Updated on March 6, 2024
Reputation is a powerful word that carries significant weight in any culture or language. It refers to the beliefs or opinions that are generally held about someone or something, based on past behavior or performance. A good reputation can open doors, build trust, and create opportunities, while a bad reputation can have the opposite effect.
Throughout history, reputation has played a crucial role in shaping the course of events. In ancient Rome, for example, a person's reputation was closely tied to their honor and social standing. In modern times, reputation management has become a major concern for businesses and individuals alike, as negative reviews or social media posts can spread like wildfire and cause irreparable damage.
Given the importance of reputation, it's not surprising that people around the world are interested in its translation in different languages. Understanding how this concept is expressed in other cultures can provide valuable insights into the values and beliefs of those communities.
Here are some sample translations of reputation in different languages:
Afrikaans | reputasie | ||
The word "reputasie" in Afrikaans originates from the French word "réputation" which has the same meaning. | |||
Amharic | ዝና | ||
Amharic word "ዝና" also means "face". | |||
Hausa | suna | ||
Hausa word "suna" derives from Proto-Chadic *súnà, meaning "word", "speech", or "language" | |||
Igbo | aha | ||
The word | |||
Malagasy | laza | ||
The word "laza" also means "shame" or "embarrassment" in Malagasy. | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | mbiri | ||
The etymology of "mbiri" in Nyanja is unknown, but it may be related to the word "mbeleko," which means "respect." | |||
Shona | mukurumbira | ||
Somali | sumcad | ||
In Somali, 'sumcad' can also refer to 'character' or 'distinction,' indicating a broader meaning beyond reputation alone. | |||
Sesotho | botumo | ||
The word "botumo" also means "dignity" and "honor." | |||
Swahili | sifa | ||
In Swahili, the word "sifa" also refers to an external sign or appearance, such as a mark or scar. | |||
Xhosa | igama | ||
The word "igama" can also refer to a person's name, which carries significant cultural importance and is often associated with their character and destiny. | |||
Yoruba | rere | ||
The word "rere" in Yoruba also means "good" or "fine." | |||
Zulu | isithunzi | ||
The word 'isithunzi' in Zulu also means 'shadow', and has cultural connotations related to a person's social standing and the opinions held about them. | |||
Bambara | tɔgɔ | ||
Ewe | bubudede | ||
Kinyarwanda | izina | ||
Lingala | lokumu | ||
Luganda | ekitiibwa | ||
Sepedi | seriti | ||
Twi (Akan) | deɛ wɔnim wo wɔ ho | ||
Arabic | سمعة | ||
The Arabic name سُمعة stems from the verb سَمِع (to hear), implying a reputation based on public perception. | |||
Hebrew | תדמית | ||
The original meaning of "תדמית" ("reputation") in Hebrew is "imagination." | |||
Pashto | شهرت | ||
شه رت in Pashto also means the state of being known to the public. | |||
Arabic | سمعة | ||
The Arabic name سُمعة stems from the verb سَمِع (to hear), implying a reputation based on public perception. |
Albanian | reputacioni | ||
Albanian word "reputacioni" originates from the Latin word "reputatio" which meant "thinking" or "considering". | |||
Basque | ospea | ||
Derived from Proto-Basque *otsepi and related to the word "fame" in the Aquitanian language. | |||
Catalan | reputació | ||
In Catalan, "reputació" means "reputation," but its etymology and other meanings include "account," "fame," and "esteem." | |||
Croatian | ugled | ||
The word "ugled" can also mean "opinion" or "judgment" in Croatian. | |||
Danish | omdømme | ||
In Danish, "omdømme" can also refer to an individual's status or standing within a community. | |||
