Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'performance' holds a significant place in our lives, often representing the culmination of skills, talent, and hard work. Whether it's on a stage, a sports field, or in a boardroom, performance is a universal language that transcends cultures.
Throughout history, performance has been a cornerstone of human expression. From the ancient Greek amphitheaters to modern-day Broadway, performances have captivated audiences and shaped societies. It's not just about entertainment; performances can also be educational, inspirational, and even transformative.
Understanding the word 'performance' in different languages can open up a world of cultural insights. For instance, the French 'performance' not only refers to a show but also to the successful achievement of a task. In Japanese, 'performance' is 'パフォーマンス' (pafōmansu), reflecting the influence of Western culture.
Exploring the translations of 'performance' is more than just a language exercise. It's a journey into the heart of human expression and the diverse ways we communicate across the globe. Here are some translations to get you started:
Afrikaans | optrede | ||
The word "optrede" in Afrikaans is derived from the Dutch word "optreden", which means "to appear". It can also be used to refer to a "performance", a "appearance", or a "show". | |||
Amharic | አፈፃፀም | ||
The word "አፈፃፀም" can also refer to "accomplishment" or "deed" in Amharic. | |||
Hausa | yi | ||
In the Hausa language, the word "yi" not only means "performance," but also "action," "doing," "effect," and "result." | |||
Igbo | arụmọrụ | ||
"Arumọrụ" is also used to refer to a dramatic or theatrical representation. | |||
Malagasy | fampisehoana | ||
The Malagasy word fampisehoana is a cognate of the Indonesian word pentas, which also means 'performance', while a related word miseho derives from the Javanese term pamesahan, meaning a 'dance rehearsal'. | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | ntchito | ||
"Ntchito" also has a connotation of "a job or work." | |||
Shona | kuita | ||
The Shona word "kuita" is derived from the Proto-Bantu root "-ita" meaning "to do" or "to make." | |||
Somali | waxqabadka | ||
The Somali word "waxqabadka" literally translates to "the act of carrying out, doing, or performing". | |||
Sesotho | tshebetso | ||
In Sesotho tshebetso can also mean 'work' in the context of employment or 'task' or 'chore'. | |||
Swahili | utendaji | ||
Utendaji can also mean 'creation' or 'work of art' in Swahili. | |||
Xhosa | ukusebenza | ||
'Ukusenbenza' also means 'to be a good citizen, who contributes to his/her people and the society'. | |||
Yoruba | iṣẹ | ||
In the Yoruba language, the word "iṣẹ" has a double meaning, with its primary sense as "work" or "labour" and a secondary sense referring to "performance" or "the carrying out of a task." | |||
Zulu | ukusebenza | ||
The Zulu word "ukusebenza" also carries meanings related to "toiling" and "labor," reflecting the cultural emphasis on the value of work in Zulu society. | |||
Bambara | se | ||
Ewe | dᴐwᴐwᴐ | ||
Kinyarwanda | imikorere | ||
Lingala | mosala | ||
Luganda | okwoolesa | ||
Sepedi | phethagatšo | ||
Twi (Akan) | mmɔdemmɔ | ||
Arabic | أداء | ||
"أداء" (performance) derives from the root "أَدَى" (to fulfill, deliver), implying the act of carrying out a task or obligation. | |||
Hebrew | ביצועים | ||
The word "ביצועים" in Hebrew can also refer to "execution" like carrying out a sentence. | |||
Pashto | کړنه | ||
The term "krna" originates from the verb "krnal" or "koral" in Pashto, signifying "to do" or "to make". | |||
Arabic | أداء | ||
"أداء" (performance) derives from the root "أَدَى" (to fulfill, deliver), implying the act of carrying out a task or obligation. |
Albanian | performancës | ||
Performancës can also mean 'display', 'show', or 'act' in Albanian. | |||
Basque | emanaldia | ||
In the Basque language, the word "emanaldia" also means "expression" and "manifestation." | |||
Catalan | rendiment | ||
The Catalan word "rendiment" can also mean "yield" or "return on investment" | |||
Croatian | izvođenje | ||
The Croatian word "izvođenje" can also mean "deduction" or "inference". | |||
Danish | ydeevne | ||
The word "ydeevne" in Danish is derived from the Old Norse word "afn", meaning "ability" or "strength." | |||
Dutch | prestatie | ||
In legal contexts 'prestatie' refers to the specific subject matter of a contract, an obligation one party has towards the other. | |||
English | performance | ||
In addition to its theatrical sense, "performance" can also refer to carrying out or fulfilling a task, or to the act of functioning or operating. | |||
French | performance | ||
The word "performance" comes from the Latin verb "performare," which means "to carry out" or "to complete." | |||
Frisian | optreden | ||
In Frisian, "optreden" can also refer to a gathering or public event. | |||
Galician | actuación | ||
