Updated on March 6, 2024
At its core, a 'publisher' is an individual or entity that brings a work to the public, whether it's a book, newspaper, magazine, or digital content. The role of a publisher is crucial in the world of literature and media, as they not only facilitate the creation and distribution of content but also play a significant role in shaping cultural narratives.
Throughout history, publishers have been instrumental in disseminating knowledge and ideas, from the invention of the printing press in the 15th century to the rise of digital publishing in the 21st century. Publishers have even been known to challenge societal norms and influence cultural movements, making them an important force in shaping our world.
Given the global reach and influence of publishers, it's no wonder that people might be interested in knowing the translations of the word in different languages. Here are a few examples:
Understanding the nuances of this word in different languages can provide valuable insights into the cultural significance of publishing around the world.
Afrikaans | uitgewer | ||
The word “uitgewer” is derived from the Dutch word “uitgever”, which has the same meaning. | |||
Amharic | አሳታሚ | ||
The word "አሳታሚ" in Amharic originally meant "transmitter of knowledge" before it came to mean "publisher". | |||
Hausa | m | ||
In Hausa, "m" is also an abbreviation for "mujalla", meaning "magazine". | |||
Igbo | onye nkwusa | ||
The Igbo word for "publisher", "onye nkwusa", originally meant "one who brings news." | |||
Malagasy | mpitory | ||
The Malagasy word "mpitory" also means "author" or "writer". | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | wofalitsa | ||
Wofalitsa is a Nyanja (Chichewa) noun that can also refer to a printer or a publishing house. | |||
Shona | muparidzi | ||
The word "muparidzi" is derived from the verb "uparidza" which means "to distribute" or "to disperse" and can also refer to a "spreader" or "distributor" of information. | |||
Somali | madbacad | ||
In Somali, 'madbacad' can also refer to a 'press release' or a 'news agency'. | |||
Sesotho | mohoeletsi | ||
The word "mohoeletsi" can also refer to a teacher or an advisor in Sesotho. | |||
Swahili | mchapishaji | ||
'Mchapishaji' derives from the verb 'chapa' meaning 'to print' and also refers to a printing press. | |||
Xhosa | umshicileli | ||
The word "umshicileli" is derived from the verb "shicilela," meaning "to write for" or "to publish." | |||
Yoruba | akede | ||
It also refers to the process of spreading the gospel and teaching or educating others. | |||
Zulu | umshicileli | ||
The word 'umshicileli' in Zulu also refers to a printer or a writer. | |||
Bambara | weleweledala | ||
Ewe | gbeƒãɖela | ||
Kinyarwanda | umwamamaji | ||
Lingala | mosakoli | ||
Luganda | omubuulizi | ||
Sepedi | mogoeledi | ||
Twi (Akan) | ɔdawurubɔfo | ||
Arabic | الناشر | ||
In some contexts, الناشر (publisher) can refer to a newspaper, magazine, or other publication. | |||
Hebrew | מוֹצִיא לָאוֹר | ||
The term "מוֹצִיא לָאוֹר" has multiple literal meanings including "one who brings to light" and "one who brings into the world", reflecting the role of a publisher in making new works accessible to the public. | |||
Pashto | خپرونکی | ||
In Pashto a “publisher” can also be called a "خپرونکی" which literally means a newspaper man. | |||
Arabic | الناشر | ||
In some contexts, الناشر (publisher) can refer to a newspaper, magazine, or other publication. |
Albanian | botues | ||
The word "botues" also means "creator" or "maker" in Albanian. | |||
Basque | argitaratzailea | ||
In addition to its current meaning, argitaratzailea can also refer to an editor or a writer. | |||
Catalan | editor | ||
The Catalan word "editor" (publisher) has no alternate meanings, but comes from the Latin word "editor" (publisher) (which derived from the verb "edere" (to publish)). | |||
