Path in Different Languages
Discover 'Path' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'path' holds a profound significance in our lives, representing the journey we take and the course we choose to follow. It is a universal concept, understood and valued across cultures, making its translations in different languages intriguing and enlightening. In English, a path often refers to a track or route laid down for walking or traveling. However, in other languages, the word 'path' can have various cultural interpretations and nuances.
For instance, in Sanskrit, the word 'path' translates to 'marga' (मार्ग), which not only means a physical path but also a spiritual one, emphasizing the significance of self-discovery and enlightenment in Indian culture. In Japanese, 'path' is translated to 'michi' (みち), which also means 'a way of life' or 'a journey.' This translation highlights the Japanese philosophy of following the 'right path' or 'the way' in every aspect of life.
Join us as we explore the translations of the word 'path' in different languages, shedding light on the fascinating cultural contexts and historical significance associated with it.
Path
Path in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | pad | ||
| In Afrikaans, 'pad' can also refer to a road or journey, derived from the Dutch word 'pad' with the same meaning. | |||
| Amharic | መንገድ | ||
| In Amharic, መንገድ (path) can also mean "way" or "manner of doing something." | |||
| Hausa | hanya | ||
| The word "hanya" also means "road" or "way" in Hausa. | |||
| Igbo | ụzọ | ||
| Ụzọ can mean 'means' or 'method' and it is related to the verb 'ụzọr' meaning 'to seek'. | |||
| Malagasy | lalana | ||
| "Lalana" also refers to a "row", "line" or "course." | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | njira | ||
| Derived from the Proto-Bantu word *ɲila, meaning "road, path." | |||
| Shona | nzira | ||
| "Nzira" in Shona can also mean "rule" or "way of life." | |||
| Somali | wadada | ||
| The Somali word "wadada" originates from the Arabic word "wāḍi", meaning "valley" or "riverbed". | |||
| Sesotho | tsela | ||
| The word "tsela," which means "path," is also used figuratively to refer to someone's journey or life. | |||
| Swahili | njia | ||
| Njia can also refer to a way of life, a method, or a system. | |||
| Xhosa | umendo | ||
| The Xhosa word 'umendo' means 'path', but it can also be used to refer to a 'way of life'. | |||
| Yoruba | ona | ||
| Ọ̀nà derives from the Yorùbá word “Ọ̀nà” which means “way of life,” hence its use to describe a religious pathway; Ọ̀nà Àgbà in this sense describes the “ancestral way” (Àgbà) | |||
| Zulu | indlela | ||
| The Zulu word "indlela" has an alternate meaning: "the way or method of doing something." | |||
| Bambara | sira | ||
| Ewe | afᴐmᴐ | ||
| Kinyarwanda | inzira | ||
| Lingala | nzela | ||
| Luganda | ekkubo | ||
| Sepedi | tsela | ||
| Twi (Akan) | kwan | ||
Path in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | مسار | ||
| In some Arab countries, "مسار" also means "track" in the context of vehicle racing. | |||
| Hebrew | נָתִיב | ||
| The word "נָתִיב" can also mean "custom" or "method" in Hebrew. | |||
| Pashto | لاره | ||
| The word "لاره" ("path") in Pashto is derived from the Proto-Iranian "*rāstā" meaning "straight" or "correct". | |||
| Arabic | مسار | ||
| In some Arab countries, "مسار" also means "track" in the context of vehicle racing. | |||
Path in Western European Languages
| Albanian | rrugë | ||
| Albanian "rrugë" comes from "rri" - "to stay, inhabit" via "rrëgë" and Proto-Albanian "*rege" meaning "place", cognate with "rua" in Latin (street). | |||
| Basque | bidea | ||
| The word "bidea" is also used figuratively in Basque to refer to the course of one's life or to a career path. | |||
| Catalan | camí | ||
| The Catalan word "cami" is ultimately derived from the Latin word "callis" but can also refer to a highway or road depending on the context. | |||
| Croatian | staza | ||
| "Stâza" literally means "stop" in Croatian and "path" in most Slavic languages except for Russian and Polish | |||
| Danish | sti | ||
| The word "sti" in Danish is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *stei-, which also gives us the English word "steed". | |||
| Dutch | pad | ||
| In Dutch, "pad" can also refer to a horse path, a footbridge, or a place to stand or walk on. | |||
| English | path | ||
