Quarterback in different languages

Quarterback in Different Languages

Discover 'Quarterback' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

A quarterback is more than just a football player; they're a leader, a strategist, and a playmaker all in one. Originating from American football, the term 'quarterback' refers to the team member who leads the offense and calls the plays in the huddle. Their significance extends beyond the field, as the quarterback often becomes the face of the franchise and a cultural icon.

From humble beginnings in the late 19th century, the quarterback position has evolved into a complex and crucial role, shaping the way the game is played today. The position's impact transcends borders, making the translation of 'quarterback' in different languages intriguing and relevant for football fans worldwide.

For instance, in Spanish, a quarterback is known as a mariscal de campo. In French, they're called a quarterback, preserving the original English term. In German, the translation is Quarterback, while in Italian, it's quarterback as well. These translations showcase the global reach and influence of American football.

Discover more fascinating translations of 'quarterback' in various languages and learn about the cultural importance of this pivotal position in the world of sports.

Quarterback


Quarterback in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansquarterback
The Afrikaans word "quarterback" is a loanword from English, and it has the same meaning.
Amharicሩብ ዓመት
The word "ሩብ ዓመት" literally means "a quarter of a year" and is also used to refer to a season, period, or quarter.
Hausakwata-kwata
In Hausa, "kwata-kwata" is an alteration of the English word "quarterback".
Igboquarterback
In Igbo, the word 'quarterback' is also used to refer to a general or leader in a team or organization.
Malagasyquarterback
Nyanja (Chichewa)kotala kotala
The word 'kotala kotala' is derived from the Nyanja word 'kotala', meaning 'to throw' or 'to pass'.
Shonaquarterback
In Shona, the word "quarterback" (kwata-bhero) also means "to seize the ball".
Somaliwareeg ah
The word "wareeg ah" is derived from the Arabic root "wrq", meaning "to move around", and the Somali suffix "-ah", which indicates the agent of an action.
Sesothokotara kotara
The word 'kotara kotara' is derived from the verb 'kotara', meaning 'to throw' or 'to pass'.
Swahilirobo ya nyuma
"Robo ya nyuma" literally means "back runner" in Swahili.
Xhosakwikota
The word "kwikota" in Xhosa derives from the expression "ukukhwela ngokota" meaning "to ride on the back of something".
Yorubakotabaki
The word 'kotabaki' is derived from the Yoruba word 'ko' (which means 'run') and 'tabaki' (which means 'to carry').
Zuluikota emuva
"Ikota emuva" can also mean "the one who is left behind" or "the last one" in Zulu.
Bambaraquarterback (kɔlɔsilikɛla).
Ewequarterback ƒe ƒuƒoƒo
Kinyarwandakimwe cya kane
Lingalaquarterback ya quarterback
Lugandaomuteebi wa ‘quarterback’
Sepedimohlabani wa kotara
Twi (Akan)quarterback a ɔbɔ bɔɔl

Quarterback in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicقورتربك
The word "قورتربك" is derived from the English word "quarterback", which refers to a position in American football.
Hebrewקוורטרבק
In Hebrew, "קוורטרבק" also means "quarter turn or twist".
Pashtoڅلورمه برخه
Arabicقورتربك
The word "قورتربك" is derived from the English word "quarterback", which refers to a position in American football.

Quarterback in Western European Languages

Albanianqendërmbrojtës
The term is borrowed from English, where it originally referred to a defensive position in American football but shifted gradually to the offensive position it signifies in Albanian.
Basquequarterback
Quarterback derives from Middle English "quarterbacke," meaning "one who backs up the quarter," i.e., the quartermaster or paymaster, ultimately from Latin "quartus." This is likely due to the quarterback being behind the three other positions of the backfield and because the term "quarterback" originally referred to the quartermaster of a ship or similar supply officer.
Catalanquarterback
The word "quarterback" derives from the position's original role of leading three other players in the backfield, or "quarters".
Croatianbek
Though 'bek' means 'quarterback' in Croatian, it also means 'guard' or 'defender'.
Danishquarterback
In Danish, "quarterback" can also refer to the position of "målmand" in soccer or "center" in basketball.
Dutchquarterback
In Dutch, 'quarterback' can also refer to a player who controls the ball in basketball or handball.
Englishquarterback
The term "quarterback" originated in the 19th century, when teams were divided into four "quarters" with each responsible for a different part of the field.
Frenchstratège
The word "stratège" in French shares its etymology with the Greek word "strategos," meaning "general" or "military leader."
Frisianquarterback
It is a compound composed of
Galicianquarterback
In Galician, "quarterback" translates to "xogador do ataque" (offensive player).
Germanquarterback
Die Position des Quarterbacks wird auch als Spielmacher bezeichnet, da er das Spielgeschehen organisiert und lenkt.
Icelandicbakvörður
"Bak" means back, and "vörður" means defender, guard or watchman.
Irishquarterback
Italianquarterback
The term "quarterback" derives from the position of the player in the 19th century when the field was divided into four quarters.
Luxembourgishquarterback
Maltesequarterback
The etymology of the word "quarterback" in Maltese is uncertain, but it may derive from the term "quarter" meaning "one of four equal parts" or from the term "back" meaning "a person who plays behind the other players on a team".
Norwegianquarterback
Kvartback kommer fra engelsk og betyr egentlig "kaptein over en fjerdedel av et lag"
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)quarterback
No PT-BR, "quarterback" pode ser tanto a posição do jogador no futebol americano quanto o tempo de 15 minutos em uma partida de basquete.
Scots Gaelicquarterback
In Scots Gaelic, the word 'quarterback' is also used to refer to a 'military commander', or a 'herald' or 'messenger'.
Spanishjugador de ataque
The word "quarterback" has its origins in the Latin word "ad quartum", or "in the fourth", referring to the player's position at the start of a play.
Swedishquarterback
"Quarterback" kommer från att de förr var placerade på fältets kvart, det vill säga 25%.
Welshchwarterback
The Welsh word "chwarterbac" comes from the English word "quarterback," but means "fullback" in Welsh.