Croatian | izdavač | ||
The word 'izdavač' can also refer to a 'publisher' in the sense of 'informant' or 'someone who gives information'. | |||
Danish | forlægger | ||
For the Danish noun 'forlægger' (publisher), the related verb ('at forlægge') in its now-archaic sense means 'misplace' or 'lose something'. | |||
Dutch | uitgever | ||
In Dutch, "uitgever" can also refer to a person who edits or manages a publication. | |||
English | publisher | ||
Originally meant someone who published a work for the author rather than an agent for a newspaper or magazine | |||
French | éditeur | ||
In French, "éditeur" can also mean "editor" or "producer". | |||
Frisian | útjouwer | ||
The Frisian word "útjouwer" is derived from the Dutch word "uitgever", meaning "publisher," but also carries the connotation of "one who brings forth" or "emits." | |||
Galician | editor | ||
"Editor", em galego, pode significar tanto "a pessoa responsável por preparar um texto para publicação" como "a empresa que publica livros". | |||
German | verleger | ||
The word "Verleger" in German, besides meaning "publisher", also historically refers to a person who "lays" something (e.g. books or roads). | |||
Icelandic | útgefandi | ||
The etymology of the word "útgefandi" is rooted in the verbs "útgefa" (to publish) and "útgáfa" (publication), meaning "one who publishes". | |||
Irish | foilsitheoir | ||
The Irish word "Foilsitheoir" can also refer to an editor or a journalist, highlighting the varied roles in the publishing process. | |||
Italian | editore | ||
The word "editore" in Italian can also refer to an editor or a newspaper director. | |||
Luxembourgish | editeur | ||
"Editeur" is also sometimes used in Luxembourgish to refer to a specific type of editor for a newspaper or magazine. | |||
Maltese | pubblikatur | ||
The word "pubblikatur" comes from the Latin word "publicare", meaning "to make public". | |||
Norwegian | forlegger | ||
The word "forlegger" in Norwegian is derived from the Old Norse word "forleggja," meaning "to lay before". This is a reference to the publisher's role in presenting books to the public. | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | editor | ||
Despite its association with publishing, the word "editor" in Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) originally meant "author" or "compiler". | |||
Scots Gaelic | foillsichear | ||
The word "foillsichear" can also refer to an editor, a compiler, or a writer. | |||
Spanish | editor | ||
In Spanish, "editor" can also refer to a person who chooses and assembles material for publication or broadcast. | |||
Swedish | utgivare | ||
"Utgivare" is also a slang word for someone who spreads rumors or gossip. | |||
Welsh | cyhoeddwr | ||
Derived from the 17th century noun "cyhoeddiad" meaning “publication, declaration” |
Belarusian | выдавец | ||
The origin of the word "выдавец" is the same as "выдать" – "to issue". | |||
Bosnian | izdavač | ||
The word "izdavač" is derived from the verb "izdavati", meaning "to issue" or "to publish", and ultimately comes from the Proto-Slavic root *izd- "out". | |||
Bulgarian | издател | ||
The word "издател" can also refer to an editor or a printing house. | |||
Czech | vydavatel | ||
Vydavatel is a derived word from 'vydávat' (to publish or release) - thus, 'vydavatel' can mean both publisher and editor. | |||
Estonian | kirjastaja | ||
The word "kirjastaja" is derived from the Proto-Uralic root "*kirj-/*kirg-/, meaning "to write or draw". | |||
Finnish | kustantaja | ||
The word "kustantaja" also means "financier, subsidizer, supporter" and is derived from the verb "kustantaa" (to pay for) | |||
Hungarian | kiadó | ||
In Hungarian, "kiadó" can also mean "for rent" or "to let", originating from the notion of giving something out for use. | |||
