Rifle in Different Languages
Discover 'Rifle' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
Rifles are one of the most significant firearms in history, having played a crucial role in hunting, sports, and military combat. Their long-range accuracy and power have made them an essential tool for many cultures and societies around the world. But have you ever wondered how the word 'rifle' translates into different languages?
Understanding the translation of 'rifle' in various languages can provide insight into how different cultures perceive and interact with this powerful firearm. For example, in Spanish, 'rifle' translates to 'fusil,' while in German, it's 'Gewehr.' In French, it's 'fusil,' and in Japanese, it's 'ライフル (raifuru).'
Moreover, exploring the translations of 'rifle' can also reveal interesting historical contexts. For instance, during the colonial era, European powers introduced rifles to many indigenous communities, forever changing their ways of life. As a result, the word 'rifle' entered the vocabulary of many languages, reflecting the global impact of this firearm.
So, whether you're a language enthusiast, a history buff, or simply curious, learning the translations of 'rifle' in different languages can be a fascinating journey. Keep reading to discover more translations and learn about the cultural significance of this powerful firearm.
Rifle
Rifle in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | geweer | ||
| The word "geweer" in Afrikaans is derived from the Dutch word "geweer", which means "weapon" or "firearm". | |||
| Amharic | ጠመንጃ | ||
| The Amharic word “ጠመንጃ” originates from the Italian word “teminegga” which is itself derived from the Late Latin expression “tormentum”. | |||
| Hausa | bindiga | ||
| In Hausa, "bindiga" is derived from the Arabic "banduq," denoting a type of early cannons or muskets | |||
| Igbo | égbè | ||
| In some contexts, 'égbè' in Igbo can also refer to a 'stick' or 'club' used for hitting or throwing. | |||
| Malagasy | basy | ||
| "Basy" is also used to refer to the traditional form of hunting spear used to take wild boar or in armed combat, particularly against wild boar in ceremonial combat, a practice that has existed since at least the 18th century. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | mfuti | ||
| In Nyanja, the word "mfuti" also refers to a bow and arrow, or more generally to any tool that launches projectiles, including arrows, darts, and guns | |||
| Shona | pfuti | ||
| Pfuti's root, 'pfu,' is an onomatopoeia representing the sound of a gun shot. | |||
| Somali | qoriga | ||
| The word "qoriga" may also be used to refer to a "gun" in general or a firearm. | |||
| Sesotho | sethunya | ||
| The Sesotho word "sethunya" is derived from the Zulu word "isithunywa," which means "messenger" or "envoy." | |||
| Swahili | bunduki | ||
| The word "bunduki" in Swahili may originate from the Portuguese word "espingarda," which also means "rifle." | |||
| Xhosa | umpu | ||
| The word "umpu" in Xhosa, originally meaning "gun," is derived from the Zulu word for "firearm." | |||
| Yoruba | ibọn | ||
| The word "ibọn" also means "arrow" in Yoruba. | |||
| Zulu | isibhamu | ||
| The word 'isibhamu' can refer to a musket or a cannon in some old Zulu texts. | |||
| Bambara | marifa | ||
| Ewe | tu si wotsɔna ƒoa tu | ||
| Kinyarwanda | imbunda | ||
| Lingala | mondoki ya kobɛta | ||
| Luganda | emmundu | ||
| Sepedi | sethunya | ||
| Twi (Akan) | tuo a wɔde di dwuma | ||
Rifle in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | بندقية | ||
| بندقية is the Arabic word for rifle, it originally referred to a matchlock musket in the 15th century, and the name comes from the Arabic word for a wick. | |||
| Hebrew | רובה | ||
| The Hebrew word רובה derives from the Aramaic word "rwby", meaning "arrow", which also gave rise to the word "rubai" in Persian, meaning "quarter" or "quadrant". | |||
| Pashto | ټوپک | ||
| The word "ټوپک" in Pashto also refers to a type of traditional musical instrument resembling a trumpet. | |||
| Arabic | بندقية | ||
| بندقية is the Arabic word for rifle, it originally referred to a matchlock musket in the 15th century, and the name comes from the Arabic word for a wick. | |||