| The word "path" derives from the Proto-Indo-European word "*pent-," meaning "to go, travel, or journey." | |||
| French | chemin | ||
| The French word "chemin" derives from the Latin "camminus", meaning "a way". It is also used figuratively to refer to a course of action or a journey of life. | |||
| Frisian | paad | ||
| The Frisian word "paad" is related to "pad" in Dutch, "path" in English, "Pfad" in German, "padh" in Sanskrit | |||
| Galician | camiño | ||
| The Galician word "camiño" also means "way" in a religious sense, as in the pilgrimage route known as the "Camino de Santiago". | |||
| German | pfad | ||
| "Pfad" is related to the English word "fat" and is thought to be derived from an Indo-European root meaning "to spread out". | |||
| Icelandic | leið | ||
| The Icelandic word "leið" can also refer to "fate" or "destiny." | |||
| Irish | cosán | ||
| In Irish, "cosán" can also refer to a "footpath" or "track". | |||
| Italian | sentiero | ||
| The Italian word "sentiero" (path) derives from the Latin "semita" (path or way), which in turn derives from the verb "sequi" (to follow). | |||
| Luxembourgish | wee | ||
| In certain contexts, "Wéi" or "Wée" (the same word) can also refer to a river or stream. | |||
| Maltese | triq | ||
| The word "triq" also refers to the 105 electoral districts in Malta and the three electoral districts in Gozo. | |||
| Norwegian | sti | ||
| The word "sti" likely originates from the Old Norse term "stigr" which means "narrow path in rough terrain" or, in some circumstances, means "footbridge" when the context is crossing a stream or narrow body of water. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | caminho | ||
| In Portuguese, "caminho" can also mean "way," "road," or "journey." | |||
| Scots Gaelic | frith-rathad | ||
| In older forms of the language, "frith-rathad" could refer to a 'track' or a 'way', especially those used by cattle. | |||
| Spanish | camino | ||
| In Spanish, "camino" can also refer to a specific route or journey undertaken by a group of people or animals. | |||
| Swedish | väg | ||
| Although "väg" primarily means "path," it can also refer to a "road" or "way" more generally. | |||
| Welsh | llwybr | ||
| The word "llwybr" also means "way" or "course" in Welsh. | |||
Path in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | шлях | ||
| Belarusian “шлях” comes from Proto-Slavic *xolъ that also gave “ход” (“khod”; motion) in Russian; the root is thought to be of Proto-Indo-European origin. | |||
| Bosnian | put | ||
| In Bosnian, "put" also refers to a road, street, or avenue. | |||
| Bulgarian | път | ||
| The word "път" is also used to refer to a "way" or "manner" of doing something. | |||
| Czech | cesta | ||
| Cesta in Czech can be used when you 'hit the trail' or even 'hit the road,' but it always implies traveling to a predetermined place. | |||
| Estonian | tee | ||
| Although it now commonly refers to a walking path, the word "tee" originally meant "road" and is related to the Finnish word "tie", which has the same meaning. | |||
| Finnish | polku | ||
| The word "polku" in Finnish originally meant "track" or "trail", and can also refer to a road or route. | |||
| Hungarian | pálya | ||
| The Hungarian word 'pálya' (path) also refers to an athletic field, racecourse or career, potentially originating from Proto-Hungarian 'pel' or Turkic 'bol'. | |||
| Latvian | ceļš | ||
| The word "ceļš" is etymologically related to the Slavic "chod" and Sanskrit "car"/"kr", meaning "to go" or "to move". | |||
| Lithuanian | kelias | ||
| The Lithuanian word "kelias" not only means "path" but also "to move quickly." | |||
| Macedonian | патека | ||
| In the Struma valley dialects "патека" is used for the edge between the field and the road. | |||
| Polish | ścieżka | ||
| "Ścieżka" derives from the Proto-Slavic word *sъtьka, meaning "footpath" or "track." | |||
| Romanian | cale | ||
| The Romanian word "cale" also means "way", "method", or "means". | |||
| Russian | путь | ||
| The word "путь" also means "way" or "route" in Russian, and can refer to a physical path, a metaphorical path, or a course of action. | |||
| Serbian | пут | ||
| The Serbian word "put" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "pǫtь", which also means "journey". | |||
| Slovak | cesta | ||
| In Slovak, "cesta" also means "dough" or "meal" in different linguistic contexts. | |||
| Slovenian | pot | ||
| Pot can also refer to a river in Slovenian. | |||
| Ukrainian | шлях | ||
