Updated on March 6, 2024
A psychologist is a professional who studies the mind and behavior. They use their expertise to help people understand, explain, and manage their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. The significance of psychologists cannot be overstated, as they play a crucial role in promoting mental health and well-being in individuals, families, and communities.
Psychologists have a rich cultural importance across the globe. In many societies, they are revered as experts who can help people navigate the complexities of the human mind. From ancient philosophers to modern-day practitioners, psychologists have been at the forefront of understanding human behavior and developing strategies to improve it.
Understanding the translation of the word 'psychologist' in different languages can provide insight into how different cultures view and value this profession. For example, in Spanish, a psychologist is called 'un psicólogo,' while in German, it's 'ein Psychologe.' In French, the term is 'un psychologue,' and in Japanese, it's 'サイコロジスト (saikorojisuto).'
By learning these translations, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural significance of psychologists and the important work they do around the world.
Afrikaans | sielkundige | ||
The Afrikaans word "sielkundige" is derived from the Dutch word "zielkundige", which means "psychologist" or "person who studies the soul". | |||
Amharic | የሥነ ልቦና ባለሙያ | ||
The word "psychologist" comes from the Greek words "psyche" (soul) and "logos" (study), and can also refer to a person who studies the mind and behavior. | |||
Hausa | mai ilimin halin ɗan adam | ||
In Hausa, Mai ilimin halin ɗan adam is literally translated as "owner of the knowledge of the nature of a human". | |||
Igbo | ọkà n'akparamàgwà mmadụ | ||
Malagasy | psikology | ||
The Malagasy word "psikology" is derived from the French word "psychologie", which in turn comes from the Greek word "ψυχή" (psychê), meaning "soul, mind, breath" and "λόγος" (lógos), meaning "word, reason, discourse". | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | katswiri wamaganizidwe | ||
Katswiri wamaganizidwe is derived from the words katsi (cut), wiri (string) and maganizo (thoughts), implying one who cuts the strings of thoughts. | |||
Shona | chiremba wepfungwa | ||
Somali | cilmu-nafsiga | ||
The word "cilmi-nafsiga" can also refer to the field of psychology or the study of the human mind. | |||
Sesotho | setsebi sa kelello | ||
The word "setsebi sa kelello" literally translates to "one who fixes the mind". | |||
Swahili | mwanasaikolojia | ||
Mwanasaikolojia can also refer to a psychiatrist or a psychotherapist. | |||
Xhosa | ugqirha wengqondo | ||
The word "uqirha wengqondo" is derived from the Xhosa words "qirha" (a traditional healer) and "ngqondo" (mind or intellect). | |||
Yoruba | saikolojisiti | ||
Saikolojisiti also translates to "mind healer" in Yoruba. | |||
Zulu | isazi sokusebenza kwengqondo | ||
Bambara | hakililabaarakɛla | ||
Ewe | susuŋutinunyala | ||
Kinyarwanda | psychologue | ||
Lingala | moto ya mayele na makambo ya makanisi | ||
Luganda | omukugu mu by’empisa | ||
Sepedi | setsebi sa tša monagano | ||
Twi (Akan) | adwene ne nneyɛe ho ɔbenfo | ||
Arabic | الطبيب النفسي | ||
The word "الطبيب النفسي" can also refer to a "psychiatrist" in Arabic. | |||
Hebrew | פְּסִיכוֹלוֹג | ||
In Hebrew, "פְּסִיכוֹלוֹג" also translates to "psychic" or "magician". | |||
Pashto | ارواپوه | ||
The word "ارواپوه" also refers to a person who reads fortunes from the stars. | |||
Arabic | الطبيب النفسي | ||
The word "الطبيب النفسي" can also refer to a "psychiatrist" in Arabic. |
Albanian | psikolog | ||
In Albanian, "psikolog" also refers to a person trained in the art of reading palms. | |||
Basque | psikologoa | ||
"Psikologoa" is formed from Greek elements and literally means "the study of psyche". | |||
Catalan | psicòleg | ||
El término "psicòleg" en catalán deriva del griego "ψυχή" (psique, "alma, mente") y "λόγος" (lógos, "palabra, razón"), lo que sugiere un enfoque en el estudio de la mente y el comportamiento. | |||