Rifle in Western European Languages
| Albanian | pushkë | ||
| The term "pushkë" is a derivative of the Latin word "bucca", meaning "mouth" or "cheek," referring to the rifle's early usage against horse riders. | |||
| Basque | fusila | ||
| Fusila may also mean a "spinning wheel" or a "spinning top" in Basque. | |||
| Catalan | rifle | ||
| In Catalan, the word "rifle" can also refer to a dispute or argument. | |||
| Croatian | puška | ||
| In Croatian, "puška" can also refer to a cannon or blunderbuss. | |||
| Danish | riffel | ||
| The Danish word "riffel" has different meanings in Norwegian and German than in Danish. | |||
| Dutch | geweer- | ||
| The word "geweer-" derives from the Middle Dutch "gewere" (weapon). | |||
| English | rifle | ||
| Rifle is derived from Middle English 'riflen,' meaning 'to cut or groove,' from Old French 'rifle,' from the Germanic 'rifilin,' which is related to the word 'raffle.' | |||
| French | fusil | ||
| The word "fusil" in French derives from the Latin "focile", meaning "flint". | |||
| Frisian | gewear | ||
| The word "gewear" is cognate with the Dutch word "geweer" meaning "firearm", and ultimately derives from the French word "guerre" meaning "war". | |||
| Galician | rifle | ||
| In Galician, “rifle” can refer to “the action of stealing” as well as to a “rifling groove”. | |||
| German | gewehr | ||
| "Gewehr" in German originally meant "wielding" or "carrying", referring to the act of carrying arms. | |||
| Icelandic | riffill | ||
| In Icelandic, "riffill" can also refer to a "musical riff" or a "series of rapid notes played on a musical instrument." | |||
| Irish | raidhfil | ||
| Raidhfil also means "strife" or "discord" in Irish. | |||
| Italian | fucile | ||
| The Italian word "fucile" also means "flint" or "steel". | |||
| Luxembourgish | gewier | ||
| The term can also be used metaphorically for a person with strong stamina and fighting spirit or to refer to something large and imposing. | |||
| Maltese | xkubetta | ||
| Xkubetta is derived from the Italian word "schioppetto", which means "small gun". | |||
| Norwegian | rifle | ||
| The Norwegian word "rifle" originally came from the French word "rifle," which referred to a groove on a bullet that makes it spin during flight. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | rifle | ||
| The word "rifle" in Portuguese can also refer to a type of guitar string or a groove or groove on a carpentry tool. | |||
| Scots Gaelic | raidhfil | ||
| The word 'raidhfil' in Scots Gaelic is not a native word, but rather a loanword from the English word 'rifle'. | |||
| Spanish | rifle | ||
| En español, "rifle" también significa "atraco" o "saqueo". | |||
| Swedish | gevär | ||
| In Medieval Swedish, a "gevär" was a type of javelin, and the word also came to mean "weapon" or "tool". | |||
| Welsh | reiffl | ||
| The Welsh word "reiffl" originally referred to a groove or channel, and later came to mean "rifle" due to the grooves in the barrel. | |||
Rifle in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | вінтоўка | ||
| "Вінтоўка" in Belarusian also means "screw" and is related to the word "вінт" (screw). | |||
| Bosnian | puška | ||
| The word "puška" also means "cannon" in Bosnian. | |||
| Bulgarian | пушка | ||
| The word "пушка" can also refer to a cannon or any other large weapon | |||
| Czech | puška | ||
| The word "puška" is derived from the German word "büchse", meaning "box" or "case". | |||
| Estonian | püss | ||
| "Püss" is also used figuratively in Estonian to mean a "tough guy" or a "bully". | |||
| Finnish | kivääri | ||
| The word "kivääri" is derived from the German word "gewehr", meaning "weapon". | |||
| Hungarian | puska | ||
| Hungarian word "puska" (rifle) is derived from Turkish word "bucuk" (short gun). | |||
| Latvian | šautene | ||
| "Šautene" originates from the German word "Schützen" meaning "to shoot". | |||
| Lithuanian | šautuvas | ||
| The word "šautuvas" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *skeud-, meaning "to throw" or "to shoot". | |||
| Macedonian | пушка | ||
| The word "пушка" can also refer to a type of cannon in Macedonian. | |||
