Phenomenon in Different Languages
Discover 'Phenomenon' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'phenomenon' has a rich history and cultural significance that extends far beyond its dictionary definition. Derived from the Greek word 'phainomenon,' meaning 'that which appears' or 'that which is manifest,' this term has been used to describe a wide range of observable events, from natural wonders to social trends.
Throughout history, the concept of phenomenon has played a crucial role in shaping our understanding of the world around us. From Galileo's observations of celestial bodies to Charles Darwin's studies of biological species, many groundbreaking discoveries have been made by examining and classifying various phenomena.
Moreover, phenomenon has a unique cultural significance in different societies and languages. For example, in Japanese, the term 'genshō' refers specifically to natural phenomena, while in Spanish, the word 'fenómeno' can also be used to describe a person with exceptional skills or talents.
Understanding the translation of phenomenon in different languages can provide valuable insights into how different cultures perceive and categorize the world around them. Whether you're a language enthusiast, a cultural scholar, or simply someone with a curious mind, exploring the many meanings of phenomenon is a fascinating journey that is sure to broaden your horizons.
Here are some translations of phenomenon in different languages to get you started:
Phenomenon
Phenomenon in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | verskynsel | ||
| "Verskynsel" comes from the Dutch word "verschijnsel," meaning "appearance" or "manifestation." | |||
| Amharic | ክስተት | ||
| The word "ክስተት" also means "nature" or "occurrence" in Amharic. | |||
| Hausa | sabon abu | ||
| "Sabon abu" is a compound word meaning "new thing" in Hausa. | |||
| Igbo | onu | ||
| In Igbo, "onu" can also mean "mouth" or "language", reflecting the idea that speech is a manifestation of one's being. | |||
| Malagasy | javatra | ||
| The word "javatra" can also refer to a sign, a signal or a mark. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | chodabwitsa | ||
| 'Chodabwitsa' is a Nyanja word meaning 'phenomenon', but it is also a word used to describe an unusual or extraordinary event. | |||
| Shona | fani | ||
| The Kalanga use the word 'pfani' to mean 'a thing of no significance'. | |||
| Somali | ifafaale | ||
| Ifafaale, a Somali word commonly translated as "phenomenon," shares an etymological root with "falaad," meaning "to do, perform, or accomplish," and "falaaqaad," meaning "accomplishment, result, or creation." | |||
| Sesotho | ketsahalo | ||
| Ketsahalo, meaning phenomenon, has been theorized to derive from 'ketsa' (to separate) and 'halo' (to be separate). This suggests the idea of an occurrence that sets itself apart and remains isolated. | |||
| Swahili | jambo | ||
| The Swahili word "jambo" comes from the Arabic word "jumhūriyyah", meaning "republic". | |||
| Xhosa | into | ||
| In Xhosa, the word "into" can also be used to describe something that is strange or unusual. | |||
| Yoruba | lasan | ||
| In Yoruba, “lasan” also means “to be plentiful.” | |||
| Zulu | into | ||
| The Zulu word "into" can also refer to a type of traditional beer made from sorghum. | |||
| Bambara | fɛnw | ||
| Ewe | nudzɔdzɔ | ||
| Kinyarwanda | phenomenon | ||
| Lingala | likambo | ||
| Luganda | ekintu ekisubirwa okuberawo | ||
| Sepedi | diponagalo | ||
| Twi (Akan) | deɛ ɛrekɔ so | ||
Phenomenon in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | ظاهرة | ||
| The Arabic word "ظاهرة" (phenomenon) is derived from the root "ظهر" (to appear) and can also mean "manifestation" or "outward sign". | |||
| Hebrew | תופעה | ||
| "תופעה " additionally means "occurrence" or "happening" in Hebrew. | |||
| Pashto | پدیده | ||
| The Pashto word "پدیده" is also used to refer to "an extraordinary occurrence" or "a strange or unusual thing." | |||
| Arabic | ظاهرة | ||
| The Arabic word "ظاهرة" (phenomenon) is derived from the root "ظهر" (to appear) and can also mean "manifestation" or "outward sign". | |||
Phenomenon in Western European Languages
