Updated on March 6, 2024
Planning is an essential concept that impacts our daily lives, shaping how we organize our time, resources, and activities. Its significance transcends cultural boundaries, making it a universal concept that is valued and practiced around the world. From a young age, we are taught the importance of planning, whether it's mapping out our daily tasks or setting long-term goals.
The cultural importance of planning is evident in many aspects of our lives, from the intricate rituals and traditions that are passed down from generation to generation to the sophisticated infrastructure and technology that enable us to connect and communicate with people from all corners of the globe. Planning allows us to anticipate and prepare for the future, helping us to navigate the challenges and opportunities that come our way.
For those interested in language and culture, understanding the translation of planning in different languages can provide valuable insights into how different cultures approach this universal concept. Here are a few examples:
Afrikaans | beplanning | ||
The word "beplanning" in Afrikaans can also mean "to plot" or "to conspire". | |||
Amharic | እቅድ ማውጣት | ||
The term "እቅድ ማውጣት" (planning) in Amharic can also mean "to make a plan" or "to devise a strategy". | |||
Hausa | shiryawa | ||
The word "shiryawa" in Hausa is derived from the Arabic word "shirah," meaning "a path, way, or road." | |||
Igbo | na-eme atụmatụ | ||
The Igbo word na-eme atụmatụ literally translates to 'to make projections' in English, highlighting its dynamic and anticipatory nature. | |||
Malagasy | fandrindrampiterahana | ||
The word "fandrindrampiterahana" literally translates to "the art of thinking about the future" | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | kukonzekera | ||
The word "kukonzekera" in Chichewa also means "to prepare" or "to arrange". | |||
Shona | kuronga | ||
The word 'kuronga' in Shona, meaning 'planning', is derived from the verb 'kuronga', meaning 'to weave' or 'to plait'. | |||
Somali | qorshaynta | ||
The word "qorshaynta" in Somali shares an etymological link to the term "qur'aan," meaning "to read" and "recite." | |||
Sesotho | ho rera | ||
The Sesotho word "ho rera" can also mean "to think" or "to devise" a plan. | |||
Swahili | kupanga | ||
The word 'kupanga' in Swahili can also mean 'to arrange' or 'to put in order'. | |||
Xhosa | ucwangciso | ||
'Ucwango' in Xhosa also means 'the law' or 'the constitution', and 'ciso' means 'to set' or 'to appoint'. The word 'ucwangciso' thus encompasses the ideas of setting the law or constitution, and planning. | |||
Yoruba | igbogun | ||
Igbo, a Yoruba word meaning forest or clearing, could be a metaphor for the clearing up of ideas during the planning process. | |||
Zulu | ukuhlela | ||
"Ukuhlela" comes from the verb "ukuhlela," meaning "to be in order" or "to be tidy or well-arranged." | |||
Bambara | bolodacogo | ||
Ewe | ɖoɖowɔwɔ ɖe nu ŋu | ||
Kinyarwanda | igenamigambi | ||
Lingala | kosala mwango | ||
Luganda | okuteekateeka | ||
Sepedi | go rulaganya | ||
Twi (Akan) | nhyehyɛe a wɔyɛ | ||
Arabic | التخطيط | ||
The word "التخطيط" in Arabic encompasses both the concepts of "planning" and "drawing", highlighting its dual usage for strategic decision-making and graphical representation. | |||
Hebrew | תִכנוּן | ||
The word תִכנוּן (tiknun) also means "fixing" or "repairing" in Hebrew, reflecting its use in both the context of physical structures and intangible concepts. | |||
Pashto | پلان جوړول | ||
The Pashto word "پلان جوړول" can also mean "to scheme" or "to plot". | |||
Arabic | التخطيط | ||
The word "التخطيط" in Arabic encompasses both the concepts of "planning" and "drawing", highlighting its dual usage for strategic decision-making and graphical representation. |
Albanian | planifikimi | ||
The word "planifikimi" derives from the Latin "planificare," meaning "to make a plan". | |||
