Recognition in Different Languages
Discover 'Recognition' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
Recognition is a powerful word that carries significant meaning across cultures and languages. It refers to the act of identifying or acknowledging someone or something, giving credit where it is due, or being aware of someone's achievements or abilities. The importance of recognition cannot be overstated, as it can boost self-esteem, strengthen relationships, and foster a sense of community.
Throughout history, recognition has played a crucial role in various cultural contexts. For instance, in ancient Greece, public recognition was often given to those who made significant contributions to society. Similarly, in many African cultures, elders are granted recognition for their wisdom and experience.
Understanding the translation of recognition in different languages can help us appreciate the nuances of this concept in various cultural contexts. Here are a few examples:
- Spanish: reconocimiento
- French: reconnaissance
- German: Anerkennung
- Mandarin: 认识 (rèn shí)
- Japanese: 認識 (ninshiki)
Stay tuned for more translations of recognition in different languages, as we continue to explore the cultural significance of this important concept.
Recognition
Recognition in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | erkenning | ||
| Afrikaans 'erkenning' likely derives from the Low German word 'erkennen'. | |||
| Amharic | እውቅና | ||
| The word "እውቅና" (recognition) also means "fame" or "reputation" in Amharic. | |||
| Hausa | fitarwa | ||
| The Hausa word "fitarwa" is derived from the Arabic word "fitrah", which means "innate nature" or "instinct". | |||
| Igbo | mmata | ||
| The word "mmata" in Igbo has additional meanings of "acknowledgment" and "appreciation". | |||
| Malagasy | fankatoavana | ||
| The Malagasy word "fankatoavana" originates from the verb "kato" meaning "to see" and the prefix "fa-" indicating a causative action, implying recognition as an act of making someone see or acknowledge. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | kuzindikira | ||
| "Kuzindikira" is a Nyanja word that also means "to look for" or "to search for". | |||
| Shona | kucherechedzwa | ||
| The word "kucherechedzwa" in Shona can also mean "to be respected" or "to be acknowledged". | |||
| Somali | aqoonsi | ||
| In Somali, "aqoonsi" may also refer to the process of acknowledging or understanding something. | |||
| Sesotho | kananelo | ||
| "Kananelo" is the Sesotho word for "recognition", and it can also be used to refer to a "thank you" gift. | |||
| Swahili | utambuzi | ||
| From the root -tambua, also meaning 'to know', 'to comprehend', 'to realize' | |||
| Xhosa | ukwamkelwa | ||
| The Xhosa word "ukwamkelwa" is thought to be derived from the verb "amkela", meaning "to receive" or "to accept", and the noun "umkhosi", meaning "gathering" or "meeting". | |||
| Yoruba | idanimọ | ||
| Idanimọ is an intrinsic Yoruba word with no alternate meaning. | |||
| Zulu | ukuqashelwa | ||
| 'Ukuqashelwa' also refers to a custom of acknowledging a new in-law and welcoming them into the family. | |||
| Bambara | boɲamasegin | ||
| Ewe | dzesidede | ||
| Kinyarwanda | kumenyekana | ||
| Lingala | kondima | ||
| Luganda | okutegeera | ||
| Sepedi | temogo | ||
| Twi (Akan) | gye to mu | ||
Recognition in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | التعرف على | ||
| "التعرف على" also means "identification" or "identification of" or "to identify" depending on the context. | |||
| Hebrew | הַכָּרָה | ||
| The word הכרה in Hebrew can also mean consciousness or awareness | |||
| Pashto | پیژندنه | ||
| The word "پیژندنه" can also mean "acknowledgement" or "identification" in Pashto. | |||
| Arabic | التعرف على | ||
| "التعرف على" also means "identification" or "identification of" or "to identify" depending on the context. | |||
Recognition in Western European Languages
| Albanian | njohja | ||
| In Albanian, the word "njohja" can also mean "acquaintance" or "recognition as a legal entity". | |||
| Basque | aitortza | ||
| The word "aitortza" can also refer to an "admission". | |||
| Catalan | reconeixement | ||
| "Reconeixement" derives from the Latin "recognitio," meaning knowledge or acknowledgment. | |||
| Croatian | priznanje | ||
| The word 'priznanje' in Croatian can also mean 'confession' or 'admission'. | |||
| Danish | anerkendelse | ||
| The Danish word "anerkendelse" originates from the German word "Anerkennung" and also means "acknowledgment" and "appreciation". | |||
| Dutch | herkenning | ||
| **Herkenning** is derived from the Middle Dutch **herkennen** and ultimately stems from the Proto-Germanic **rekwaną**, meaning "to acquire, to obtain". | |||
| English | recognition | ||
| Recognition also refers to signs of respect or acknowledgment shown to someone. | |||
| French | reconnaissance | ||
| In French, 'reconnaissance' can also mean 'gratitude' and is written with an 's'. | |||