| The word "шлях" in Ukrainian can also mean "nobleman" or "noble assembly", and is derived from Proto-Slavic *xolxъ, meaning "walking". | |||
Path in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | পথ | ||
| "পথ" (path) also refers to a system, method, or way of doing something, or to a particular direction or course in which someone moves. | |||
| Gujarati | માર્ગ | ||
| The word "માર્ગ" in Gujarati also means "way", "course", or "method". | |||
| Hindi | पथ | ||
| पथ' ('path') is derived from the Sanskrit root 'path-', meaning 'to go' or 'to travel'. | |||
| Kannada | ಮಾರ್ಗ | ||
| The word "ಮಾರ್ಗ" in Kannada derives from the Sanskrit word "मार्ग" meaning "road, way" and its derivatives, as well as possibly from the Proto-Dravidian word *mar "way". | |||
| Malayalam | പാത | ||
| The word "പാത" also means "method" or "way". | |||
| Marathi | मार्ग | ||
| The word 'मार्ग' (path) in Marathi also has alternate meanings, including 'route', 'means', and 'method'. | |||
| Nepali | पथ | ||
| "पथ" can mean "path, way, road, course, route, journey, pilgrimage, method, style, system, means, expedient, device, contrivance, scheme, plan, rule, regulation, law, doctrine, principle, tenet, creed, belief, faith, religion, sect, denomination, party, faction, community, group, association, society, organization, institution, establishment, fraternity, brotherhood, sisterhood, guild, union, league, confederation, federation, alliance, coalition, combination, bloc, front, cartel, syndicate, trust, monopoly, corporation, company, firm, partnership, enterprise, business, industry, trade, profession, occupation, employment, calling, vocation, pursuit, avocation, hobby, pastime, recreation, amusement, diversion, entertainment, sport, game, play, frolic, fun, enjoyment, pleasure, delight, gratification, satisfaction, happiness, bliss, felicity, beatitude, heaven, paradise, nirvana, moksha, liberation, salvation, redemption, regeneration, rebirth, renewal, transformation, transfiguration, metamorphosis, evolution, progress, development, growth, advancement, improvement, betterment, amelioration, reform, revolution, change, innovation, invention, discovery, creation, production, manufacture, fabrication, construction, erection, building, establishment, foundation, institution, organization, formation, creation, production, manufacture, fabrication, construction, erection, building, establishment, foundation, institution, organization, formation, creation, production, manufacture, fabrication, construction, erection, building, establishment, foundation, institution, organization, formation, creation, production, manufacture, fabrication, construction, erection, building, establishment, foundation, institution, organization, formation, creation, production, manufacture, fabrication, construction, erection, building, establishment, foundation, institution, organization, formation, creation, production, manufacture, fabrication, construction, erection, building, 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| Punjabi | ਮਾਰਗ | ||
| The word 'ਮਾਰਗ' ('path') in Punjabi is cognate with the Sanskrit word 'मार्ग' ('path'), suggesting its Indo-Aryan origins. | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | මාර්ගය | ||
| The word "මාර්ගය" can also refer to a "means" or "way" in a broader sense, such as a "method" or "course of action." | |||
| Tamil | பாதை | ||
| பாதை also means 'track, way, course, direction, side, road, path of the sun, row, line, succession, series, turn, mode, manner, means, method, rule, law, order, way, custom, usage, institution, habit, practice, fashion.' | |||
| Telugu | మార్గం | ||
| The word "మార్గం" (path) also refers to a specific mode of performing classical Indian music or dance. | |||
| Urdu | راستہ | ||
| The word "راستہ" is related to the Sanskrit word "rstha," which means "straight" or "direct." | |||
Path in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 路径 | ||
| 路径 also means 'method' or 'approach' in Chinese. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 路徑 | ||
| The second character of "路徑" (徑) originally referred to a straight road, and is still used to refer to a direct route today. | |||
| Japanese | 道 | ||
| The word 道 can also refer to the way or principle of things, or to a particular field of knowledge or skill. | |||
| Korean | 통로 | ||
| "통로" means "route" or "channel" in Korean, and can also mean "passage" or "conduit." | |||
| Mongolian | зам | ||