Quarterback in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianабаронца
The word “абаронца” (“quarterback”) in Belarusian is derived from the word “абарона” (“defense”), implying the quarterback's role in protecting the team from the opposition's offense.
Bosniankvoterbek
The word "kvoterbek" in Bosnian is derived from the English word "quarterback" and retains its original meaning.
Bulgarianкуотърбек
The word "quarterback" originates from the position's traditional place in the offensive formation, which is behind the center and three other offensive linemen.
Czechrozohrávač
The word "rozohrávač" also means "playmaker" in basketball and hockey.
Estoniantagamängija
Derived from “tagataha” (“backfield”) and “mängija” (“player”), but originally “runner” or “pursuer”.
Finnishpelinrakentaja
Pelinrakentaja, a Finnish loanword, originates from Swedish 'spelbyggare', meaning 'play-builder' in English.
Hungarianhátvéd
Hátvéd originated from the Hungarian word for "protector" or "shield defender" due to its position closest to the goal line in soccer.
Latvianaizsargs
"Aizsargs" is derived from a phrase meaning “one who stands behind".
Lithuaniangynėjas
In Lithuanian mythology, "gynėjas" is a type of demon who protects people from evil spirits and other threats.
Macedonianбек
The Macedonian term 'бек' is also the equivalent of the English word 'back'
Polishrozgrywający
The term `rozgrywający` originally referred to a military commander or strategist responsible for developing and executing battle plans.
Romanianfundas
"Fundas" is an alternate spelling of the Romanian word "fundaș," meaning "defender" in soccer
Russianзащитник
The word "защитник" can also mean "defender" or "protector" in Russian.
Serbianквотербек
У српском, реч "квотербек" се односи и на играча америчког фудбала и на финансијског директора у компанији.
Slovakrozohrávač
The Slovak word "rozohrávač" has multiple meanings: "quarterback", "playmaker", "center", and "setter" depending on the context.
Slovenianbranilec
"Branilec" comes from the Slovene word "braniti", meaning "to defend", and originally meant a player's role in defence.
Ukrainianзахисник
The word "захисник" (quarterback) in Ukrainian derives from the verb "захищати" (to defend), and initially referred to a "defender" or "protector" in a military context.

Quarterback in South Asian Languages

Bengaliকোয়ার্টারব্যাক
কোয়ার্টারব্যাক শব্দটি ইংরেজি quarterbacks শব্দের বাংলা রূপান্তর।
Gujaratiક્વાર્ટરબેક
The word 'quarterback' in English is derived from the position of the player in the early days of football, who would often take the snap and run with the ball from the 'quarterback' position, which was located behind the offensive line and in front of the running backs.
Hindiक्वार्टरबैक
The word 'क्वार्टरबैक' also means 'the first of four divisions of a military camp or fort'.
Kannadaಕ್ವಾರ್ಟರ್ಬ್ಯಾಕ್
"クォーターバック"は英語で「quarterback」と書き、フットボールのポジションを表す。
Malayalamക്വാർട്ടർബാക്ക്
In football, the quarterback is the player who receives the ball from the center and calls the plays.
Marathiक्वार्टरबॅक
The term 'quarterback' originally referred to a position in the British Army in the 18th century and had nothing to do with American football.
Nepaliक्वाटरब्याक
The word 'quarterback' comes from the obsolete position of 'quarter back', where a player would protect the punter 'a quarter of the way back' from the line of scrimmage.
Punjabiਕੁਆਰਟਰਬੈਕ
The word quartback does not appear in this language.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)කාර්තුව
The word "කාර්තුව" derives from Portuguese "quarto" (quarter) and "cabo" (chief), originally referring to the captain of a ship's quarter-deck.
Tamilகுவாட்டர்பேக்
Teluguక్వార్టర్బ్యాక్
The word 'quarterback' is derived from the position's original role as running the offense from the first quarter of the game.
Urduکوارٹر بیک
The most famous meaning of quarterback is "quarterback" in American football.