"Actuación" in Galician also refers to a legal act or a notary's certification. | |||
German | performance | ||
In German, "Performance" can also refer to a presentation or live show, such as a musical or theatrical performance. | |||
Icelandic | frammistaða | ||
The word "frammistaða" in Icelandic can also refer to a "presentation" or "speech". | |||
Irish | feidhmíocht | ||
Italian | prestazione | ||
"Prestazione" also means "service" or "benefit" in Italian, highlighting its connection to the idea of an exchange or provision. | |||
Luxembourgish | leeschtung | ||
Maltese | prestazzjoni | ||
"Prestazzjoni" comes from the Italian "prestazione", meaning "service", "duty" or "performance." | |||
Norwegian | opptreden | ||
In Norwegian, "opptreden" additionally means "emergence" or "occurrence" | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | desempenho | ||
In Portuguese, "desempenho" can also mean "outcome" or "discharge of a duty or obligation" | |||
Scots Gaelic | coileanadh | ||
It also means a lesson, the act of learning, a religious or ceremonial practice, a rehearsal, a preparation, and a custom that has the force of law. | |||
Spanish | actuación | ||
The word actuación comes from the Latin “actus”, which means act, and has other meanings such as the effect of an action or the behavior of a person in a certain situation. | |||
Swedish | prestanda | ||
The Swedish word "prestanda" derives from the Latin word "praestare", which means "to fulfill". | |||
Welsh | perfformiad | ||
The Welsh word "perfformiad" comes from the Latin word "performare", meaning "to carry out" or "to complete." |
Belarusian | прадукцыйнасць | ||
Bosnian | performanse | ||
The word "performanse" can also refer to a benefit or a profit in Bosnian. | |||
Bulgarian | производителност | ||
"Производителност" is also used to refer to the efficiency of machines or systems. | |||
Czech | výkon | ||
The word "výkon" in Czech can also mean power, output, capacity, or achievement. | |||
Estonian | jõudlus | ||
"Jõudlus" is related to the Estonian word "jõud" ("power") and the -lus suffix indicates an abstract concept or state, therefore "jõudlus" can be understood as "the state of having power" or "the ability to perform". | |||
Finnish | esitys | ||
"Esitys" also means "presentation" or "exhibition" in Finnish. | |||
Hungarian | teljesítmény | ||
The Hungarian word "teljesítmény" comes from the verb "teljesít" meaning "to accomplish" and can also mean "power" or "capacity." | |||
Latvian | sniegumu | ||
Latvian word “sniegums” also means “snow”; however, it derives from the verb “sniegt” (“to give”) and is more related to the concept of “achievement” or “attainment”. | |||
Lithuanian | spektaklis | ||
The word "spektaklis" originates from the Latin word "spectaculum," meaning "a public show." | |||
Macedonian | изведба | ||
The word "изведба" comes from the verb "извести", meaning "to take out" or "to execute". | |||
Polish | występ | ||
"Występ" also means "misdemeanor" in Polish, originating from the verb "występować" meaning "to step out" or "to protrude". | |||
Romanian | performanţă | ||
In Romanian, "performanță" can also mean "achievement" or "success". | |||
Russian | производительность | ||
The word "производительность" is also used in the financial context to refer to company's return on assets (ROA), that is net profit per total assets. | |||
Serbian | перформансе | ||
The Serbian word "перформансе" can also refer to a theatrical performance or a musical concert. | |||
Slovak | výkon | ||
Výkon also means 'output' or 'power' in the sense of 'ability to accomplish or do something'. | |||
Slovenian | izvedba | ||
The word "izvedba" also means "realization" or "implementation" in Slovenian. | |||
Ukrainian | продуктивність | ||
"Продуктивність" has the same etymology as "productivity" in English: both stemming from the Latin root "producere" which means "to produce" or "to bring forth". |
Bengali | কর্মক্ষমতা | ||
The word কর্মক্ষমতা can also mean 'competence' or 'ability', derived from the Sanskrit root 'karma', meaning 'action'. | |||
Gujarati | કામગીરી | ||
"કામગીરી" (performance) in Gujarati also refers to a task or function to be done. | |||
Hindi | प्रदर्शन | ||
In Hindi, the word "प्रदर्शन" can also mean "display". | |||
Kannada | ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ಷಮತೆ | ||
The term 'ಕಾರ್ಯಕ್ಷಮತೆ' also refers to one's work output and the ability to achieve desired results. | |||
Malayalam | പ്രകടനം | ||
"പ്രകടനം" is also a synonym for "appearance" in Malayalam and comes from the Sanskrit word "prakāça." It can also mean "demonstration" or "evidence". | |||
Marathi | कामगिरी | ||
The word "कामगिरी" also means "occupation" in Marathi. | |||
Nepali | प्रदर्शन | ||
The word प्रदर्शन "performance" can also mean "exhibition" or "show" in Nepali. | |||
Punjabi | ਪ੍ਰਦਰਸ਼ਨ | ||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | කාර්ය සාධනය | ||
Tamil | செயல்திறன் | ||