Croatian | psiholog | ||
The Croatian word "psiholog" is derived from the Greek words "psyche" (soul) and "logos" (word, study), and it refers to a person who studies the mind and behavior of individuals and groups. | |||
Danish | psykolog | ||
The Danish word "psykolog" can also mean "psycho" as its root is the ancient Greek word "psykhe," meaning "mind, soul, breath." | |||
Dutch | psycholoog | ||
The word "psycholoog" derives from the Greek words "psychê" (soul) and "lógos" (discourse or study). | |||
English | psychologist | ||
The word "psychologist" derives from the Greek "psykhē" meaning "soul" and "logos" meaning "word" or "reason". | |||
French | psychologue | ||
The French word "psychologue" derives from the Greek root "psyché" (soul) and the suffix "-logue" (speaker), indicating a profound understanding of the human mind. | |||
Frisian | psycholooch | ||
The Frisian word 'psycholooch' is a compound of 'psycho' meaning 'mind' and 'looch' meaning 'expert'. | |||
Galician | psicólogo | ||
Psicólogo also means 'psychic' in Galician, possibly from the Greek 'psyché' meaning 'soul' and 'logos' meaning 'study' or 'word'. | |||
German | psychologe | ||
The German word "Psychologe" is derived from the Greek words "psyche" (soul) and "logos" (word, reason), meaning "one who studies the soul". | |||
Icelandic | sálfræðingur | ||
"Sálfræðingur" is derived from the Greek words "psykhê" (soul, mind) and "lógos" (word, reason), and can also refer to a psychiatrist. | |||
Irish | síceolaí | ||
Italian | psicologo | ||
The Italian word "psicologo" is derived from the Greek terms "psyche" (soul) and "logos" (word, speech, or reason). | |||
Luxembourgish | psycholog | ||
The Luxembourgish word "Psycholog" can also refer to a person who is overly concerned with their own appearance or behavior. | |||
Maltese | psikologu | ||
The word “psikologu” in Maltese originates from the Greek word “ψυχολόγος” (psukhologos) and its root “ψυχή” (psukhe) meaning “soul,” “mind,” or “spirit.” | |||
Norwegian | psykolog | ||
In Norwegian, the word "psykolog" can also refer to a person who has a degree in psychology, but does not work as a practicing psychologist, such as a researcher or teacher. | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | psicólogo | ||
In Portuguese, psicólogo derives from the Greek word "psykhē" (soul) and can mean either "psychologist" or "teacher". | |||
Scots Gaelic | eòlaiche-inntinn | ||
Spanish | psicólogo | ||
Psicólogo is derived from the Greek word 'psykhe,' meaning 'soul,' and 'logos,' meaning 'study,' so it literally translates to 'study of the soul.' | |||
Swedish | psykolog | ||
The Swedish word "psykolog" also means "psychic" in English. | |||
Welsh | seicolegydd | ||
In Welsh, 'seicolegydd' can also mean 'soul-doctor' ('medecin d'âmes'), with 'seicoleg' being both 'psychology' and 'psychism'. |
Belarusian | псіхолаг | ||
The word "псіхолаг" (psychologist) in Belarusian originates from the Greek word "ψυχή" (psyche), meaning "soul" or "mind", and the suffix "-лог" (-logos), meaning "study". Therefore, "псіхолаг" literally means "one who studies the mind or soul". In addition to its primary meaning, the word "псіхолаг" can also refer to a person who provides psychological counseling or therapy. | |||
Bosnian | psiholog | ||
The word 'psiholog' comes from the Greek words 'psyche' (mind) and 'logos' (study), and refers to the study of the mind and behaviour. | |||
Bulgarian | психолог | ||
The Bulgarian word "психолог" also means "mentalist" and comes from the Greek words "psyche" (soul) and "logos" (word, speech). | |||
Czech | psycholog | ||
The word "psycholog" in Czech also has the alternate meaning of "a person who likes dogs" | |||
Estonian | psühholoog | ||
The word "psühholoog" is derived from the Greek words "psyche" and "logos", meaning "soul" and "knowledge" respectively. | |||
Finnish | psykologi | ||
The Finnish word "psykologi" also refers to the academic field of psychology. | |||
Hungarian | pszichológus | ||