| Albanian | dukuri | ||
| The word "dukuri" can also refer to a rare or unusual event. | |||
| Basque | fenomenoa | ||
| The Basque word “fenomenoa” comes from the Greek word “phainómenon” which means “that which is apparent to the senses”. | |||
| Catalan | fenomen | ||
| The term "fenomen" comes from the Greek "phainomenon" ('manifestation'), and shares this root with "fenomen" in Portuguese, Spanish, Italian, and "phénomène" in French | |||
| Croatian | fenomen | ||
| In Croatian, 'fenomen' is sometimes also used to describe a person who is particularly skilled or exceptional. | |||
| Danish | fænomen | ||
| The Danish word "fænomen" can also refer to an outstanding or remarkable person or occurrence. | |||
| Dutch | fenomeen | ||
| In Dutch "fenomeen" can also mean "eccentric person". | |||
| English | phenomenon | ||
| The word "phenomenon" can also refer to a famous or extraordinary person or thing. | |||
| French | phénomène | ||
| Le mot "phénomène" provient du grec "phainomenon", qui signifie "ce qui apparaît". | |||
| Frisian | ferskynsel | ||
| The Frisian word "ferskynsel" derives from Middle Dutch "verschijnsel". The term "ferskynsel" denotes an extraordinary event, occurrence, or object, particularly a rare celestial event. | |||
| Galician | fenómeno | ||
| In Galician, "fenómeno" is used to describe something strange or unusual, and can also refer to a person who is considered odd or eccentric. | |||
| German | phänomen | ||
| The German word "Phänomen" has the same meaning as the English "phenomenon" but also derives from the Greek "phainomenon", meaning "appearance" | |||
| Icelandic | fyrirbæri | ||
| The word "fyrirbæri" can also mean "occurrence" or "event", and originates from the Old Norse word "fyrirbæri", meaning "that which is carried before". | |||
| Irish | feiniméan | ||
| The Irish word "feiniméan" is also used to refer to a ghost or apparition. | |||
| Italian | fenomeno | ||
| The Italian word "fenomeno" comes from the Ancient Greek "phainómenos", meaning "that which appears". | |||
| Luxembourgish | phänomen | ||
| In Luxembourgish, "Phänomen" also means "extraordinary person" or "celebrity". | |||
| Maltese | fenomenu | ||
| The Maltese word "fenomenu" is derived from the Latin word "phenomenon", which means "appearance". It can also be used to refer to a remarkable or unusual event or person. | |||
| Norwegian | fenomen | ||
| "Fenomen" in Norwegian can also mean "event" or "occurrence". | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | fenômeno | ||
| In some Portuguese-speaking areas, "fenômeno" can also refer to someone or something exceptional, talented, or charismatic. | |||
| Scots Gaelic | iongantas | ||
| In Scots Gaelic, "iongantas" can also refer to "marvel" or "miracle". | |||
| Spanish | fenómeno | ||
| The word "fenómeno" derives from the Ancient Greek word "phainómenon" meaning "appearance" or "that which is seen." | |||
| Swedish | fenomen | ||
| In Swedish, the word "fenomen" is derived from Greek and means both "phenomenon" and "illusion" or "false appearance". | |||
| Welsh | ffenomen | ||
| The word 'ffenomen' can also refer to a 'miracle' or 'marvel' in Welsh. | |||
Phenomenon in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | з'ява | ||
| "З'ява" is cognate with the Russian word "явление" and the Ukrainian word "явище", all of which derive from the Proto-Slavic word *javъ, meaning "to appear" or "to manifest." | |||
| Bosnian | fenomen | ||
| In Bosnian, 'fenomen' is also used to describe something or someone extraordinary or unusual. | |||
| Bulgarian | явление | ||
| The word "явление" in Bulgarian can also refer to an event, occurrence, or manifestation. | |||
| Czech | jev | ||
| The word "jev" in Czech also means "appearance" or "manifestation". | |||
| Estonian | nähtus | ||
| In older literary Estonian, "nähtus" had the additional meaning of "manifestation" or "appearance." | |||
| Finnish | ilmiö | ||
| "Ilmiö" is the Finnish word for "phenomenon," but it can also refer to a "mental health problem" or a "strange occurrence." | |||
| Hungarian | jelenség | ||
| The Hungarian word "jelenség" translates to "phenomenon" in English, but it also means "appearance", "sign", or "indication". | |||
