Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'record' carries with it a sense of significance and cultural importance, denoting something worthy of being remembered or preserved for posterity. From the Latin 'recordari,' meaning 'to remember,' the term has evolved to encompass a wide range of meanings, including audio and video recordings, record-breaking achievements, and historical documents.
Given the global reach of modern communication and media, understanding the word 'record' in different languages can be both fascinating and useful. For instance, in Spanish, the term is 'récord', while in German, it's 'Rekord', and in Mandarin Chinese, it's '记录' (jìlù).
Moreover, the concept of record-keeping has played a crucial role in many societies throughout history. From ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs to modern-day digital archives, the ability to record and preserve information has been a key factor in human progress.
So, whether you're a language enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious, exploring the translations of the word 'record' can offer a unique perspective on the world's diverse cultures and traditions.
Afrikaans | opneem | ||
"Opneem" also means to occupy space or to make a note of something. | |||
Amharic | መዝገብ | ||
The word "መዝገብ" is derived from the Greek word "graphein", meaning "to write". | |||
Hausa | rikodin | ||
The Hausa word rikodin is thought to have derived from Arabic via Kanuri and has no relation to the English word record. | |||
Igbo | ndekọ | ||
The word "ndekọ" can also refer to a traditional Igbo art form consisting of painted or carved wooden masks, figures, and textiles. | |||
Malagasy | firaketana an-tsoratra | ||
The word "firaketana an-tsoratra" is derived from "firaketany" (meaning "sign" or "mark") and "an-tsoratra" (meaning "of the writing"). | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | mbiri | ||
In Nyanja, the word "mbiri" can also refer to a groove, path, or mark made by an object in motion. | |||
Shona | zvinyorwa | ||
In Shona, "zvinyorwa" refers to both written documents and oral traditions recording historical events or cultural practices. | |||
Somali | diiwaanka | ||
The Somali word 'diiwaanka' can also refer to a collection of literary works. | |||
Sesotho | rekoto | ||
The word 'rekoto' in Sesotho is derived from the word 'rekota', meaning 'to speak'. | |||
Swahili | rekodi | ||
The Swahili word "rekodi" comes from the Arabic word "raqid", meaning "a dancer". In Swahili, it has come to mean "a record". | |||
Xhosa | irekhodi | ||
The word "irekhodi" (record) is derived from the isiXhosa verb "ukurekhoda" (to record, write down) | |||
Yoruba | igbasilẹ | ||
The word "ìgbàsilẹ̀" in Yoruba derives from the verb "gbà," meaning "to receive," and the noun "ìṣẹ̀," meaning "work," suggesting the action of receiving a recorded work or account. | |||
Zulu | irekhodi | ||
The word 'irekhodi' is also used to refer to a groove or track on a vinyl record. | |||
Bambara | ka kumakan ta | ||
Ewe | nyaleɖi | ||
Kinyarwanda | inyandiko | ||
Lingala | dosie | ||
Luganda | ebiterekero | ||
Sepedi | pego | ||
Twi (Akan) | nsɛnkoraeɛ | ||
Arabic | سجل | ||
"سجل" is also used to refer to a written document that contains information or data, such as a log, register, or dossier. | |||
Hebrew | תקליט | ||
תקליט, in Hebrew, also refers to a single, an album, or vinyl record. | |||
Pashto | ثبت | ||
The word "ثبت" in Pashto can also mean "to fix" or "to establish". | |||
Arabic | سجل | ||
"سجل" is also used to refer to a written document that contains information or data, such as a log, register, or dossier. |
Albanian | rekord | ||
The Albanian word "rekord" originates from the Latin word "recordari" meaning "to remember". | |||
Basque | grabatu | ||