The Hungarian word "pszichológus" is a loanword from the Greek "ψυχή" (psukhē, "soul, spirit") and "λόγος" (lógos, "word, discourse"), and thus literally means "one who speaks about the soul or spirit." | |||
Latvian | psihologs | ||
In Latvian, "psihologs" also denotes a specialist in psychology who has not obtained higher education. | |||
Lithuanian | psichologas | ||
The word "psichologas" comes from the Greek word "psukhē" meaning "soul" or "mind" and the suffix "-logos" meaning "study of". | |||
Macedonian | психолог | ||
Психолог (psiholog) means “soul-speaker” in Ancient Greek and also refers to a person who studies the human soul. | |||
Polish | psycholog | ||
In Polish, psycholog has an alternate meaning of "a person who reads minds". | |||
Romanian | psiholog | ||
In Romanian, "psiholog" also means "mind reader" and derives from Ancient Greek "psukhê" (soul) and "logos" (word). | |||
Russian | психолог | ||
The word "психолог" can also mean "psychic" or "medium" in Russian. | |||
Serbian | психолог | ||
The word "психолог" can also mean "soul researcher" in Serbian. | |||
Slovak | psychológ | ||
The word "psychológ" also means "spirit" or "mind" in Slovak. | |||
Slovenian | psihologinja | ||
The word 'psihologinja' originated from the Greek root 'psyche' meaning 'soul' or 'mind'. | |||
Ukrainian | психолог | ||
The word "психолог" (psychologist) comes from the Greek word "psyche", meaning "soul", and "logos", meaning "word" or "reason". |
Bengali | মনোবিজ্ঞানী | ||
'মনোবিজ্ঞানী'-র অর্থ, মনের বিষয়ে অধ্যয়নকারী একজন ব্যক্তি। এটি 'মনোবিজ্ঞান'-এর একটি বিকল্প শব্দও হতে পারে, যার অর্থ মনের কাজ এবং প্রকৃতির অধ্যায়ন। | |||
Gujarati | મનોવિજ્ .ાની | ||
The term "મનોવિજ્ .ાની" is derived from the Greek words "psyche" (mind) and "logos" (study), and can also refer to a person who studies or practices psychology. | |||
Hindi | मनोविज्ञानी | ||
The word "मनोविज्ञानी" comes from the Greek words "psyche" (soul) and "logos" (word, study), referring to the study of the mind and behavior. | |||
Kannada | ಮನಶ್ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಜ್ಞ | ||
The term "ಮನಶ್ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರಜ್ಞ" is derived from the Greek words "psyche" and "logos," meaning "mind" and "study," denoting the study of the human mind and its functions. | |||
Malayalam | സൈക്കോളജിസ്റ്റ് | ||
The name 'psychology' comes from the Greek 'psych' which means breath, soul and intelligence and 'logy' which stands for study. | |||
Marathi | मानसशास्त्रज्ञ | ||
The word "मानसशास्त्रज्ञ" (psychologist) derives from the Sanskrit words "मानस" (mind) and "शास्त्र" (science). | |||
Nepali | मनोवैज्ञानिक | ||
मनोवैज्ञानिक शब्द को संस्कृत शब्द "मन" (मन) और "विज्ञान" (विज्ञान) से लिया गया है। | |||
Punjabi | ਮਨੋਵਿਗਿਆਨੀ | ||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | මනෝ විද්යා ologist | ||
මනෝ විද්යා is derived from two words 'mana' (mind) and 'vidya' (knowledge), and thus literally means 'knowledge of mind'. | |||
Tamil | உளவியலாளர் | ||
The word "உளவியலாளர்" derives from the Greek roots "psychê" (mind) and "lógos" (study), and also refers to a person who specializes in the study of the mind and behavior. | |||
Telugu | మనస్తత్వవేత్త | ||
In Sanskrit, "manastattvavetta" also refers to a wise person who understands the secrets of the mind. | |||
Urdu | ماہر نفسیات | ||
The word "ماہر نفسیات" is derived from the Greek words "psyche" (soul) and "logos" (word or discourse), and can also mean "soul doctor" or "expert in the soul". |
Chinese (Simplified) | 心理学家 | ||
"心理学家" (xīnlǐxuéjiā) is a compound word composed of "心理" (xīnlǐ), meaning "psychology," and "学家" (xuéjiā), meaning "scholar". It refers to a person who studies the mind and behavior. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 心理學家 | ||
心理學家一詞源自希臘語,在不同語境下可以指心理學家、精神病學家或靈魂學家。 | |||
Japanese | 心理学者 | ||
In Japanese, 心理学者 (shinrigakusha) can also refer to someone who studies psychology, rather than just a practicing psychologist. | |||
Korean | 심리학자 | ||
The word '심리학자' in Korean is derived from the Greek words 'psyche' meaning 'soul' and 'logos' meaning 'study'. | |||
Mongolian | сэтгэл зүйч | ||