Telugu | పనితీరు | ||
The word "పనితీరు" can also mean "productivity" or "efficiency" in Telugu. | |||
Urdu | کارکردگی | ||
Chinese (Simplified) | 性能 | ||
In Chinese, "性能" also refers to the inherent characteristics or capabilities of something. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 性能 | ||
In Taiwanese Hokkien, "性能" also refers to a person's temperament. | |||
Japanese | パフォーマンス | ||
In Japanese, "パフォーマンス" can also mean "show" or "act" in a theatrical or entertainment context. | |||
Korean | 공연 | ||
The Hanja character "공" in "공연" means "public," indicating a performance is meant to be shared with others. | |||
Mongolian | гүйцэтгэл | ||
The Mongolian word "гүйцэтгэл" (performance) comes from the verb "гүйцэх" which means to reach, arrive, attain, achieve, or fulfill. | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | စွမ်းဆောင်ရည် | ||
Indonesian | kinerja | ||
The word "kinerja" in Indonesian can also refer to "deed" or "action". | |||
Javanese | kinerja | ||
The Javanese word 'kinerja' also means 'work' or 'deed', reflecting the emphasis on collective action and mutual support in Javanese culture. | |||
Khmer | ការសម្តែង | ||
In Khmer, "ការសម្តែង" can refer to a "presentation of an art form" or "a public declaration, such as an excuse for missing work." | |||
Lao | ການປະຕິບັດ | ||
In Lao, "ການປະຕິບັດ" can also be a performance (as in the execution of a song or play) or the fulfillment of a task or duty. | |||
Malay | prestasi | ||
The word "prestasi" is also used in Indonesian and Tagalog, where it means "achievement" or "accomplishment." | |||
Thai | ประสิทธิภาพ | ||
In addition to its common meaning of "performance," "ประสิทธิภาพ" can also mean "efficacy" or "efficiency". | |||
Vietnamese | hiệu suất | ||
The word "hiệu suất" can also mean "output" or "efficiency". | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | pagganap | ||
Azerbaijani | performans | ||
In Azerbaijani, "performans" can also refer to the action of carrying out a task or undertaking, as seen in "məsuliyyətlərini performans etmək" (to carry out one's obligations). | |||
Kazakh | өнімділік | ||
Өнімділік can refer to productivity or efficiency depending on context. | |||
Kyrgyz | аткаруу | ||
The word | |||
Tajik | иҷрои | ||
The word "иҷрои" can also refer to the act of carrying out or fulfilling a task or duty in Tajik. | |||
Turkmen | öndürijiligi | ||
Uzbek | ishlash | ||
The word "ishlash" in Uzbek can also mean "to work" or "to fulfill one's duty." | |||
Uyghur | ئىقتىدار | ||
Hawaiian | hana ana | ||
The term 'hana ana' also refers to a form of ancient Hawaiian healing practice. | |||
Maori | mahi | ||
Mahi can also mean 'work' or 'deed'. | |||
Samoan | faatinoga | ||
Faatinoga can also refer to a performance that is put on for a special occasion, such as a wedding or a birthday party. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | pagganap | ||
"Pagganap" can also mean "act" or "role" in Tagalog, akin to English's "performance". |
Aymara | ukhakama | ||
Guarani | ojapokuaáva | ||
Esperanto | agado | ||
The esperanto word "agado" likely derives from the Italian "agire" with a passive verb ending. | |||
Latin | perficiendi | ||
The Latin word "perficiendi" can also mean "finishing" or "making perfect". |
Greek | εκτέλεση | ||
In Greek, "εκτέλεση" can also refer to "capital punishment", which originated from its ancient meaning of "carrying out a judicial order". | |||
Hmong | kev ua tau zoo | ||
In the Hmong language, "kev ua tau zoo" not only refers to "performance", but also encompasses the broader concept of "doing well" or "achieving something worthwhile." | |||
Kurdish | birêvebirinî | ||
Birêvebirinê can colloquially refer to a play or a theatrical performance, particularly in the context of Kurdish folklore and tradition. | |||
Turkish | verim | ||
The word "verim" in Turkish can also mean "yield" or "output." | |||
Xhosa | ukusebenza | ||
'Ukusenbenza' also means 'to be a good citizen, who contributes to his/her people and the society'. | |||
Yiddish | פאָרשטעלונג | ||
The Yiddish word "פאָרשטעלונג" (performance) also means "representation" or "pretense." | |||
Zulu | ukusebenza | ||
The Zulu word "ukusebenza" also carries meanings related to "toiling" and "labor," reflecting the cultural emphasis on the value of work in Zulu society. | |||
Assamese | প্ৰদৰ্শন | ||
Aymara | ukhakama | ||
Bhojpuri | प्रदर्शन | ||
Dhivehi | ހުށަހެޅުން | ||
Dogri | कारकर्दगी | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | pagganap | ||
Guarani | ojapokuaáva | ||
Ilocano | aramid | ||
Krio | pafɔm | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | ئەدا | ||
Maithili | प्रदर्शन | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯄꯥꯡꯊꯣꯛꯇꯨꯅ ꯎꯌꯄ | ||
Mizo | chetdan | ||
Oromo | ga'umsa | ||
Odia (Oriya) | କାର୍ଯ୍ୟଦକ୍ଷତା | ||
Quechua | allin llamkay | ||
Sanskrit | प्रदर्शनम् | ||
Tatar | спектакль | ||
Tigrinya | ብቅዓት | ||
Tsonga | matirhelo | ||