Basque | plangintza | ||
The Basque word "plangintza" is derived from the Latin "planctus", meaning "a beating or striking". The word also has the alternate meaning of "a lament or mourning". | |||
Catalan | planificació | ||
In Catalan, the word "planificació" also means "the action or process of making or carrying out a plan". | |||
Croatian | planiranje | ||
The word "planiranje" in Croatian can also refer to the concept of "planning" in the context of urban development and architectural design. | |||
Danish | planlægning | ||
The Danish word "planlægning" also means "plotting". | |||
Dutch | planning | ||
Plannen comes from the French word 'plan', meaning 'flat surface' or 'drawing'. | |||
English | planning | ||
In Middle French, the phrase "à la plane" means "straight on"; thus the original meaning of "plan" is "flat map". | |||
French | planification | ||
French word "Planification" is derived from Latin "planus" meaning "flat" and describes the process of making a plan or project. | |||
Frisian | planning | ||
It comes from the Old West Frisian word 'plan,' meaning 'level'. | |||
Galician | planificación | ||
The Galician word "planificación" is also used to refer to the process of making plans or the result of planning. | |||
German | planung | ||
In archaic German, 'Planung' referred to flat surfaces, like a smooth wooden beam or a wooden door. | |||
Icelandic | skipulagningu | ||
The word "skipulagningu" in Icelandic originates from the Old Norse word "skipulag", meaning "arrangement" or "order." | |||
Irish | pleanáil | ||
The Irish word "pleanáil" is derived from the Latin "planus," meaning "flat" or "level," and originally referred to a flat surface on which plans were drawn. | |||
Italian | pianificazione | ||
The word "pianificazione" comes from the Latin word "planus," meaning "flat" or "level," and originally referred to the process of leveling land for building or agriculture. | |||
Luxembourgish | plangen | ||
Etymology: French "plan" = English "plan"; German "Planung" "planning"; English "to plan" | |||
Maltese | ippjanar | ||
The term **ippjanar** is ultimately derived from the Latin "planis" (flat, even), and also has the meanings 'to flatten', 'to smooth' or 'to iron' in Maltese. | |||
Norwegian | planlegger | ||
The word "planlegger" comes from the Old Norse word "plon", meaning "flat surface". | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | planejamento | ||
Planejamento in Portuguese is derived from the French word "plan" and can also refer to a "sketch" or "drawing" | |||
Scots Gaelic | dealbhadh | ||
The Gaelic for “planning” is “dealbhadh” pronounced “jal-vaa”, cognate with “dealbh” meaning a “picture” or “image” | |||
Spanish | planificación | ||
The Spanish word "planificación" can also refer to the process of drafting a plan or the finished plan itself. | |||
Swedish | planera | ||
Planera also means "to flatten" or "to pave" in Swedish. | |||
Welsh | cynllunio | ||
"Cynllunio" also means "conspiracy" or "plot" in Welsh. |
Belarusian | планаванне | ||
Bosnian | planiranje | ||
"Planiranje" can also refer to a surface or area, as in a flat plain or the surface of a table. | |||
Bulgarian | планиране | ||
The Bulgarian word "планиране" also means "scheduling". | |||
Czech | plánování | ||
"Plánování" is a derivative of the verb "plánovat" (to plan), which is derived from the German word "Plan" (plan). | |||
Estonian | planeerimine | ||
In addition to its primary meaning of "planning," "planeerimine" can also refer to "grooming" or "planing," likely due to its root in the word "plaan," meaning "plan." | |||
Finnish | suunnittelu | ||
Suunnittelu (roughly translating to "planning" in English) comes from the verb suunnata (roughly translating to "to set a course" in English). | |||
Hungarian | tervezés | ||
The word 'tervezés' also means 'design', as in the design of a building or a product. | |||
