Pleasure in Different Languages
Discover 'Pleasure' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
Pleasure is a universal human experience, one that transcends language and culture. It signifies enjoyment, gratification, and delight, and is often associated with activities that bring us happiness and contentment. The significance of pleasure cannot be overstated, as it plays a crucial role in our overall well-being and quality of life.
Throughout history, pleasure has been a source of inspiration for artists, writers, and philosophers alike. From the hedonistic pursuits of ancient Greece to the more restrained enjoyments of Victorian England, pleasure has taken on many different forms and meanings across time and place. Yet, despite these differences, the basic human desire for pleasure remains constant.
Understanding the translation of pleasure in different languages can provide valuable insights into the cultural importance of this concept around the world. For example, in Spanish, pleasure is translated as 'placer', while in French, it is 'plaisir'. In German, pleasure is 'Vergnügen', and in Japanese, it is 'たのしみ' (tanoshimi).
By exploring the many different translations of pleasure, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the richness and diversity of human experience. So, join us as we embark on a journey through language and culture, and discover the many different ways that pleasure is expressed and understood around the world.
Pleasure
Pleasure in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | plesier | ||
| The Afrikaans word "plesier" originates from the Dutch phrase "een pleisier doen" meaning "to do a favour". | |||
| Amharic | ደስታ | ||
| "ደስታ" is derived from the verb "ደስ" (to be happy) and can also mean "joy", "delight", or "happiness". | |||
| Hausa | yardar rai | ||
| "Yardar rai" also means "the desire of the heart" (in Hausa). | |||
| Igbo | obi uto | ||
| Igbo 'obi uto' is also used to mean a room where guests are received, which is also known as a "sitting room"} | |||
| Malagasy | fahafinaretana | ||
| Malagasy word 'fahafinaretana' also means 'joy,' 'enjoyment,' and 'happiness'. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | chisangalalo | ||
| Shona | mufaro | ||
| Somali | raaxo | ||
| The word "raaxo" also refers to contentment, satisfaction, and gratification in Somali. | |||
| Sesotho | monyaka | ||
| "Monyaka" in Sesotho also refers to a season or a period of time. | |||
| Swahili | raha | ||
| In Kiyao, the word "raha" means "pain". This is the opposite of what the word means in Swahili. | |||
| Xhosa | uyolo | ||
| The Xhosa word "uyolo" can also refer to a state of contentment or satisfaction. | |||
| Yoruba | igbadun | ||
| Igbadun' also means "being pampered and treated with care and affection." | |||
| Zulu | ubumnandi | ||
| The Zulu word "ubumnandi" is often translated as "pleasure", but it also carries a deeper meaning of "spiritual joy" or "inner satisfaction". | |||
| Bambara | diya | ||
| Ewe | dzidzᴐkpᴐkpᴐ | ||
| Kinyarwanda | umunezero | ||
| Lingala | esengo | ||
| Luganda | essanyu | ||
| Sepedi | boithabišo | ||
| Twi (Akan) | ahosɛpɛ | ||
Pleasure in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | بكل سرور | ||
| Hebrew | הנאה | ||
| The Hebrew word "הנאה" derives from the root "נעם", meaning "sweetness" or "pleasantness", and also denotes "benefit" or "utilization." | |||
| Pashto | خوښی | ||
| The term “خوښی” is etymologically related to the Sanskrit word “hṛṣṭa” (“pleased,” “delighted”), with both terms sharing the Indo-European root *ǵʰers- (“to stir up,” “to excite”). | |||
| Arabic | بكل سرور | ||
Pleasure in Western European Languages
| Albanian | kënaqësi | ||
| The word "kënaqësi" is derived from the Proto-Albanian *kʲan̥kʲás-i and is related to the Ancient Greek word "χαρά" (joy, pleasure). | |||
| Basque | plazera | ||