The word "grabatu" also means "written" or "engraved" in Basque. | |||
Catalan | registre | ||
The word “registre” in Catalan can also refer to a list, inventory, or a register of documents. | |||
Croatian | snimiti | ||
The word snimiti in Croatian also means to photograph, film, or shoot something. | |||
Danish | optage | ||
The word "optage" (record) is derived from the Latin word "optare," meaning "to choose or wish for." | |||
Dutch | vermelding | ||
In the context of insurance or legal proceedings, a "Vermelding" refers to a written notification or statement that is officially registered and has legal implications. | |||
English | record | ||
The word "record" derives from the Latin word "recordare" meaning "to reflect upon" and shares its root with the word "cor" meaning "heart". | |||
French | record | ||
The French word « record » has multiple meanings, including « record », « register » and « report ». | |||
Frisian | opnimme | ||
"Opnimme" is derived from Proto-West Germanic *upnemen, cognate to English "uptake." | |||
Galician | rexistro | ||
Galician "rexistro" shares the Latin word's etymology, which referred to a magistrate's roll or a list of military recruits. | |||
German | aufzeichnung | ||
Aufzeichnung can also refer to a drawing or sketch, reflecting its original meaning of "drawing up". | |||
Icelandic | met | ||
Met derives from the Old Norse word "met" meaning "measure" or "standard". | |||
Irish | taifead | ||
It's a loanword from the French word 'tarif'. | |||
Italian | disco | ||
The Italian word 'disco' also means 'record' in the sense of a vinyl record. | |||
Luxembourgish | opzehuelen | ||
The German word "aufziehen" means to wind up a watch or to record an event in a book; its Luxembourgish equivalent "opzehuelen" means either to record, to pull up/tighten or to breed a pet. | |||
Maltese | rekord | ||
"Rekord" in Maltese also means "to report" or "to inform". | |||
Norwegian | ta opp | ||
The Norwegian word 'ta opp' can also mean to 'pick up', 'raise', or 'take in'. | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | registro | ||
In Portuguese, 'registro' also refers to a public record of births, deaths, marriages, and other legal events. | |||
Scots Gaelic | clàr | ||
The Scots Gaelic word "clàr" also means "board" or "flat surface". | |||
Spanish | grabar | ||
The word "grabar" in Spanish comes from the Latin "grabare," meaning "to engrave" or "to write." | |||
Swedish | spela in | ||
The word "spela in" in Swedish comes from a German word that means to "play in" or "play on", originally referring to the act of playing music on a recording device. | |||
Welsh | record | ||
In Welsh, the word 'record' can also mean 'to sing' or 'to recite', reflecting its historical connection to oral traditions. |
Belarusian | запіс | ||
The Belarusian word "запіс" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "zapisь", meaning "document" or "inscription". | |||
Bosnian | zapis | ||
The word "zapis" is etymologically linked to the concept of writing or leaving a trace, and in addition to meaning "record", it can also mean "inscription," "account," or "note." | |||
Bulgarian | запис | ||
The Bulgarian word "запис" can also mean "note", "entry" or "inscription". | |||
Czech | záznam | ||
In Czech, the word "záznam" can also refer to a note or a memorandum. | |||
Estonian | plaat | ||
The word "plaat" can also refer to a flat panel, sheet metal or plate in addition to its meaning as "record." | |||
Finnish | ennätys | ||
The word "ennätys" also means "example" or "model" in Finnish. | |||
Hungarian | rekord | ||
The Hungarian word "rekord" originates from Latin "recordor", to remember. | |||
Latvian | ieraksts | ||
Ieraksts comes from the verb iedzīt, meaning to drive in, likely referring to the act of driving a stylus into a record. | |||
Lithuanian | įrašas | ||