| Latvian | parādība | ||
| The word “parādība” in Latvian has the same root as the word “parādīt” (meaning “to show”) and is related to the idea of something that is “shown” or “made visible”. | |||
| Lithuanian | reiškinys | ||
| The word "reiškinys" in Lithuanian also means "an event", "a happening", or "a fact". | |||
| Macedonian | феномен | ||
| The word "феномен" comes from the Greek "phainómenon", meaning that which can be seen. | |||
| Polish | zjawisko | ||
| The Polish word "zjawisko" is derived from the verb "zjawiać się" meaning "to appear". | |||
| Romanian | fenomen | ||
| The Romanian word "fenomen" comes from Greek "phainómenon", meaning "that which appears" or "that which is seen". | |||
| Russian | явление | ||
| The Russian word "явление" can also refer to a "manifestation" or a "sign". | |||
| Serbian | феномен | ||
| У српском језику, реч "феномен" може означавати и натприродно биће. | |||
| Slovak | fenomén | ||
| In Slovak, "fenomén" can also refer to a celebrity, usually in a negative sense. | |||
| Slovenian | pojav | ||
| "Pojav" can also mean "appearance" or "manifestation" in Slovenian. | |||
| Ukrainian | явище | ||
| "Явище" can also mean "appearance" or "manifestation". | |||
Phenomenon in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | ঘটমান বিষয় | ||
| ঘটমান বিষয় refers to an 'event' or 'occurrence', but can also mean 'phenomenon', 'fact' or 'circumstance' | |||
| Gujarati | ઘટના | ||
| The Gujarati word "ઘટના" (ghanṭanā) also means "event" or "occurrence". | |||
| Hindi | घटना | ||
| The Hindi word घटना (ghatana) means "happening," but can also refer to a "festival" or an "event celebrating a famous person's life or work." | |||
| Kannada | ವಿದ್ಯಮಾನ | ||
| "ವಿದ್ಯಮಾನ" is derived from the Sanskrit word "विद्यमान", meaning "existing" or "manifest". It can also refer to an event, a manifestation, or an appearance. | |||
| Malayalam | പ്രതിഭാസം | ||
| The word "പ്രതിഭാസം" in Malayalam means "phenomenon". It is also used to refer to "a manifestation of a deity" or "a miracle". | |||
| Marathi | इंद्रियगोचर | ||
| The word "इंद्रियगोचर" in Marathi literally translates to "that which is perceptible to the senses" and can also refer to "worldly" or "material" things. | |||
| Nepali | घटना | ||
| "घटना" (घट् + √न) also means "to reduce" or "to come together" in Nepali. | |||
| Punjabi | ਵਰਤਾਰੇ | ||
| ਵਰਤਾਰੇ (vartaare) is also used in Punjabi to describe occurrences or happenings that have a specific timeframe, like religious observances or fasts. | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | සංසිද්ධිය | ||
| Tamil | நிகழ்வு | ||
| The Tamil word "நிகழ்வு" can also refer to an event, occurrence, or happening. | |||
| Telugu | దృగ్విషయం | ||
| దృగ్విషయం is derived from the Sanskrit words 'दृक्' (dṛk) meaning 'to see' and 'विषय' (viṣaya) meaning 'object', which collectively refer to an object or event that can be perceived. | |||
| Urdu | رجحان | ||
| The Urdu word "رجحان" originally meant "inclination" or "tendency". | |||
Phenomenon in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 现象 | ||
| "现象" (xiànxiàng) can mean "phenomenon", "aspect", or "situation" in Chinese. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 現象 | ||
| 現象 (xiànxiàng) means "phenomenon" in English. It can also mean "appearance" or "manifestation". | |||
| Japanese | 現象 | ||
| The word "現象" (phenomenon) is derived from ancient Greek φαινόμενον (phainómenon), which means "appearance" or "outward show." | |||
| Korean | 현상 | ||
| The word 현상(現象) was borrowed from the Japanese word | |||
| Mongolian | үзэгдэл | ||
| The term "үзэгдэл" is related to the Mongolian word "үз" ("to see") and the suffix "-дел" ("state or condition"), indicating something visible or observable. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | ဖြစ်ရပ်ဆန်း | ||
| The word is most likely derived from the Pali term ādhippakāro, which refers to a "cause" or "determinant." | |||
Phenomenon in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | fenomena | ||
| The Indonesian word "fenomena" originates from the Greek word "phainomenon", meaning "that which appears" or "observable fact". | |||
| Javanese | kedadean | ||