| Frisian | erkenning | ||
| Erkenning is rooted in the late Middle Low German word erkannisse, meaning "recognition", and the Old Norse word yrkja, meaning "to work". | |||
| Galician | recoñecemento | ||
| No Galician, "recoñecemento" also means "confession" or "acknowledgement". | |||
| German | anerkennung | ||
| The German word "Anerkennung" derives from "erkennen", meaning "to acknowledge", and also relates to "erkennen" in the sense of "to become aware of" or "to perceive". | |||
| Icelandic | viðurkenning | ||
| The word "viðurkenning" also means "confession" or "admission" in Icelandic. | |||
| Irish | aitheantas | ||
| "Aitheantas" also means "appearance, aspect, looks, form, sight". | |||
| Italian | riconoscimento | ||
| The Italian word "riconoscimento" also means "acknowledgment" or "appreciation." | |||
| Luxembourgish | unerkennung | ||
| Maltese | rikonoxximent | ||
| The Maltese word "rikonoxximent" is derived from the Italian word "riconoscimento" and is also used to refer to a fee paid to a doctor, lawyer, or other professional. | |||
| Norwegian | anerkjennelse | ||
| The word "Anerkjennelse" is thought to be derived from the German word "Anerkennung", meaning "recognition", which in turn comes from the Latin word "recognosco", meaning "to acknowledge". | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | reconhecimento | ||
| In Latin, it means "a second knowing". | |||
| Scots Gaelic | aithneachadh | ||
| Spanish | reconocimiento | ||
| The Spanish word 'reconocimiento' derives from the Latin 'recognoscere', meaning 'to know again' and has the alternate meaning of 'medical examination'. | |||
| Swedish | erkännande | ||
| From the verb 'känna', meaning 'to feel' or 'to know'. | |||
| Welsh | cydnabyddiaeth | ||
Recognition in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | прызнанне | ||
| In the context of a court, "прызнанне" can mean 'plea' or 'confession'. | |||
| Bosnian | prepoznavanje | ||
| Prepoznavanje is derived from the Slavic word "prepoznati" which also means "identification". | |||
| Bulgarian | разпознаване | ||
| The word "разпознаване" can also refer to a type of software used for facial or object recognition. | |||
| Czech | uznání | ||
| "Uznání" is also used colloquially for "confession" or "admission". | |||
| Estonian | tunnustamine | ||
| The verb “tunnustama” can also mean to confess or admit something. | |||
| Finnish | tunnustamista | ||
| In the Finnish language, recognition can also mean a sign or symbol that signifies a person or group's status, identity, or achievements. | |||
| Hungarian | elismerés | ||
| In Hungarian, "elismerés" can also refer to a form of legal recognition or acknowledgement of a person's status or rights. | |||
| Latvian | atzīšana | ||
| "atzīšana" also means "acceptance" or "approval" in Latvian. | |||
| Lithuanian | pripažinimas | ||
| The word "pripažinimas" is derived from the verb "pripažinti", meaning "to admit, acknowledge, or recognize". | |||
| Macedonian | признавање | ||
| The word 'признавање' ('recognition') is also used in the sense of 'confession'. | |||
| Polish | uznanie | ||
| "Uznanie" means not only "recognition", but also "acknowledgment" and "appreciation". | |||
| Romanian | recunoaştere | ||
| The word 'recunoaştere' is derived from the Latin word 'recognosco', meaning "to know again or anew". | |||
| Russian | признание | ||
| The word "признание" in Russian also means "confession" or "admission". | |||
| Serbian | препознавање | ||
| The word "препознавање" comes from the Proto-Slavic word "*poznati" meaning "to recognize" or "to know". | |||
| Slovak | uznanie | ||
| The word "uznanie" in Slovak is a cognate of the Polish word "uznanie" and the Russian word "узнавание", both of which mean "recognition". | |||
| Slovenian | priznanje | ||
| The word "priznanje" in Slovenian can also refer to "confession" or "admission". | |||
| Ukrainian | визнання | ||
| Визнання can also refer to a legal statement acknowledging a debt or obligation. | |||
Recognition in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | স্বীকৃতি | ||
| স্বীকৃতি is derived from Sanskrit 'svikrita', which in turn stems from 'svikr' meaning 'to accept or take' | |||
| Gujarati | માન્યતા | ||
| Hindi | मान्यता | ||
| The Hindi word 'मान्यता' comes from Sanskrit, meaning 'respect, acceptance, or acknowledgment'. | |||
| Kannada | ಗುರುತಿಸುವಿಕೆ | ||
| Malayalam | തിരിച്ചറിയൽ | ||
| Marathi | ओळख | ||
| The word "ओळख" in Marathi, meaning "recognition," originates from the Sanskrit word "अवलोकन" (avaloKana), which also means "observation" or "perceiving." | |||
| Nepali | मान्यता | ||
| The word "मान्यता" is derived from the Sanskrit word "मानयति," which means "to honor" or "to respect." | |||
| Punjabi | ਮਾਨਤਾ | ||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | පිළිගැනීම | ||
| The Sinhala word "පිළිගැනීම" literally translates to "taking back", signifying the act of formally acknowledging something. | |||
| Tamil | அங்கீகாரம் | ||