| Polish | karabin | ||
| The word "karabin" comes from the Turkish word "karabina", meaning "black rifle". | |||
| Romanian | puşcă | ||
| Puşcă, which also means "gunpowder", could be rooted in Slavic dialects or in ancient words signifying "tube" and "reed". | |||
| Russian | винтовка | ||
| "Винтовка" в русском языке имеет также разговорное значение - "бутылка вина, водки или пива." | |||
| Serbian | пушка | ||
| The Serbian word 'пушка' can also refer to a cannon or gun. | |||
| Slovak | puška | ||
| The word "puška" in Slovak is derived from the Czech word "puška", which means "gun". | |||
| Slovenian | puško | ||
| The word 'puška' in Slovenian can also refer to a tube or pipe, or a tool for cleaning fireplaces. | |||
| Ukrainian | гвинтівка | ||
| "Гвинтівка" is derived from the Ukrainian word "гвинт" (screw), referring to the spiral grooves in the barrel that impart spin to the bullet. | |||
Rifle in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | রাইফেল | ||
| ব্যঞ্জনবর্ণ বুলিয়ে বেগবান বন্দুকের নল বোঝাতেও 'রাইফেল' শব্দ ব্যবহৃত হয়। | |||
| Gujarati | રાઈફલ | ||
| The term "રાઈફલ" is also used to describe the furrows or grooves that are cut into the bore of a gun barrel. | |||
| Hindi | राइफल | ||
| The Hindi word "राइफल" (rifle) is ultimately derived from the German word "riffeln," meaning "to groove" or "to channel," referring to the grooves cut into the bore of a rifle barrel. | |||
| Kannada | ರೈಫಲ್ | ||
| "ರೈಫಲ್" (rifle) is derived from the Middle Dutch, Middle Low German word "riffel" meaning groove, which in turn may derive from the High German "riefe" meaning scratch, furrow, line or streak. | |||
| Malayalam | റൈഫിൾ | ||
| The word "റൈഫിൾ" in Malayalam derives from English and can also mean an object that is twisted or spiralled. | |||
| Marathi | रायफल | ||
| The word 'रायफल' derives from the Dutch word 'geweer', meaning 'firearm'. | |||
| Nepali | राइफल | ||
| "राइफल" (rifle in English) comes from the 16th-century German "büchse", meaning a box or gun. | |||
| Punjabi | ਰਾਈਫਲ | ||
| The word "ਰਾਈਫਲ" (rifle) in Punjabi is also used to refer to a gun with a spiral groove inside the barrel, which imparts a spin to the bullet, improving accuracy. | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | රයිෆලය | ||
| The word "රයිෆලය" (rifle) in Sinhala is derived from the Dutch word "roer", meaning "barrel" or "firearm". | |||
| Tamil | துப்பாக்கி | ||
| Telugu | రైఫిల్ | ||
| The word "రైఫిల్" (rifle) in Telugu derives from the Dutch word "riffelen", meaning "to groove" or "to make grooves", referring to the helical grooves cut into the barrel of a rifle. | |||
| Urdu | رائفل | ||
| "رائفل" is also the word for "looter" in Urdu and its first attested use in that sense was in 1870. | |||
Rifle in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 步枪 | ||
| 步枪 (pronounced 'bùqiāng') literally means 'foot gun', and can also refer to an infantry firearm or the person carrying it. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 步槍 | ||
| 步 in 步槍 is a component of 跋, meaning to advance with effort, while 槍 refers to a spear. | |||
| Japanese | ライフル | ||
| "ライフル" is a loanword from the English word "rifle" and also means "a tube used to fill ink or other liquid into a container" | |||
| Korean | 소총 | ||
| 소총 ('rifle') literally means 'small gun' in Korean and is often used to refer to any type of firearm. | |||
| Mongolian | винтов | ||
| "Винтов" (meaning "rifle" in English) is derived from the Russian word "винт" (meaning "screw") due to the rifle's distinctive helical rifling. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | ရိုင်ဖယ် | ||
| The word "ရိုင်ဖယ်" is derived from the Dutch word "riiffel", meaning "groove", referring to the rifling in the barrel that imparts spin to the bullet. | |||
Rifle in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | senapan | ||
| The Indonesian word "senapan" is derived from the Arabic word "sinf", meaning "rank" or "row", and refers to the use of rifles in military formations. | |||
| Javanese | bedhil | ||
| The word 'bedhil' in Javanese can also refer to a cannon or a firearm in general, and it is thought to have originated from the Sanskrit word 'bedi' meaning 'noise' or 'explosion'. | |||