Dutch | reputatie | ||
It shares its etymology with the word “reputation” (Latin: reputatio) and the noun “reputatie” in Dutch. | |||
English | reputation | ||
The word "reputation" derives from the Latin root "putare", meaning "to count" or "to think", thus indicating the collective assessment others have of a person's character or standing. | |||
French | réputation | ||
In French, "réputation" can also mean a "public show" | |||
Frisian | reputaasje | ||
The Frisian word "reputaasje" comes from the Dutch word "reputatie," which itself is derived from the Latin verb "reputare," meaning "to consider" or "to calculate." | |||
Galician | reputación | ||
"Reputación" comes from the Latin word "reputatio", which means "consideration" or "esteem". | |||
German | ruf | ||
The word "Ruf" can also refer to a dog's bark or a bird's call. | |||
Icelandic | mannorð | ||
Mannorð is a compound word derived from the words "maður" (man) and "orð" (word), implying the estimation in which a man is held by his peers. | |||
Irish | cáil | ||
In folklore, the "cáil" of the fairies was a geas, an obligation with supernatural consequences. | |||
Italian | reputazione | ||
"Reputazione" is often confused for "repulsione" (repulsion), but it's actually derived from Latin "reputare" (to think of again). | |||
Luxembourgish | ruff | ||
The word "Ruff" can also mean "bark" in Luxembourgish. | |||
Maltese | reputazzjoni | ||
The word "reputazzjoni" derives from the Italian word "reputazione", which means "fame, renown". | |||
Norwegian | rykte | ||
The word 'rykte' derives from the Old Norse word 'ryktr', which referred to 'spread' or 'dispersion'. | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | reputação | ||
The word "reputação" comes from the Latin word "reputatio," meaning "consideration" or "evaluation." | |||
Scots Gaelic | cliù | ||
In addition to 'reputation', the word 'cliù' can also refer to 'rumour', 'gossip', 'fame', and 'esteem'. | |||
Spanish | reputación | ||
In Spanish, 'reputación' refers not only to standing in a community, but also to a particular register or speech level used in formal situations. | |||
Swedish | rykte | ||
The word "rykte" comes from the Middle Low German word "röchte", meaning "rumor". | |||
Welsh | enw da | ||
The word "enw da" in Welsh can also mean "good name" or "fame". |
Belarusian | рэпутацыя | ||
The Russian word "репутация" derives from the French "réputation" and Latin "reputatio" (calculation), while the Belarusian word "рэпутацыя" derives from the Polish "reputacja". | |||
Bosnian | ugled | ||
Derived from the Turkish word "ugut", meaning "threat" or "warning". | |||
Bulgarian | репутация | ||
"Репутация" traces back to Latin "putare", which also gives Bulgarian "смятам" and "възнамерявам". The literal meaning is thus closer to "intention" or "calculation". | |||
Czech | pověst | ||
The word "pověst" also means "tale" or "legend" in Czech, reflecting its historical connection to oral storytelling and the transmission of information through generations. | |||
Estonian | maine | ||
The word "maine" also means "fame, glory, grandeur, nobility, pride, or magnificence". | |||
Finnish | maine | ||
In addition to its primary meaning, "maine" in Finnish can also refer to a mark left on cattle, or the shape or quality of the terrain, typically the coastline. | |||
Hungarian | hírnév | ||
The word "hírnév" in Hungarian is derived from the words "hír" (news) and "név" (name), and also means "fame" or "renown". | |||
Latvian | reputācija | ||
The word “reputācija” is derived from the Latin verb “reputare,” meaning “to think over,” and its original meaning was “consideration.” The word has since evolved to encompass the opinions of others about a person or organization, giving it the additional connotation of “standing” or “esteem.” | |||