Latvian | izdevējs | ||
The word "izdevējs" in Latvian also has the alternate meaning of "financier" or "provider". | |||
Lithuanian | leidėjas | ||
The Lithuanian word "leidėjas" can also refer to a sponsor, a patron, a donor or a producer. | |||
Macedonian | издавач | ||
The Slavic term "издавач" also means "editor" in Russian, and "publishing house" in Polish. | |||
Polish | wydawca | ||
In 14th and 15th century Poland, "wydawca" referred to one who made payments or handed out wages. | |||
Romanian | editor | ||
In Romanian, "editor" can also refer to a publisher of printed materials. | |||
Russian | издатель | ||
The word "издатель" (publisher) in Russian also means "editor" or "issuer" in English. | |||
Serbian | издавач | ||
The word "Издавач" can also refer to a person or organization that issues or distributes a publication. | |||
Slovak | vydavateľ | ||
The word 'vydavateľ' also refers to someone who issues (a document, statement, etc.) or delivers (a judgment). | |||
Slovenian | založnik | ||
The word 'založnik' derives from 'zalagati', which means 'to supply'. | |||
Ukrainian | видавець | ||
Видавець means "publisher" in Ukrainian and comes from the verb "видавати" ("to publish"), and also means "issuer" or "editor". |
Bengali | প্রকাশক | ||
"প্রকাশ"+"ক" means "to make something public" + "-ক" means "someone who does something", so "প্রকাশক" means "someone who makes something public", but it has come to mean "publisher" in modern Bengali. | |||
Gujarati | પ્રકાશક | ||
Despite meaning 'publisher' in Gujarati, 'પ્રકાશક' (prakāśak) originally meant 'illuminator' in Sanskrit, as it's derived from the verb 'prakāś', which means 'to shine'. | |||
Hindi | प्रकाशक | ||
The Hindi word प्रकाशक (prakaśak) can also refer to an 'enlightener' or a 'revealer' in a philosophical or religious context. | |||
Kannada | ಪ್ರಕಾಶಕರು | ||
It means 'enlightener' in Sanskrit. It is commonly used to refer to a person or company that produces and sells books or periodicals. | |||
Malayalam | പ്രസാധകൻ | ||
The word 'പ്രസാധകൻ' in Malayalam is derived from the Sanskrit word 'प्रकाशक' (prakāśaka) and literally means 'one who brings forth into light' or 'illumines'. It can also refer to a 'revealer', 'expounder', 'author', or a 'teacher'. | |||
Marathi | प्रकाशक | ||
The word “प्रकाशक” also means “illuminator” or “enlightener,” as in the context of spiritual knowledge. | |||
Nepali | प्रकाशक | ||
The word "प्रकाशक" is a loanword adapted from English "Publisher". | |||
Punjabi | ਪ੍ਰਕਾਸ਼ਕ | ||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | ප්රකාශක | ||
The word 'ප්රකාශක' also means 'announcer' or 'declarer' in Sinhala, with roots in the Sanskrit term 'prakāśaka'. | |||
Tamil | பதிப்பகத்தார் | ||
Telugu | ప్రచురణకర్త | ||
Urdu | ناشر | ||
The word "ناشر" "publisher" originated from the Arabic root "نشر" meaning "to spread," "expand," or "disperse." |
Chinese (Simplified) | 发布者 | ||
In Chinese, “publisher” not only means the person or organization that publishes a book or magazine, etc., but also means an official notice issued by a government or organization. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 發布者 | ||
The Chinese word "發布者" can also mean "issuer" or "releaser". | |||
Japanese | 出版社 | ||
The Japanese word "出版社" can also refer to a specific imprint of books published by a particular publishing company. | |||
Korean | 발행자 | ||
"발행자" (publisher) is a compound word combining "발행" (publication) and "-자" (doer), referring to the entity responsible for producing and releasing written or digital content. | |||
Mongolian | хэвлэн нийтлэгч | ||
The word "хэвлэн нийтлэгч" can also refer to a "writer" or "author" in Mongolian. | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | ထုတ်ဝေသူ | ||