Quarterback in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)四分卫
四分卫一词源于美式足球,指球隊進攻組中帶球推進或傳球進攻的關鍵位置球员。
Chinese (Traditional)四分衛
四分衛源自於美式足球,意指在進攻組四檔進攻中帶領進攻的球員。
Japaneseクォーターバック
The term 'quarterback' is derived from the old practice of dividing the football field into four 'quarters' and assigning each one a quarterback.
Korean쿼터백
쿼터백(quarterback)이란 단어는 쿼터백이 필드의 뒤 편 4분의 1 지점에서 공을 던지던 때를 떠올리게 한다.
Mongolianхамгаалагч
The Mongolian word
Myanmar (Burmese)မြဝတီ
"မြဝတီ" in Burmese is derived from the English word "quarterback" and also means "commander" or "military leader".

Quarterback in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianquarterback
Istilah
Javanesepemain tengah
Pemain tengah means 'quarterback' in Javanese. The literal translation is 'central player.'
Khmerquarterback
"Quarterback" is derived from the military term "quarter," which referred to a group of four soldiers positioned behind the main body of troops.
Laoໄຕມາດ
Malayquarterback
In Malay, the word 'quarterback' is also used as a general term for a leader or person in charge.
Thaiกองหลัง
The term "กองหลัง" is also used to refer to a "defender" in association football.
Vietnamesetiền vệ
The word "tiền vệ" in Vietnamese also refers to a midfielder in soccer and a forward in hockey.
Filipino (Tagalog)quarterback

Quarterback in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanimüdafiəçi
"Müdafiəçi" also means "defender" or "lawyer" in Azerbaijani.
Kazakhквотербек
The word "квотербек" is derived from the English word "quarterback", which originally referred to the position played by the quarterback on a football team.
Kyrgyzquarterback
В русском языке термин «квотербек» появился в XX веке.
Tajikҳимоятгар
Turkmençärýek
Uzbekyarim himoyachi
The word "yarim himoyachi" literally translates to "half defender" in Uzbek, reflecting the quarterback's dual role in both defense and offense.
Uyghurچارەك

Quarterback in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianquarterback
In Hawaiian, the word "quarterback" translates to "hope kuapa" which means "to lead from behind".
Maoriquarterback
In Māori, the word 'quarterback' comes from the words 'kaata' (quarter) and 'puku' (back), referring to the player's position on the field.
Samoanquarterback
The Samoan word "lēmu" can also mean "halfback" or "fullback" in English.
Tagalog (Filipino)quarterback
In Tagalog, the term "quarterback" directly translates to "kuwarterbek," where "kuwarter" means "quarter" and "bek" means "guard" or "watchful one."

Quarterback in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaraukatsti cuarterback satawa
Guaranicuartel-pegua

Quarterback in International Languages

Esperantoricevisto
The Esperanto word "ricevisto" is derived from the Italian word "ricevere", meaning "to receive".
Latinqb
In Latin, "QB" is an abbreviation for "quaternio bonorum", meaning "a set of four good things."

Quarterback in Others Languages

Greekquarterback
The word "quarterback" is derived from the Greek words "tetra" (meaning "four") and "bakos" (meaning "a pole"), referring to the four poles that marked the goal line in ancient Greek athletics.
Hmongpeb hlis ntuj
The word "peb hlis ntuj" in Hmong is derived from the word "peb," meaning "four," and "hlis ntuj," meaning "above the clouds," and represents the player who plays four positions above the other players.
Kurdishçaryek
Çaryek, which means 'quarterback,' also denotes 'a soldier who is a quarter of a horseman,' and is derived from the Persian word 'charak,' meaning 'horseman'
Turkishoyun kurucu
The word 'oyun kurucu' (quarterback) literally translates to 'game director' or 'playmaker' in Turkish, highlighting their role as strategists and leaders on the field.
Xhosakwikota
The word "kwikota" in Xhosa derives from the expression "ukukhwela ngokota" meaning "to ride on the back of something".
Yiddishקוואָרטערבאַק
The Yiddish word "קוואָרטערבאַק" also means "a person who is in charge of a group or organization"
Zuluikota emuva
"Ikota emuva" can also mean "the one who is left behind" or "the last one" in Zulu.
Assameseকোৱাৰ্টাৰবেক
Aymaraukatsti cuarterback satawa
Bhojpuriक्वार्टर बैक के बा
Dhivehiކުއާޓާ ބެކް އެވެ
Dogriक्वार्टर बैक दा
Filipino (Tagalog)quarterback
Guaranicuartel-pegua
Ilocanoquarterback ti quarterback
Kriokwata-bɛk
Kurdish (Sorani)کوارتەرباک
Maithiliक्वार्टर बैक
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯀ꯭ꯕꯥꯇꯔꯕꯦꯛ ꯇꯧꯕꯥ꯫
Mizoquarterback a ni
Oromokuartarbaakii
Odia (Oriya)କ୍ୱାର୍ଟରବ୍ୟାକ୍ |
Quechuakuarterback nisqa
Sanskritक्वार्टर्बैक्
Tatarквартал
Tigrinyaኳዓሳሱ
Tsongamudzaberi wa xipano xa quarterback

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