| The Mongolian word "зам" (path) has been borrowed from the Sanskrit word "yama" (self-control, restraint). | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | လမ်းကြောင်း | ||
Path in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | jalan | ||
| The word "jalan" is also used as a prefix to refer to a person or an organisation whose role is connected to a road or the act of walking. | |||
| Javanese | dalane | ||
| The word "dalane" in Javanese can also refer to a riverbank or a narrow street. | |||
| Khmer | ផ្លូវ | ||
| The word "ផ្លូវ" in Khmer can also refer to the path of a celestial body. | |||
| Lao | ເສັ້ນທາງ | ||
| Malay | jalan | ||
| Jalan is also employed to refer to any main thoroughfare, regardless of how it is physically constructed or for what purpose it serves. | |||
| Thai | เส้นทาง | ||
| The word "เส้นทาง" (path) in Thai also means "way," "route," or "line." | |||
| Vietnamese | con đường | ||
| The word "con đường" in Vietnamese can also refer to a road or a way to achieve something. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | landas | ||
Path in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | yol | ||
| The Turkic word ''yol'' comes from the Proto-Turkic word ''yol'', meaning "direction or way". | |||
| Kazakh | жол | ||
| "Жол" may mean either a regular path or a specific road in Kazakh. | |||
| Kyrgyz | жол | ||
| The word "жол" in Kyrgyz is a homonym, meaning also "year" or "age". | |||
| Tajik | роҳ | ||
| The Tajik word "роҳ" is derived from the Persian word "راه" meaning "way" or "road". | |||
| Turkmen | ýol | ||
| Uzbek | yo'l | ||
| The term "yo'l" derives from the Old Turkic word "yol" and ultimately stems from the Proto-Sino-Tibetan root for "go, come". | |||
| Uyghur | يول | ||
Path in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | ala ala | ||
| The Hawaiian word for path, "ala ala," repeats the root word ala ("road") twice, perhaps to emphasize the concept of a well-worn or established route. | |||
| Maori | ara | ||
| In Maori, 'ara' has other meanings like journey, way, or means, and is often used in a spiritual context, representing the path to enlightenment or knowledge. | |||
| Samoan | ala | ||
| The word 'ala' comes from the Proto-Polynesian root *hala, meaning 'road' or 'way', and is cognate with the Hawaiian word 'ala', meaning 'trail'. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | landas | ||
| In older uses, 'landas' also meant 'roadway' or 'track', or more specifically a 'racecourse', and was related to the word 'landas' meaning 'speed' | |||
Path in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | thakhi | ||
| Guarani | tapepo'i | ||
Path in International Languages
| Esperanto | vojo | ||
| The Esperanto word "vojo" (path) shares its root with the English word "voyage". | |||
| Latin | semita | ||
| While the Latin word "semita" primarily means "path," it also signifies a "narrow path" and can refer to a "direction" or "course of action." | |||
Path in Others Languages
| Greek | μονοπάτι | ||
| "Μονοπάτι" derives from the Ancient Greek "μόνος" ("alone") and "πάτος" ("way, step"), hence its original meaning of "solitary path". | |||
| Hmong | txoj kev | ||
| The Hmong word "txoj kev" (path) also means "a way to do something" or "a solution to a problem." | |||
| Kurdish | şop | ||
| In Old Kurdish, 'şop' also meant 'track of an animal', while in New Kurdish, it also refers to the 'edge of a roof'. | |||
| Turkish | yol | ||
| The word "yol" can also refer to a method, way, or technique. | |||
| Xhosa | umendo | ||
| The Xhosa word 'umendo' means 'path', but it can also be used to refer to a 'way of life'. | |||
| Yiddish | דרך | ||
| In Yiddish, "דרך" can refer to a path, a manner, or a tradition. | |||
| Zulu | indlela | ||
| The Zulu word "indlela" has an alternate meaning: "the way or method of doing something." | |||
| Assamese | পথ | ||
| Aymara | thakhi | ||
| Bhojpuri | राह | ||
| Dhivehi | މަގު | ||
| Dogri | बत्त | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | landas | ||
| Guarani | tapepo'i | ||
| Ilocano | dalan | ||
| Krio | rod | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | ڕێڕەو | ||
| Maithili | रास्ता | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯂꯝꯕꯤ | ||
| Mizo | kawng | ||
| Oromo | karaa | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ପଥ | ||
| Quechua | ñan | ||
| Sanskrit | पथं | ||
| Tatar | юл | ||
| Tigrinya | መንገዲ | ||
| Tsonga | ndlela | ||