The Lithuanian word "įrašas" has a root in the verb "įrašyti", which means to write or engrave, indicating its primary meaning of a written or recorded mark. | |||
Macedonian | рекорд | ||
The word "рекорд" in Macedonian can also mean "registration" or "protocol". | |||
Polish | rekord | ||
The Polish word "rekord" also means "achievement" or "feat". | |||
Romanian | record | ||
In Romanian, "record" derives from Latin "recordari," meaning "to remember," and holds additional meanings like "certificate" or "official act." | |||
Russian | запись | ||
Derived from the verb "записывать" (to write down), which ultimately comes from the Old Church Slavonic word "писати" (to write), the noun "запись" can refer not only to a record of something but also to a written or typed document like a note or a message. | |||
Serbian | запис | ||
The word "запис" can also mean "note" or "entry" in Serbian. | |||
Slovak | záznam | ||
The word "záznam" also has the alternate meaning of "evidence" or "proof" in Slovak. | |||
Slovenian | zapis | ||
The word 'zapis' originates from the Old Slavic word 'zapisať', meaning 'to write down'. It can also refer to 'a written statement' or 'a protocol'. | |||
Ukrainian | запис | ||
The Ukrainian word "запис" can also refer to a note or entry. |
Bengali | রেকর্ড | ||
The word "রেকর্ড" (record) also means "disk" in English. | |||
Gujarati | રેકોર્ડ | ||
રેકોર્ડ (record) can refer to both a physical object like a vinyl or a digital recording as well as an achievement or accomplishment. | |||
Hindi | अभिलेख | ||
"अभिलेख" originates from the Sanskrit words "अभि" (over) and "लेख" (writing), and can also mean an inscription, document, or archive. | |||
Kannada | ದಾಖಲೆ | ||
The word "ದಾಖಲೆ" (record) in Kannada originates from the Persian word "dakhili", meaning 'internal' or 'confidential'. | |||
Malayalam | റെക്കോർഡ് | ||
റെക്കോർഡ് can also refer to a record book, register, document, or official list. | |||
Marathi | विक्रम | ||
The Marathi word "विक्रम" is derived from the Sanskrit word "vikram", meaning "valour", "prowess", or "achievement", and is also used in other Indo-Aryan languages with similar meanings. | |||
Nepali | रेकर्ड | ||
The Nepali word "रेकर्ड" can also mean "proof" or "example" in English. | |||
Punjabi | ਰਿਕਾਰਡ | ||
The Punjabi word "ਰਿਕਾਰਡ" (record) likely originates from the Persian word "رُقعه" (ruq'ah), meaning "a note" or "a small piece of paper." | |||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | වාර්තාව | ||
"වාර්තාව" also means a piece of paper or board on which something is written or drawn. | |||
Tamil | பதிவு | ||
The Tamil word "பதிவு" ("record") also denotes a "record book" or "document register." | |||
Telugu | రికార్డ్ | ||
Urdu | ریکارڈ | ||
Urdu 'ریکارڈ' can also refer to the act of registering or documenting. |
Chinese (Simplified) | 记录 | ||
In its most ancient usage records were the wooden strips on which laws were written, which had to tally with their counterparts (契/契) to confirm authenticity. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 記錄 | ||
記錄 (record) can also mean to write down or to take note of something; a written account of something that has happened or been done; or to register or enrol (a person or thing). | |||
Japanese | 記録 | ||
In Japanese, "記録" not only means "record," but also "memory" or "history." | |||
Korean | 기록 | ||
The Korean word "기록" (girok) can also refer to a document or a chronicle | |||
Mongolian | бичлэг | ||
In Mongolian, бичлэг ("record") originates from the verb бичих ("to write"), and can also refer to a written document or account. | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | စံချိန် | ||
Indonesian | merekam | ||
The Indonesian word 'merekam' has an alternative meaning of 'to take a photograph' and is derived from the Dutch word 'fotograferen', which also means 'to photograph'. | |||