| The word "plazera" in Basque is derived from the Greek word "hedone" and also means "bliss" or "delight". | |||
| Catalan | plaer | ||
| The etymology of the Catalan word "plaer" is uncertain but could be related to the Latin word "placere" (to please) or the Old French word "plaisir" (pleasure). | |||
| Croatian | zadovoljstvo | ||
| The word 'zadovoljstvo' ('pleasure') is of Slavic origin and also means 'contentment', 'satisfaction', or 'gratification' in the Croatian language. | |||
| Danish | fornøjelse | ||
| The Danish word "fornøjelse" originates from the Old Norse word "fornǫgjan," meaning "to satisfy" or "to content." | |||
| Dutch | genoegen | ||
| Genoegen is a cognate of "genuine" and "genus" and derives from the Latin "genus" meaning "kind". | |||
| English | pleasure | ||
| French | plaisir | ||
| The word 'plaisir' in French can also refer to the 'will or desire' to do something. | |||
| Frisian | nocht | ||
| The word "nocht" in Frisian is derived from the Old Frisian word "nocht", which also meant "night". | |||
| Galician | pracer | ||
| The word "pracer" in Galician comes from the Latin word "placere", meaning "to please". | |||
| German | vergnügen | ||
| The word 'Vergnügen' originally meant 'to move joyfully' and is related to the word 'erfreuen', which means 'to make someone happy' or 'to enjoy'. | |||
| Icelandic | ánægju | ||
| Old Norse "anægja" means the same thing but also can refer to "flattery" and "approval". | |||
| Irish | pléisiúr | ||
| The word 'pléisiúr' is derived from the Latin word 'placere', meaning 'to please'. | |||
| Italian | piacere | ||
| The Italian word "piacere" can also mean "kindness" or "favour", and is closely related to the noun "piazza" (public square), denoting a pleasant place where people can meet and interact. | |||
| Luxembourgish | plëséier | ||
| Maltese | pjaċir | ||
| The Maltese word "pjaċir" derives from the Latin word "placēre," meaning "to please" or "to satisfy." | |||
| Norwegian | glede | ||
| In Old Norse, "glede" could also mean "joy, happiness, cheerfulness." | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | prazer | ||
| The Portuguese word "prazer" is cognate with the Spanish "placer" and the French "plaisir," all derived from the Latin "placere," meaning "to please." | |||
| Scots Gaelic | toileachas | ||
| The Gaelic word "toileachas" also means "company" or "companionship". | |||
| Spanish | placer | ||
| In Spanish, "placer" also refers to a specific geographical location where valuable materials, such as gold or silver, can be found. | |||
| Swedish | nöje | ||
| "Nöje" can also refer to a "show" or an "amusement establishment". | |||
| Welsh | pleser | ||
| The Welsh word "pleser" is derived from the Latin word "placere," meaning "to please". | |||
Pleasure in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | задавальненне | ||
| "задавальненне" ultimately derives from the Old Slavonic word "zadovolьniti", meaning "to satisfy". | |||
| Bosnian | zadovoljstvo | ||
| The word 'zadovoljstvo' in Bosnian is derived from the Old Church Slavonic word 'zadovolьstvьje' meaning 'satisfaction'. | |||
| Bulgarian | удоволствие | ||
| The word "удоволствие" ('pleasure') in Bulgarian is derived from the Old Church Slavonic word "удоволие" ('satisfaction') which in turn is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *udъvoliti ('to satisfy'). The word has alternate meanings of 'amusement' or 'delight' in Bulgarian. | |||
| Czech | potěšení | ||
| In Old Czech, potěšení also meant "satisfaction", especially in a legal context. | |||
| Estonian | nauding | ||
| Nauding is also an archaic verb which means "to enjoy". | |||
| Finnish | ilo | ||
| The word "ilo" also means "air" or "sky" in Finnish, a connection that can be seen in the verb "ilmoittaa" which means "to announce" or "to make known". | |||
| Hungarian | öröm | ||