| Khmer | កាំភ្លើង | ||
| Lao | ປືນ | ||
| The Lao word "ປືນ" can also refer to a cannon or gun, or to the process of firing a gun. | |||
| Malay | senapang | ||
| The word "senapang" is thought to have originated from the Sanskrit word "senapathi," meaning "army commander" or "general," and was later used to refer to the weapon carried by soldiers. | |||
| Thai | ปืนไรเฟิล | ||
| "ปืนไรเฟิล" is ultimately derived from the German word "riffel" meaning "groove," referring to the grooves cut into the gun barrel. | |||
| Vietnamese | súng trường | ||
| The word "súng trường" comes from the Chinese word "枪枪", which originally meant "a spear or long weapon". | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | riple | ||
Rifle in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | tüfəng | ||
| "Tüfeng" is a word of Persian origin that was first used as a synonym for "musket" in the 16th century. | |||
| Kazakh | мылтық | ||
| The word "мылтық" can also refer to a "gun" or a "firearm" in Kazakh. | |||
| Kyrgyz | мылтык | ||
| The word "мылтык" derives from the Turkic word "mıltiq" meaning "arrow" or "crossbow". | |||
| Tajik | туфангча | ||
| The word "туфангча" in Tajik is derived from the Persian word "تفنگچه" (tofangche) and ultimately from the Turkish word "tüfek" (rifle). | |||
| Turkmen | tüpeň | ||
| Uzbek | miltiq | ||
| The word "miltiq" is also a poetic word for "lightning" or "thunderbolt" in Uzbek. | |||
| Uyghur | مىلتىق | ||
Rifle in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | pu raifela | ||
| Pu raifela, a term for the rifle, is a combination of two Hawaiian terms – “pū,” meaning a weapon or gun and “laifela,” derived from the English word “rifle.”. | |||
| Maori | raiwhara | ||
| The word 'raiwhara' originally meant 'a weapon for discharging arrows' before guns were introduced to Maori. | |||
| Samoan | fana | ||
| The Samoan word "fana" is also used in other Polynesian languages, such as Tongan, meaning "bow and arrow". | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | rifle | ||
| In Tagalog, 'rifle' also means 'to shuffle cards' | |||
Rifle in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | rifle ukax wali ch’amawa | ||
| Guarani | fusil rehegua | ||
Rifle in International Languages
| Esperanto | fusilo | ||
| The word "fusilo" in Esperanto can also mean "spout" or "gutter". | |||
| Latin | diripiat | ||
| The Latin term **diripiat** originates from **rapere**, which can mean not only 'to plunder' or 'to rob', but also 'to carry off', and 'to hasten' | |||
Rifle in Others Languages
| Greek | τουφέκι | ||
| The word "τουφέκι" comes from the Turkish word "tüfek", meaning gun. The word is also used figuratively in Greek to refer to a difficult situation or task. | |||
| Hmong | phom | ||
| In the Hmong language, "phom" refers to both a rifle and a type of crossbow traditionally used for hunting. | |||
| Kurdish | tiving | ||
| In Kurdish, the word "tiving" can also mean "firearm" or "gun." | |||
| Turkish | tüfek | ||
| "Tüfek" also means "matchlock gun" in Turkish. | |||
| Xhosa | umpu | ||
| The word "umpu" in Xhosa, originally meaning "gun," is derived from the Zulu word for "firearm." | |||
| Yiddish | ביקס | ||
| In Yiddish, "ביקס" (bixs) also means "cannon" or "artillery", derived from the Old High German "buhsa". | |||
| Zulu | isibhamu | ||
| The word 'isibhamu' can refer to a musket or a cannon in some old Zulu texts. | |||
| Assamese | ৰাইফল | ||
| Aymara | rifle ukax wali ch’amawa | ||
| Bhojpuri | राइफल के बा | ||
| Dhivehi | ރައިފަލް އެވެ | ||
| Dogri | राइफल | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | riple | ||
| Guarani | fusil rehegua | ||
| Ilocano | riple | ||
| Krio | rayf we dɛn kin yuz | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | تفەنگ | ||
| Maithili | राइफल | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯔꯥꯏꯐꯜ ꯇꯧꯕꯥ꯫ | ||
| Mizo | rifle a ni | ||
| Oromo | qawwee | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ରାଇଫଲ | ||
| Quechua | fusil | ||
| Sanskrit | बन्दुकम् | ||
| Tatar | мылтык | ||
| Tigrinya | ሽጉጥ | ||
| Tsonga | xibamu xa xibamu | ||