| Telugu | గుర్తింపు | ||
| The word గుర్తింపు, meaning 'recognition', originally meant 'to identify a mark' in old Telugu. | |||
| Urdu | شناخت | ||
| شناخت (ishanākht) derives from the Sanskrit jñāna, which translates to 'knowledge' or 'understanding'. Its literal meaning is 'the act of knowing'. | |||
Recognition in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 承认 | ||
| “承认”原指“称重”，引申为承认、认可。 | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 承認 | ||
| 承認 (shōnin) is used in Japanese with the same meaning as 认可 (rènkě) in Chinese. | |||
| Japanese | 認識 | ||
| The word "認識" (ninshiki) in Japanese can also mean "cognition" or "perception". | |||
| Korean | 인식 | ||
| The Korean word "인식" (recognition) can also mean "awareness" or "perception". | |||
| Mongolian | хүлээн зөвшөөрөх | ||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | အသိအမှတ်ပြုမှု | ||
Recognition in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | pengakuan | ||
| The Indonesian word for 'recognition', 'pengakuan', also has connotations of 'acknowledgement', 'admission', or 'confession'. | |||
| Javanese | pangenalan | ||
| "Pangenalan" can also mean "introduction" in Javanese. | |||
| Khmer | ការទទួលស្គាល់ | ||
| Lao | ການຮັບຮູ້ | ||
| Malay | pengiktirafan | ||
| Pengiktirafan is sometimes used more widely to mean 'acknowledgement' or 'notice'. | |||
| Thai | การรับรู้ | ||
| The Thai word "การรับรู้" (recognition) also has the alternate meaning of "consciousness" or "awareness". | |||
| Vietnamese | sự công nhận | ||
| The same word "sự công nhận" can also be translated to "acknowledgement" in English. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | pagkilala | ||
Recognition in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | tanınma | ||
| The Azerbaijani word "tanınma" can also mean "identification" or "fame". | |||
| Kazakh | тану | ||
| The Kazakh word "тану" also has meanings such as "to know", "to be familiar with", and "to be acquainted with". | |||
| Kyrgyz | таануу | ||
| - | |||
| Tajik | эътироф | ||
| The word "эътироф" in Tajik can also mean "confession" or "admission". | |||
| Turkmen | tanamak | ||
| Uzbek | tan olish | ||
| The word "tan olish" originally meant "to wake up" or "to notice" and could imply someone's realization that they were wrong or had been mistaken. | |||
| Uyghur | تونۇش | ||
Recognition in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | hoʻomaopopo | ||
| The word "hoʻomaopopo" in Hawaiian also means "to make known" or "to explain". | |||
| Maori | āhukahuka | ||
| "Āhukahuka" also means "mirror", "reflection", or "picture" in Maori culture. | |||
| Samoan | aloaʻia | ||
| The word "aloaʻia" can also mean "to be remembered" or "to be acknowledged". | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | pagkilala | ||
| The alternative meaning of "pagkilala" is "acknowledgement". | |||
Recognition in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | luqtawi | ||
| Guarani | jehechakuaa | ||
Recognition in International Languages
| Esperanto | rekono | ||
| The word "rekono" is derived from the Latin word "recognōscō," meaning "to review" or "to reconsider." | |||
| Latin | recognition | ||
| The Latin word "cognitio" has the broader meaning of "knowledge" or "investigation". | |||
Recognition in Others Languages
| Greek | αναγνώριση | ||
| "Αναγνώριση" derives from "ανα-γινώσκω," meaning to read thoroughly, or to gather knowledge. | |||
| Hmong | paub | ||
| In the Hmong dialect spoken in Vietnam, "paub" also means "to call out". | |||
| Kurdish | nasî | ||
| The term "nasî" in Kurdish is also used colloquially to acknowledge something or someone, extending beyond mere recognition to imply acceptance or acknowledgement. | |||
| Turkish | tanıma | ||
| The word "tanıma" in Turkish also means "definition" or "identification". | |||
| Xhosa | ukwamkelwa | ||
| The Xhosa word "ukwamkelwa" is thought to be derived from the verb "amkela", meaning "to receive" or "to accept", and the noun "umkhosi", meaning "gathering" or "meeting". | |||
| Yiddish | דערקענונג | ||
| The Yiddish word דערקענונג derives from the German word Erkenntnis, which means "knowledge" or "cognition." | |||
| Zulu | ukuqashelwa | ||
| 'Ukuqashelwa' also refers to a custom of acknowledging a new in-law and welcoming them into the family. | |||
| Assamese | স্বীকৃতি | ||
| Aymara | luqtawi | ||
| Bhojpuri | मान्यता | ||
| Dhivehi | އަގުވަޒަންކުރުން | ||
| Dogri | मानता | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | pagkilala | ||
| Guarani | jehechakuaa | ||
| Ilocano | panangbigbig | ||
| Krio | no | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | پێزانین | ||
| Maithili | मान्यता | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯁꯛꯈꯪꯕ | ||
| Mizo | hriatpuina | ||
| Oromo | beekamtii | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ସ୍ୱୀକୃତି | ||
| Quechua | riqsiy | ||
| Sanskrit | स्वीकृति | ||
| Tatar | тану | ||
| Tigrinya | ተፈላጥነት | ||
| Tsonga | tiviwa | ||