| The word "öröm" is derived from the Proto-Uralic root word "*ilmu-," which means "joy, happiness." | |||
| Latvian | prieks | ||
| The Latvian word "prieks" is cognate with the Lithuanian word "prakaitas" (sweat), which suggests a possible connection between pleasure and exertion. | |||
| Lithuanian | malonumas | ||
| Malonumas is related to the word 'malda' which means 'favor', 'appeal'. It also relates to the term 'meilė' (love). | |||
| Macedonian | задоволство | ||
| The word "задоволство" also means "contentment" or "satisfaction" in English. | |||
| Polish | przyjemność | ||
| The word «przyjemność» has two meanings — one denoting "pleasure" in English, the other "favor". | |||
| Romanian | plăcere | ||
| "Plăcere" may also refer to "liking" a Facebook post. | |||
| Russian | удовольствие | ||
| The root of the word ""удовольствие"" means ""to satisfy"" and is shared with the word ""воля"" (""will""). | |||
| Serbian | задовољство | ||
| The Serbian word "задовољство" also means "satisfaction" or "contentment" | |||
| Slovak | potešenie | ||
| The word "potešenie" derives from the Proto-Slavic word "potesiti", meaning "to console" or "to comfort". | |||
| Slovenian | užitek | ||
| The Slavic root of "užitek" also conveys "profit" and "harvest". | |||
| Ukrainian | задоволення | ||
| The Ukrainian word "задоволення" can also mean "satisfaction" or "contentment". | |||
Pleasure in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | আনন্দ | ||
| The word "আনন্দ" is derived from the Sanskrit word "ananda", meaning "bliss". | |||
| Gujarati | આનંદ | ||
| The Gujarati word 'आनंद' ('aanand'), akin to Sanskrit, connotes not just 'pleasure,' but also 'bliss,' 'joy,' 'contentment,' and a state of 'tranquility.' | |||
| Hindi | अभिराम | ||
| The name 'अभिराम' (Abhiram) is also used as a male given name in India. | |||
| Kannada | ಸಂತೋಷ | ||
| The word 'ಸಂತೋಷ' in Kannada is derived from the Sanskrit word 'संतोष' which means 'contentment' or 'satisfaction'. | |||
| Malayalam | ആനന്ദം | ||
| "ആനന്ദം" can also mean "great happiness" or "bliss". | |||
| Marathi | आनंद | ||
| "आनंद" शब्द "अन्" (भोजन) से लिया गया है और इसका शाब्दिक अर्थ "पोषण" है। | |||
| Nepali | खुशी | ||
| The word "खुशी" can also refer to "happiness" or "joy" in Nepali. | |||
| Punjabi | ਖੁਸ਼ੀ | ||
| The term "ਖੁਸ਼ੀ" derives from the Sanskrit word "Kshi" signifying "dwelling" or "abode" and implies joy, happiness, and prosperity. | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | සතුට | ||
| The word 'සතුට' ('pleasure') in Sinhala also means 'contentment' or 'satisfaction'. | |||
| Tamil | இன்பம் | ||
| The term "இன்பம்" can refer to a range of emotions from a momentary surge of happiness to enduring bliss or fulfillment. | |||
| Telugu | ఆనందం | ||
| The word 'ആనന്ദം' translates to both 'pleasure' and 'happiness' and derives from the Vedic Sanskrit word 'ananda', which literally means 'without lack'. | |||
| Urdu | خوشی | ||
| The word "خوشی" in Urdu can also mean "happiness" or "joy." | |||
Pleasure in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 乐趣 | ||
| 乐趣 (乐趣) refers to interesting and enjoyable activities or experiences, but its original meaning was related to music and entertainment. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 樂趣 | ||
| 樂趣 can also mean "enjoyment" or "fun". | |||
| Japanese | 喜び | ||
| The word 喜び (喜び) has also been used to describe the "satisfaction" derived from fulfilling one's duties or obligations. | |||
| Korean | 낙 | ||
| "낙" (pleasure) derives from Middle Chinese "ngak" (to be happy), and also means "paradise" in Korean Buddhism. | |||
| Mongolian | таашаал | ||
| "Таашаал" derives from the Mongolian word "тааш" meaning "to know". Thus, the literal translation of the word "таашаал" is "that which leads to knowledge". | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | ပျော်စရာ | ||
Pleasure in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | kesenangan | ||