| The word 'kedadean' in Javanese can also refer to something that happens or appears suddenly. | |||
| Khmer | បាតុភូត | ||
| "បាតុភូត" can also refer to a physical object or a non-physical entity, such as a concept or an idea. | |||
| Lao | ປະກົດການ | ||
| Malay | fenomena | ||
| In Malay, "fenomena" can also refer to supernatural or extraordinary events or entities. | |||
| Thai | ปรากฏการณ์ | ||
| ปรากฏการณ์ comes from the Sanskrit word 'prākatya' meaning 'appearance', 'manifestation' or 'occurrence'. | |||
| Vietnamese | hiện tượng | ||
| The Vietnamese word 'hiện tượng' can also mean 'illusion' or 'manifestation'. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | kababalaghan | ||
Phenomenon in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | fenomen | ||
| In Azerbaijani, fenomen has alternate meanings such as "amazing" and "extraordinary". | |||
| Kazakh | құбылыс | ||
| The word "құбылыс" can also refer to an event, occurrence, or natural phenomenon. | |||
| Kyrgyz | кубулуш | ||
| The word "кубулуш" can also refer to a state of mind or the process of getting used to something. | |||
| Tajik | падида | ||
| In Tajik, "падида" also means "evidence" or "sign". | |||
| Turkmen | hadysasy | ||
| Uzbek | hodisa | ||
| Hodisa derives from the Arabic word "hadath" and has synonyms including "voqea" and "ajoyib" in Uzbek. | |||
| Uyghur | ھادىسە | ||
Phenomenon in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | hanana | ||
| While **hanana** usually means "phenomenon" in Hawaiian, it can also mean "story", "act", or "deed". | |||
| Maori | tītohunga | ||
| The word 'tītohunga' in Māori also refers to an omen, sign, or portent, with its root 'tītohu' meaning 'to stand out or be prominent'. | |||
| Samoan | mea ofoofogia | ||
| The word "mea ofoofogia" is a compound of "mea" (thing) and "oofoogia" (to happen, occur). | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | kababalaghan | ||
| The word kababalaghan (phenomenon) likely originated from the word "kabal" (horse) and "balaghan" (shed), referring to extraordinary occurrences that are as unexpected as finding a horse in a shed. | |||
Phenomenon in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | phinuminu | ||
| Guarani | ojehukakuaáva | ||
Phenomenon in International Languages
| Esperanto | fenomeno | ||
| The Esperanto word "fenomeno" has the same etymology as the English word "phenomenon", both being derived from the Greek word "phainomenon", meaning "that which appears." | |||
| Latin | dictu | ||
| The Latin word "dictu" has the primary meaning of "to be said" or "to be told". | |||
Phenomenon in Others Languages
| Greek | φαινόμενο | ||
| In Greek, "φαινόμενο" originally meant "appearance" or "that which is seen," and can also refer to a ghost or apparition. | |||
| Hmong | qhov tshwm sim | ||
| The word 'qhov tshwm sim' is also used to refer to a 'symptom' or 'sign'. | |||
| Kurdish | diyarde | ||
| The Kurdish word 'diyarde' comes from the Persian word 'dayar' which means 'land' or 'country'. | |||
| Turkish | fenomen | ||
| The word "fenomen" in Turkish can also be used to mean "celebrity", especially in the entertainment industry. | |||
| Xhosa | into | ||
| In Xhosa, the word "into" can also be used to describe something that is strange or unusual. | |||
| Yiddish | דערשיינונג | ||
| The Yiddish word "דערשיינונג" also carries the meanings of "appearance" and "manifestation". | |||
| Zulu | into | ||
| The Zulu word "into" can also refer to a type of traditional beer made from sorghum. | |||
| Assamese | অদ্ভুত ঘটনা | ||
| Aymara | phinuminu | ||
| Bhojpuri | घटना | ||
| Dhivehi | ފެނޯމިނާ | ||
| Dogri | घटना | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | kababalaghan | ||
| Guarani | ojehukakuaáva | ||
| Ilocano | datdatlag | ||
| Krio | mirekul | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | دیاردە | ||
| Maithili | तथ्य | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯊꯧꯑꯣꯡ | ||
| Mizo | thilmak | ||
| Oromo | kan yaadatamu | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ଘଟଣା | ||
| Quechua | fenomeno | ||
| Sanskrit | घटना | ||
| Tatar | феномен | ||
| Tigrinya | ኽስተት | ||
| Tsonga | nchumu wo hlawuleka | ||