Latvian | plānošana | ||
Plānošana derives from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "flat" or "level". | |||
Lithuanian | planavimas | ||
Planavimas is also the present active participle of the verb "planuoti" ("to plan") in Lithuanian. | |||
Macedonian | планирање | ||
"Планирање" derives from the Proto-Slavic verb *planiti, meaning "to spread out, to lay flat". | |||
Polish | planowanie | ||
The Polish word planowanie can also refer to flat, level terrain and derives from the Latin word 'planus,' meaning 'flat.' | |||
Romanian | planificare | ||
The word "planificare" derives from the Latin word "planus," meaning "flat" or "even," and the suffix "-ficare," meaning "to make." | |||
Russian | планирование | ||
"Планирование" is derived from the Latin word "planus" (flat) and can also refer to flat surfaces or terrain. | |||
Serbian | планирање | ||
Serbian ščćčćąđ čďąđ ("planning") is a word of Slavic origin, ultimately derived from Proto-Slavic *ščćčćąđ, meaning "to count" or "to calculate." | |||
Slovak | plánovanie | ||
The word "plánovanie" is derived from the Latin word "planus", meaning "flat" or "level", and is related to the concept of creating a flat or level surface on which something can be built. | |||
Slovenian | načrtovanje | ||
"Načrtovanje" is a cognate of the Russian word "nachertaniye" and can also mean "sketching" or "drawing". | |||
Ukrainian | планування | ||
The Ukrainian word "планування" can also refer to the layout or design of a building or space. |
Bengali | পরিকল্পনা | ||
পরিকল্পনা can also mean 'plot' or 'scheme' | |||
Gujarati | આયોજન | ||
આયોજન can also mean "arrangement, organization, or management." | |||
Hindi | योजना | ||
The word 'योजना' also means 'arrangement' or 'scheme' in Hindi, and is cognate with the English word 'yoke'. | |||
Kannada | ಯೋಜನೆ | ||
The word ಯೋಜನೆ (yojana) comes from the Sanskrit word "yuja"," meaning "to join". | |||
Malayalam | ആസൂത്രണം | ||
The word "ആസൂത്രണം" in Malayalam has alternate meanings such as "foresight" and "prudence." | |||
Marathi | नियोजन | ||
In its original form, the word नियोजन refers to the act of fixing a marriage. | |||
Nepali | योजना गर्दै | ||
योजना गर्दै, meaning "planning" in Nepali, is derived from the Sanskrit root "yuj", meaning "to join or unite." | |||
Punjabi | ਯੋਜਨਾਬੰਦੀ | ||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | සැලසුම් | ||
"සැලසුම්" can also refer to a proposal or design, showcasing its versatile nature beyond "planning". | |||
Tamil | திட்டமிடல் | ||
The word "திட்டமிடல்" in Tamil can also refer to the process of creating a plan or scheme. | |||
Telugu | ప్రణాళిక | ||
"ప్రణాళిక" is the Telugu word for "planning", derived from the Sanskrit word "pranali" meaning "channel, plan, or path of action." | |||
Urdu | منصوبہ بندی | ||
Derived from "صوبا" meaning "province"; originally referred to "provincial administration" or "government's plans for the provinces". |
Chinese (Simplified) | 规划 | ||
规划 in Chinese can also mean 'layout' or 'design'. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 規劃 | ||
The Chinese character “規劃” can also mean “map” or “to divide something into sections,” and derives from the oracle bone script of an arrow aimed at a square target. | |||
Japanese | 計画 | ||
The term 計画 in Japanese can also refer to an event, schedule, or program. | |||
Korean | 계획 | ||
"계획" is also used to refer to a plot or scheme | |||
Mongolian | төлөвлөлт | ||
Төлөвлөлт (planning) is the Cyrillic spelling of the English word "planning" and may also refer to an individual's physical appearance or characteristics. | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | စီမံကိန်း | ||
Indonesian | perencanaan | ||
Although it shares its root word with 'rancang' (meaning 'design'), 'perencanaan' also translates to 'planning' in English. | |||
Javanese | ngrancang | ||
"Ngrancang" also means "walking with spread legs" in Javanese. | |||