Javanese | ngrekam | ||
The Javanese word "ngrekam" is likely derived from the Dutch word "recorder" through Malay "rekorder". | |||
Khmer | កំណត់ត្រា | ||
Lao | ບັນທຶກ | ||
Malay | rakam | ||
The Malay word 'rakam' can also mean 'digit', 'number', or 'tally'. | |||
Thai | บันทึก | ||
The Thai word "บันทึก" can also mean "note" or "log". | |||
Vietnamese | ghi lại | ||
The Sino-Vietnamese word "ghi lại" (recorded) is also the original word for "to play music" and is still used in this context. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | rekord | ||
Azerbaijani | qeyd | ||
Qeyd may also refer to "condition" and "fate" in the Azerbaijani language. | |||
Kazakh | жазба | ||
The word "жазба" in Kazakh can also be used to refer to "writing" or "handwriting". | |||
Kyrgyz | жазуу | ||
The Kyrgyz word "жазуу" also means "writing" or "inscription". | |||
Tajik | сабт | ||
The word "сабт" derives from the Arabic word "صَبْت" meaning "firmness, steadiness". | |||
Turkmen | ýazgy | ||
Uzbek | yozuv | ||
"Yozuv" is also an archaic name for "letter" in the Uzbek language. | |||
Uyghur | خاتىرە | ||
Hawaiian | hoʻopaʻa moʻolelo | ||
In Hawaiian, the word "hoʻopaʻa moʻolelo" not only means "to record" but also "to hold history" or "to preserve knowledge." | |||
Maori | rekoata | ||
Rekoata can also mean 'to make a mark' or 'to draw a picture'. | |||
Samoan | faamaumauga | ||
The word 'faamaumauga' is derived from the verb 'maumau', which means to record, and the prefix 'faa', which indicates causative action. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | talaan | ||
The word "talaan" comes from the root word "tala," which means "to cut." This refers to the ancient practice of carving records onto wooden or bamboo tablets called "talahanan. |
Aymara | qillqanta | ||
Guarani | mboguapyre | ||
Esperanto | rekordo | ||
Esperanto "rekordo" comes from the Latin word "recordor" (remembering) but is sometimes used to also mean "a large amount". | |||
Latin | record | ||
The Latin word "recordor" also means "remember" or "recall", suggesting the interconnectedness between remembering, recording, and preserving information. |
Greek | ρεκόρ | ||
In Ancient Greek, "Ρεκόρ" also referred to a part of a lyre that was used for tuning. | |||
Hmong | ntawv | ||
The prefix “n” makes “tawv”, a verb, a noun meaning "the result of the action", so "ntawv" means the result of playing music, i.e. a record. | |||
Kurdish | rekor | ||
The Kurmanci word "rekor" comes from the Arabic word "riwaaya", meaning "story" or "narration". | |||
Turkish | kayıt | ||
The Turkish word "kayıt" originally meant "a wooden tablet used for writing" and has also been used to mean "a document" or "a register". | |||
Xhosa | irekhodi | ||
The word "irekhodi" (record) is derived from the isiXhosa verb "ukurekhoda" (to record, write down) | |||
Yiddish | רעקאָרדירן | ||
The Yiddish word "רעקאָרדירן" comes from the French "recorder," which in turn comes from the Latin "recordari," meaning "to bring to mind, remember, recall." | |||
Zulu | irekhodi | ||
The word 'irekhodi' is also used to refer to a groove or track on a vinyl record. | |||
Assamese | নথিভুক্ত | ||
Aymara | qillqanta | ||
Bhojpuri | दर्ज करीं | ||
Dhivehi | ރިކޯޑްކުރުން | ||
Dogri | रिकार्ड | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | rekord | ||
Guarani | mboguapyre | ||
Ilocano | rekord | ||
Krio | rɛkɔd | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | تۆمار | ||
Maithili | दर्ज करनाइ | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯊꯝꯖꯤꯜꯂꯕ ꯋꯥꯐꯝ | ||
Mizo | chhinchhiah | ||
Oromo | galmeessuu | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ରେକର୍ଡ | ||
Quechua | hapichiy | ||
Sanskrit | अभिलेख | ||
Tatar | язма | ||
Tigrinya | ቅዳሕ | ||
Tsonga | rhekhoda | ||