Indonesian | penerbit | ||
The word "penerbit" in Indonesian not only means "publisher" but also refers to the act of publishing or a published work. | |||
Javanese | penerbit | ||
In Javanese, "penerbit" also refers to an author, printer, or bookseller. | |||
Khmer | អ្នកបោះពុម្ពផ្សាយ | ||
Lao | ຜູ້ຈັດພິມ | ||
Malay | penerbit | ||
Besides meaning "publisher," "penerbit" in Malay can also refer to a source of something. | |||
Thai | สำนักพิมพ์ | ||
The name "สำนักพิมพ์" is derived from "สำนัก" meaning "office" and "พิมพ์" meaning "print", hence, "office where printing is done". | |||
Vietnamese | nhà xuất bản | ||
The word "nhà xuất bản" (publisher) can also refer to a publishing house or an imprint. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | tagapaglathala | ||
Azerbaijani | naşir | ||
In Arabic, the word "naşir" also means "distributor, spreader, broadcaster, disperser, difuser." | |||
Kazakh | баспагер | ||
The word "баспагер" (publisher) in Kazakh also means "printer" and derives from the verb "басу" (to print). | |||
Kyrgyz | жарыялоочу | ||
"Жаръялоочу" (publisher) originates from the verb "жарьялоо", meaning "to proclaim" or "to declare." | |||
Tajik | ношир | ||
The word "ношир" can also refer to a "newspaper" or "magazine" in Farsi. | |||
Turkmen | neşir ediji | ||
Uzbek | noshir | ||
In the Farsi Persian language, "noshir" means "the joyful one". | |||
Uyghur | نەشرىياتچى | ||
Hawaiian | mea hoʻopuka | ||
Mea hoʻopuka can also mean "something that brings out", such as a new idea or thought. | |||
Maori | kaiwhakaputa | ||
The word “kaiwhakaputa” can also mean “one who lets out” or “one who brings forth” in Maori. | |||
Samoan | lolomi | ||
The term lolomi can also be used more broadly to refer to someone who speaks for or represents another person or group. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | publisher | ||
In Tagalog, "publisher" can also refer to a "book seller" or a "newspaper vendor". |
Aymara | yatiyiri | ||
Guarani | maranduhára | ||
Esperanto | eldonisto | ||
The word "eldonisto" in Esperanto is derived from the root "eldon-", meaning "to publish", and the suffix "-isto", meaning "one who does something". | |||
Latin | publisher | ||
The Latin word "publicanus" had two meanings: "tax collector" and "publisher". |
Greek | εκδότης | ||
The Greek word "εκδότης" can also refer to the editor of a newspaper or magazine. | |||
Hmong | tshaj tawm | ||
The Hmong word "tshaj tawm" also means "to establish" or "to build" something. | |||
Kurdish | çapemend | ||
"Çapemend" (publisher) is etymologically derived from "çapa" (to print), which also refers to "a printing press" or "a printing house". | |||
Turkish | yayımcı | ||
Yayımcı (publisher) also means "something that broadcasts" or "an organization that does broadcasting." | |||
Xhosa | umshicileli | ||
The word "umshicileli" is derived from the verb "shicilela," meaning "to write for" or "to publish." | |||
Yiddish | אַרויסגעבער | ||
The word אַרויסגעבער can also refer to an editor of a book or newspaper. | |||
Zulu | umshicileli | ||
The word 'umshicileli' in Zulu also refers to a printer or a writer. | |||
Assamese | প্ৰকাশক | ||
Aymara | yatiyiri | ||
Bhojpuri | प्रकाशक के ह | ||
Dhivehi | ޕަބްލިޝަރ އެވެ | ||
Dogri | प्रकाशक दा | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | tagapaglathala | ||
Guarani | maranduhára | ||
Ilocano | agibumbunannag | ||
Krio | pɔblisha | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | بڵاوکەرەوە | ||
Maithili | प्रकाशक | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯄꯕ꯭ꯂꯤꯁꯔ ꯑꯣꯏꯈꯤ꯫ | ||
Mizo | thuchhuahtu a ni | ||
Oromo | maxxansaa | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ପ୍ରକାଶକ | ||
Quechua | willakuq | ||
Sanskrit | प्रकाशक | ||
Tatar | нәшер итүче | ||
Tigrinya | ኣሕታሚ | ||
Tsonga | muhuweleri | ||