Сэтгэл зүйч (Mongolian for "psychologist") has alternate meanings as "soul guide" and "mind doctor". | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | စိတ်ပညာရှင် | ||
Indonesian | psikolog | ||
The word "psikolog" in Indonesian can also refer to a person who practices traditional medicine or spiritual healing. | |||
Javanese | psikolog | ||
In Javanese, 'psikolog' also refers to someone who studies the behavior of supernatural beings. | |||
Khmer | ចិត្តវិទូ | ||
Lao | ນັກຈິດຕະສາດ | ||
Malay | ahli psikologi | ||
In Malay, the word "ahli psikologi" directly translates to "expert in the mind". | |||
Thai | นักจิตวิทยา | ||
The word "นักจิตวิทยา" in Thai also refers to someone who studies the human mind and behavior, but it specifically encompasses the field of psychiatry. | |||
Vietnamese | nhà tâm lý học | ||
The word "nhà tâm lý học" is the Vietnamese equivalent of the English word "psychologist", but it can also be used to refer to a psychiatrist or psychotherapist. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | psychologist | ||
Azerbaijani | psixoloq | ||
The word "psixoloq" in Azerbaijani originates from the Greek words "psyche" (soul) and "logos" (study), implying the study of the mind. | |||
Kazakh | психолог | ||
The word "психолог" derives from the Greek word "psyche", meaning "soul" or "mind". | |||
Kyrgyz | психолог | ||
The word “психолог” also means “psychic” in Kyrgyz. | |||
Tajik | равоншинос | ||
The word "равоншинос" is derived from the Persian word "روانشناس", which itself is a compound of "روان" (soul) and "شناس" (expert). | |||
Turkmen | psiholog | ||
Uzbek | psixolog | ||
Uyghur | پىسخولوگ | ||
Hawaiian | mea kālaimeaola | ||
The word "mea kālaimeaola" can also mean "physician" or "medical doctor". | |||
Maori | kaimātai hinengaro | ||
The term "hinengaro" in "kaimātai hinengaro," meaning "psychologist" in Māori, signifies the "thoughtful mind" responsible for directing a person's behaviour and health. | |||
Samoan | mafaufau | ||
The word mafaufau comes from the Samoan verb mafaufau, meaning to think or contemplate. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | psychologist | ||
The Tagalog word for "psychologist" can also mean "psychiatrist". |
Aymara | psicólogo ukhamawa | ||
Guarani | psicólogo | ||
Esperanto | psikologo | ||
"Psikologo" is derived from Greek "ψυχή" (psyche), "soul, mind" + "-λόγος" (-logos), "speech, study, -ology". | |||
Latin | psychologist | ||
The Latin word "psychologus" means "one who studies the soul" or "a philosopher". |
Greek | ψυχολόγος | ||
In ancient Greek, "ψυχολόγος" referred to students of philosophy or metaphysics. | |||
Hmong | tus kws npliag siab | ||
The word "tus kws npliag siab" literally translates to "person who studies the mind". | |||
Kurdish | psîkolog | ||
The word "psîkolog" can also mean "psychiatrist" or "psychotherapist" in Kurdish. | |||
Turkish | psikolog | ||
The Turkish word "psikolog" originates from the Greek word "psyche" (soul, mind) and "logos" (study). | |||
Xhosa | ugqirha wengqondo | ||
The word "uqirha wengqondo" is derived from the Xhosa words "qirha" (a traditional healer) and "ngqondo" (mind or intellect). | |||
Yiddish | סייקאַלאַדזשאַסט | ||
The Yiddish word "סייקאַלאַדזשאַסט" is derived from the Greek words "psyche" (soul) and "logos" (study). | |||
Zulu | isazi sokusebenza kwengqondo | ||
Assamese | মনোবিজ্ঞানী | ||
Aymara | psicólogo ukhamawa | ||
Bhojpuri | मनोवैज्ञानिक के नाम से जानल जाला | ||
Dhivehi | ސައިކޮލޮޖިސްޓެއް | ||
Dogri | मनोवैज्ञानिक | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | psychologist | ||
Guarani | psicólogo | ||
Ilocano | sikologo | ||
Krio | saikɔlɔjis | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | دەروونناس | ||
Maithili | मनोवैज्ञानिक | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯁꯥꯏꯀꯣꯂꯣꯖꯤꯁ꯭ꯠ ꯑꯣꯏꯅꯥ ꯊꯕꯛ ꯇꯧꯔꯤ꯫ | ||
Mizo | rilru lam thiam a ni | ||
Oromo | ogeessa xiin-sammuu | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ମନୋବିଜ୍ଞାନୀ | | ||
Quechua | psicólogo | ||
Sanskrit | मनोवैज्ञानिक | ||
Tatar | психолог | ||
Tigrinya | ስነ-ኣእምሮኣዊ ክኢላ | ||
Tsonga | mutivi wa mianakanyo | ||