Khmer | ការធ្វើផែនការ | ||
Lao | ການວາງແຜນ | ||
Malay | merancang | ||
The Malay word "merancang" is cognate with the Javanese word "rancang", meaning "a design or blueprint". | |||
Thai | การวางแผน | ||
The Thai word "การวางแผน" ("planning") originally comes from the Sanskrit word "karma"} | |||
Vietnamese | lập kế hoạch | ||
"Lập kế hoạch" comes from two Chinese characters: "lập" (to set up, to plan) and "kế hoạch" (a plan, a scheme). | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | pagpaplano | ||
Azerbaijani | planlaşdırma | ||
The Azerbaijani word "planlaşdırma" derives from the French word "planification", meaning "the action or process of making plans". In addition, "planlaşdırma" can also refer to the process of preparing a plan for an event or project.} | |||
Kazakh | жоспарлау | ||
The word "жоспарлау" not only means "planning" but also "scheme" or "plot" in Kazakh. | |||
Kyrgyz | пландаштыруу | ||
Tajik | банақшагирӣ | ||
The word "банақшагирӣ" can also refer to "plotting" or "scheming" in some contexts. | |||
Turkmen | meýilleşdirmek | ||
Uzbek | rejalashtirish | ||
The word "rejalashtirish" in Uzbek also means "to set a goal" or "to make a plan". | |||
Uyghur | پىلانلاش | ||
Hawaiian | hoʻolālā | ||
The word "hoʻolālā" originated from two words: "hoʻo" (to cause) and "lālā" (to dream), suggesting a process of bringing dreams into reality through careful planning. | |||
Maori | whakamahere | ||
The word "whakamahere" can also mean "to intend, to purpose, or to design". | |||
Samoan | fuafuaina | ||
Fuafuaina is also used to describe someone who is thoughtful, careful, and responsible. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | pagpaplano | ||
Pagpaplano's root word "plano" originated from the Spanish word "plan" in the 16th century, reflecting the historical influence of Spanish colonizers on Tagalog vocabulary. |
Aymara | amtaña | ||
Guarani | planificación rehegua | ||
Esperanto | planado | ||
In Esperanto, “planado” can also refer to the process of leveling out a surface to make it flat or smooth. | |||
Latin | consilio | ||
The word "consilio" also means "meeting" or "assembly". |
Greek | σχεδίαση | ||
In classical Greek, σχεδίαση meant 'drawing', 'sketch'. | |||
Hmong | kev npaj | ||
Kev npaj derives from the root word “npaj”, which means “to prepare” or “to make ready”. | |||
Kurdish | pîlankirinî | ||
The etymology of the word "pîlankirinî" can be traced back to the Old Persian "parikara", meaning "to prepare" or "to arrange". | |||
Turkish | planlama | ||
Turkish "planlama" also means "drawing up a battle plan" or "a drawing or map of a battle plan" in Ottoman Turkish. | |||
Xhosa | ucwangciso | ||
'Ucwango' in Xhosa also means 'the law' or 'the constitution', and 'ciso' means 'to set' or 'to appoint'. The word 'ucwangciso' thus encompasses the ideas of setting the law or constitution, and planning. | |||
Yiddish | פּלאַנירונג | ||
The Yiddish word "פּלאַנירונג" could be derived from the German word "planieren" meaning "to level". | |||
Zulu | ukuhlela | ||
"Ukuhlela" comes from the verb "ukuhlela," meaning "to be in order" or "to be tidy or well-arranged." | |||
Assamese | পৰিকল্পনা কৰা | ||
Aymara | amtaña | ||
Bhojpuri | योजना बनावत बानी | ||
Dhivehi | ޕްލޭނިންގ | ||
Dogri | योजना बनाना | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | pagpaplano | ||
Guarani | planificación rehegua | ||
Ilocano | panagplano | ||
Krio | fɔ plan fɔ du sɔntin | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | پلاندانان | ||
Maithili | योजना बनाबय के काज | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯄ꯭ꯂꯥꯅꯤꯡ ꯇꯧꯕꯥ꯫ | ||
Mizo | ruahmanna siam a ni | ||
Oromo | karoora baasuu | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ଯୋଜନା | ||
Quechua | planificación nisqamanta | ||
Sanskrit | योजना | ||
Tatar | планлаштыру | ||
Tigrinya | ውጥን ምውጻእ እዩ። | ||
Tsonga | ku pulana | ||