Lithuanian | reputacija | ||
"Reputacija" in Lithuanian shares its root with "repute" and "reputation" in English | |||
Macedonian | углед | ||
Macedonian 'углед' is derived from 'у-глед', meaning 'into sight' or referring to a person 'in sight'. | |||
Polish | reputacja | ||
In Polish, "reputacja" also holds the meaning of "rumor or gossip" | |||
Romanian | reputatie | ||
The Romanian word "reputatie" ultimately derives from the Latin word "reputatio" meaning "reckoning" or "thinking over". | |||
Russian | репутация | ||
The word "репутация" comes from the French word "réputation", which in turn comes from the Latin word "reputatio", meaning "consideration, regard, or esteem." | |||
Serbian | углед | ||
Serbian "углед" also means "corner" in Russian and Polish. | |||
Slovak | reputácia | ||
The word "reputácia" also means "legend" in Slovak. | |||
Slovenian | ugled | ||
The word "ugled" also means "gaze" or "look" in Slovenian. | |||
Ukrainian | репутація | ||
The word "reпутація" comes from the Latin word "reputatio", meaning "reflection" or "consideration". |
Bengali | খ্যাতি | ||
The word 'খ্যাতি' also means 'fame'. | |||
Gujarati | પ્રતિષ્ઠા | ||
Hindi | प्रतिष्ठा | ||
'प्रतिष्ठा' also means honour, prestige, or dignity | |||
Kannada | ಖ್ಯಾತಿ | ||
Derived from Sanskrit 'khyāti' from 'khyā', meaning 'to tell' or 'to make known'. | |||
Malayalam | മതിപ്പ് | ||
The word "മതിപ്പ്" in Malayalam also has the meaning "esteem" or "regard" in English. | |||
Marathi | प्रतिष्ठा | ||
The word "प्रतिष्ठा" also means "worship", "honor", or "dignity". | |||
Nepali | प्रतिष्ठा | ||
प्रतिष्ठा (pratiṣṭhā) originates from the Sanskrit word प्रतिष्ठा (pratiṣṭhā), meaning 'establishment, foundation, or status'. | |||
Punjabi | ਵੱਕਾਰ | ||
The word "ਵੱਕਾਰ" (vakaar) in Punjabi can also mean "respect" or "esteem", and is derived from the Sanskrit word "वक्र" ( vakra ), meaning "crooked". However, in Punjabi, the word has a more positive connotation and refers to a person's good reputation or standing in society. | |||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | කීර්තිය | ||
The word "කීර්තිය" is derived from the Sanskrit word "कीर्ति" (kīrti), which originally meant "fame" or "renown". In Sinhala, the word has acquired a more general meaning of "reputation" or "standing" in society. | |||
Tamil | நற்பெயர் | ||
Telugu | కీర్తి | ||
The word "కీర్తి" is derived from the Sanskrit word 'kirti', meaning 'fame' or 'glory'. | |||
Urdu | ساکھ | ||
The word "ساکھ" can also refer to a person's trustworthiness or their financial standing. |
Chinese (Simplified) | 声誉 | ||
In Chinese, "声誉" (shēngyù) also refers to people's reputation built on their merits and achievements. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 聲譽 | ||
It's a compound of '聲' (sound, noise) and '譽' (praise, honor), so it can also mean 'sound of praise'. | |||
Japanese | 評判 | ||
The word "評判" (hyōban) also means "review" or "criticism". | |||
Korean | 평판 | ||
Originally meaning "to spread evenly," the word "평판" (평판) came to mean "flat" and then "reputation." | |||
Mongolian | нэр хүнд | ||
The word "нэр хүнд" can also refer to "fame" or "honor". | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | ဂုဏ်သတင်း | ||
Indonesian | reputasi | ||
In Indonesian, "reputasi" means "reputation" but also "image" more broadly, especially in a business context. | |||
Javanese | ajining diri | ||
The word 'ajining diri' is believed to be derived from the Sanskrit phrase 'ajñāna' meaning 'ignorance', implying that a person's reputation is determined by their knowledge and awareness. | |||
Khmer | កេរ្តិ៍ឈ្មោះ | ||
The word កេរ្តិ៍ឈ្មោះ (keart chhmuoh) literally means "glory and name", reflecting the intertwined nature of reputation and honor in Khmer culture. | |||