| "Kesenangan" derives from the Sanskrit words "ksana" (moment) and "anga" (limb), and can also mean "a small bit" | |||
| Javanese | kesenengan | ||
| `Kesengganan` can also mean `favorite` in its use by native Javanese speakers. | |||
| Khmer | រីករាយ | ||
| The word រីករាយ can also refer to feelings of contentment, happiness, or joy. | |||
| Lao | ຄວາມສຸກ | ||
| Malay | keseronokan | ||
| Keseronokan is also used to imply a state of being free from worry, trouble, or pain. | |||
| Thai | ความสุข | ||
| The Thai word "ความสุข" (khawaasook) also has the additional meaning of "happiness" and is derived from the Sanskrit word "sukha" (สุข), which means "well-being" or "ease". | |||
| Vietnamese | vui lòng | ||
| Vui lòng is also used as a polite way to ask for something, such as "vui lòng giúp tôi." | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | kasiyahan | ||
Pleasure in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | zovq | ||
| In Old Azerbaijani, the word "zovq" meant "sense" or "perception." | |||
| Kazakh | рахат | ||
| The word "рахат" has an alternate meaning, "relief". | |||
| Kyrgyz | ырахат | ||
| Ырахат is also used to denote 'peace', 'freedom from worry', or 'inner tranquility'. | |||
| Tajik | лаззат | ||
| The word "laz(z)at" can also mean 'charm', and is related to Tajik verb "lazzat kardan", i.e. 'to enjoy' | |||
| Turkmen | lezzet | ||
| Uzbek | zavq | ||
| Derived from Persian, "zavq" can also mean "taste," or "enjoyment of a particular kind of activity." | |||
| Uyghur | خۇشاللىق | ||
Pleasure in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | leʻaleʻa | ||
| The word "leʻaleʻa" in Hawaiian can also refer to "amusement" or "mirth". | |||
| Maori | harikoa | ||
| Harikoa also means "reward" or "gain." | |||
| Samoan | fiafiaga | ||
| In addition to meaning "pleasure," fiafiaga also means "fun," "sport," and "recreation" | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | kasiyahan | ||
| Kasiyahan also means 'satisfaction,' 'happiness,' or 'contentment' in Tagalog. | |||
Pleasure in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | plasira | ||
| Guarani | mbovy'aha | ||
Pleasure in International Languages
| Esperanto | plezuro | ||
| Latin | voluptatem | ||
Pleasure in Others Languages
| Greek | ευχαρίστηση | ||
| The Greek word "ευχαρίστηση" (eucharistēsis) originally meant "gratitude" or "thanksgiving". | |||
| Hmong | kev zoo siab | ||
| The term derives from the Chinese phrase 'gao xing' meaning 'happiness', 'delight', or 'joy'. | |||
| Kurdish | şahî | ||
| The word "şahî" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *seh₂-, meaning "to be satiated" or "to enjoy" | |||
| Turkish | zevk | ||
| Zevk in Turkish also refers to taste, relish, or the sense of enjoying something. | |||
| Xhosa | uyolo | ||
| The Xhosa word "uyolo" can also refer to a state of contentment or satisfaction. | |||
| Yiddish | פאַרגעניגן | ||
| The Yiddish word פאַרגעניגן derives from the German word "vergönnen" which has the meanings "to allow", "to permit", or "to grant." | |||
| Zulu | ubumnandi | ||
| The Zulu word "ubumnandi" is often translated as "pleasure", but it also carries a deeper meaning of "spiritual joy" or "inner satisfaction". | |||
| Assamese | সুখ | ||
| Aymara | plasira | ||
| Bhojpuri | मजा | ||
| Dhivehi | ޝަރަފް | ||
| Dogri | नंद | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | kasiyahan | ||
| Guarani | mbovy'aha | ||
| Ilocano | ayo | ||
| Krio | ɛnjɔy | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | خۆشی | ||
| Maithili | खुशी | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯅꯨꯡꯉꯥꯏꯕ ꯐꯪꯕ | ||
| Mizo | nuam | ||
| Oromo | gammachuu | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ଆନନ୍ଦ | ||
| Quechua | kusikuy | ||
| Sanskrit | आनन्दः | ||
| Tatar | ләззәт | ||
| Tigrinya | ሓጎስ | ||
| Tsonga | nkateko | ||