can also mean “common” or “usual” in Slovak.
Slovenianvsakdanji
The word 'vsakdanji' comes from 'vsaki' meaning 'every' and 'dan' meaning 'day', thus 'every day'; it also means 'profane'.
Ukrainianзвичайний
The word "звичайний" is derived from the Old Church Slavonic word "obyčajь", meaning "custom" or "tradition".

Ordinary in South Asian Languages

Bengaliসাধারণ
সাধারণ শব্দের মূল শব্দটি হল সংস্কৃত শব্দ 'সাধারণ', যার অর্থ 'সাধারণ, সাধারণ, সাধারণ'।
Gujaratiસામાન્ય
The Gujarati word "સામાન્ય" can also mean "usual" or "common" in addition to its primary meaning of "ordinary."
Hindiसाधारण
"साधारण" is derived from Sanskrit "साधारण्य" (sādharaṇya) meaning "universality, community, common" and is related to the Persian word "ساده" (sādeh) meaning "simple, plain". Alternative meanings of "साधारण" include "common, normal, usual".
Kannadaಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ
The word "ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ" (sāmanya) in Kannada, also means "generic" or "broad" in nature.
Malayalamസാധാരണ
സാധാരണ (sādāraṇa) is derived from the Sanskrit word Sadharana which means 'common' or 'general'.
Marathiसामान्य
The word "सामान्य" can also mean "usual" or "regular" in Marathi.
Nepaliसाधारण
The word "साधारण" can also mean "general" or "common".
Punjabiਸਧਾਰਣ
"ਸਧਾਰਣ" is also used to describe something that is simple or straightforward.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)සාමාන්ය
In Sinhala, "සාමාන්‍ය" means "normal" but it is also used for "common" or "usual."
Tamilசாதாரண
"சா தாரண" (sā tāraṇa) in Tamil is cognate to Sanskrit "साधारण" (sādhāraṇa), both ultimately tracing back to the root "साध्" (sādh) meaning "to accomplish, complete, perfect."
Teluguసాధారణ
The word "సాధారణ" can also mean "common", "usual", or "typical" in Telugu.
Urduعام
The word "عام" in Urdu can also mean "general", "universal", or "public".

Ordinary in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)普通
"普通" can also mean "common" or "general".
Chinese (Traditional)普通
普通 in Chinese refers to both "common" and "generally speaking", and the latter meaning only came to be in the 20th century.
Japanese普通
Originally means 'broad communication' and still used as a term to describe public communication, such as in "普通選挙" (universal suffrage) and "普通教育" (general education).
Korean보통주
"보통주" can also refer to common stock (as opposed to preferred stock) in Korean, which is a type of equity security that represents ownership in a corporation.
Mongolianэнгийн
The word "энгийн" originally meant "peaceful" and was used to describe the peaceful nature of everyday life.
Myanmar (Burmese)သာမန်

Ordinary in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianbiasa
The word "biasa" in Indonesian, besides meaning "ordinary", comes from the Proto-Austronesian "*bihasa/*biyasa" meaning "skill, ability".
Javanesebiasa
The word "biasa" in Javanese also means "accustomed" or "in the habit of".
Khmerធម្មតា
The word "ធម្មតា" can also be used to refer to the average or norm
Laoທຳ ມະດາ
Malaybiasa
The word "biasa" originates from the Proto-Malayo-Polynesian word "biyasa", which also carries the meaning of "customary" or "habitual".
Thaiสามัญ
'สามัญ' originally meant 'common', but is now also used to mean 'simple' or 'plain'.
Vietnamesebình thường
The word "bình thường" can also be used to mean "peaceful" or "tranquil".
Filipino (Tagalog)karaniwan

Ordinary in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniadi siravi
The word "adi siravi" literally translates to "normal order" in Azerbaijani.
Kazakhқарапайым
The word "қарапайым" also means "black-footed" or "black-faced" in Kazakh, referring to the dark coloration of the legs or face of certain animals.
Kyrgyzжөнөкөй
The Kyrgyz word "жөнөкөй" ("ordinary") is derived from the Persian "jahan", meaning "world".
Tajikоддӣ
"Oddī" in Tajik can also refer to the "standard", "typical" or "usual" way of doing something.
Turkmenadaty
Uzbekoddiy
In Uzbek, the word “oddiy” not only means “ordinary,” but can also have the meaning of “unique” or “exclusive,” highlighting the subtle nuances and complexities of Uzbek vocabulary.
Uyghurئادەتتىكى

Ordinary in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianmaʻamau
The word "maʻamau" can also refer to "familiar" or "usual" in Hawaiian.
Maorinoa
Maori also use "noa" to mean common or everyday things.
Samoanmasani
Masani can also mean 'usual', 'customary', 'normal', or 'simple'.
Tagalog (Filipino)ordinaryong
The Tagalog word "ordinaryong" also refers to someone or something that is "mediocre".

Ordinary in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaraukhampuni
Guaranijepivegua

Ordinary in International Languages

Esperantoordinara
The word "ordinara" in Esperanto originates from the Latin word "ordinarius", which means "regular" or "usual".
Latinordinarius
The Latin word Ordinarius derives from the phrase 'ordo ordinis,' meaning 'series of ranks,' and has alternate meanings such as 'bishop' or 'judge'

Ordinary in Others Languages

Greekσυνήθης
In the Iliad, the word originally denoted something 'accustomed', 'familiar', while the usual meaning is of something 'common', 'usual'.
Hmongzoo tib yam
The Hmong word "zoo tib yam" can also refer to the concept of "normality" or "regularity".
Kurdishadî
The word "adî" can also mean "natural" or "innate" in the context of human qualities or characteristics.
Turkishsıradan
The word "sıradan" comes from the Persian word "siradan", meaning "in order" or "in sequence".
Xhosaeziqhelekileyo
The word 'eziqhelekileyo' in Xhosa originates from the root '-qheleka', meaning to be common or prevalent, and the prefix -'ezi-' which denotes plurality.
Yiddishגעוויינטלעך
The Yiddish word "געוויינטלעך" (geveynitlekh) is derived from the German word "gewöhnlich," meaning "usual" or "customary."}
Zuluejwayelekile
The word "ejwayelekile" also means "common," indicating its wide usage and prevalence.
Assameseসাধাৰণ
Aymaraukhampuni
Bhojpuriसधारन
Dhivehiއާދައިގެ
Dogriममूली
Filipino (Tagalog)karaniwan
Guaranijepivegua
Ilocanoordinario
Krionɔmal
Kurdish (Sorani)ئاسایی
Maithiliसाधारण
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯏꯆꯝ ꯆꯝꯕ
Mizotlanglawn
Oromobakka guddaa kan hin jirre
Odia (Oriya)ସାଧାରଣ
Quechuakaqlla
Sanskritसामान्य
Tatarгади
Tigrinyaተራ
Tsongantolovelo

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