Lao | ຊື່ສຽງ | ||
Malay | reputasi | ||
The word 'reputasi' is derived from the Arabic word 'ra'y', meaning 'opinion', reflecting the idea that reputation is based on the opinions of others. | |||
Thai | ชื่อเสียง | ||
"ชื่อเสียง" is also the name of a Thai BL drama. | |||
Vietnamese | uy tín | ||
The word 'uy tín' is a combination of two words: 'uy' (trust) and 'tín' (honesty). | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | reputasyon | ||
Azerbaijani | nüfuz | ||
"Nüfuz" originates from the Arabic "nufūdh", meaning "penetration" or "permeation." | |||
Kazakh | бедел | ||
The word "бедел" can also refer to the reputation of a person or group. | |||
Kyrgyz | кадыр-барк | ||
Tajik | обрӯ | ||
The word "обрӯ" can also mean "appearance" or "face". | |||
Turkmen | abraý | ||
Uzbek | obro'-e'tibor | ||
Uzbek word "obro'-e'tibor" has alternative meaning of "prestige" and is thought to come from Persian "ebtekar" meaning "invention, innovation, creation" or Arabic "ibtida'" meaning "commencement, beginning, initiative". | |||
Uyghur | ئىناۋىتى | ||
Hawaiian | kaulana | ||
The word 'kaulana' is derived from the Hawaiian word 'kaha', meaning 'to tell' or 'to relate', and the suffix '-na', meaning 'the act of'. It is often used to describe the reputation of a person, place, or thing based on what others have said or reported about it. | |||
Maori | ingoa | ||
The word 'ingoa' is also used to mean 'name' or 'identity'. This relationship between reputation and identity can be found in many other cultures around the world. | |||
Samoan | igoa taʻuleleia | ||
In Samoan, 'igoa taʻuleleia' can also mean 'a good name' or 'respect' | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | reputasyon | ||
The Tagalog word "reputasyon" is derived from the Spanish word "reputación", which also means "reputation". |
Aymara | riputasyuna | ||
Guarani | tekorechapy | ||
Esperanto | reputacio | ||
The word "reputacio" originates from the Latin word "reputatio," which means both "reputation" and "reckoning." | |||
Latin | nominis | ||
Nominis' original meaning was 'name'; its sense of 'reputation' evolved from the idea of 'the name or fame of a person who achieves distinction'. |
Greek | φήμη | ||
The word φήμη comes from the verb φημί, which means 'to speak', and also means 'report' or 'rumor'. | |||
Hmong | lub koob npe nrov | ||
The word "lub koob npe nrov" literally means "face of the back of the head" in Hmong. | |||
Kurdish | bang | ||
The word "bang" in Kurdish can also refer to a "sound" or a "shout" | |||
Turkish | itibar | ||
The word 'itibar' in Turkish may also refer to the consideration or value given to something. | |||
Xhosa | igama | ||
The word "igama" can also refer to a person's name, which carries significant cultural importance and is often associated with their character and destiny. | |||
Yiddish | שעם | ||
The word "שעם" (shoem) in Yiddish, meaning "reputation," is cognate with the Hebrew word "שם" (shem), meaning "name". | |||
Zulu | isithunzi | ||
The word 'isithunzi' in Zulu also means 'shadow', and has cultural connotations related to a person's social standing and the opinions held about them. | |||
Assamese | খ্যাতি | ||
Aymara | riputasyuna | ||
Bhojpuri | प्रतिष्ठा | ||
Dhivehi | މީހުން ދެކޭގޮތް | ||
Dogri | इज्जत | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | reputasyon | ||
Guarani | tekorechapy | ||
Ilocano | reputasion | ||
Krio | gudnem | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | ناوبانگ | ||
Maithili | प्रतिष्ठा | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯃꯤꯌꯥꯝꯅ ꯏꯀꯥꯏ ꯈꯨꯝꯅꯕꯤꯕ | ||
Mizo | hmingthatna | ||
Oromo | kabaja | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ପ୍ରତିଷ୍ଠା | ||
Quechua | reputacion | ||
Sanskrit | प्रतिष्ठा | ||
Tatar | абруе | ||
Tigrinya | ክብሪ | ||
Tsonga | ndhuma | ||