Running in Different Languages
Discover 'Running' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
Running is a simple yet profound action that has captured the hearts and minds of people across cultures and time periods. It signifies movement, progress, and determination, and is often associated with freedom, strength, and endurance. From ancient marathons held in honor of Greek gods to modern-day fun runs and marathons, running holds a special place in our collective consciousness.
Moreover, the significance of running extends beyond physical activity, as it is often used metaphorically to describe success, momentum, and constant improvement. Its cultural importance is further highlighted by the various ways it is translated and integrated into different languages.
For instance, in Spanish, running is 'correr,' while in French, it is 'courir.' In German, it is 'laufen,' and in Japanese, it is 'hashiru.' Understanding these translations not only broadens our linguistic horizons but also deepens our appreciation for the cultural nuances and traditions associated with this universal activity.
So, whether you're a seasoned runner or a casual enthusiast, exploring the translations of running in different languages is a fun and enlightening way to connect with people around the world and celebrate our shared love for this timeless pursuit.
Running
Running in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | hardloop | ||
| "Hardloop" is the Afrikaans word for "running" and is derived from the Dutch "hardlopen" (literally "hard walking"). | |||
| Amharic | እየሮጠ | ||
| The term "እየሮጠ" (running) can also refer to the action of "flowing" as in the context of a river or other body of water. | |||
| Hausa | a guje | ||
| The word 'a guje' in Hausa also has a figurative meaning, referring to the act of fleeing from danger or trouble. | |||
| Igbo | na-agba ọsọ | ||
| Malagasy | mihazakazaka | ||
| The Malagasy term "mihazakazaka" also refers to a style of rhythmically beating the chest during celebratory dancing. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | kuthamanga | ||
| Shona | achimhanya | ||
| The word "achimhanya" is derived from the verb "kumhanya", which also means "to escape" or "to flee", suggesting a connection between running and fleeing or escaping danger. | |||
| Somali | ordaya | ||
| The word "ordaya" can also refer to a race or a marathon. | |||
| Sesotho | matha | ||
| The word 'matha' in Sesotho also means 'flee' or 'vanish', reflecting the urgency associated with running. | |||
| Swahili | kimbia | ||
| The word 'Kimbia' also refers to a type of traditional dance in Tanzania. | |||
| Xhosa | ukubaleka | ||
| The word 'ukubaleka' also means 'to flee' or 'to escape' in Xhosa. | |||
| Yoruba | nṣiṣẹ | ||
| The Yoruba word "nṣiṣẹ" also means "employment" or "work". | |||
| Zulu | egijima | ||
| Egijima can also mean 'to flow' in Zulu, such as water in a stream. | |||
| Bambara | boli | ||
| Ewe | le du dzi | ||
| Kinyarwanda | kwiruka | ||
| Lingala | kopota mbango | ||
| Luganda | okudduka | ||
| Sepedi | go kitima | ||
| Twi (Akan) | retu mmirika | ||
Running in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | ادارة | ||
| In Arabic "ادارة" can also mean management, direction and treatment. | |||
| Hebrew | רץ | ||
| The word 'רץ' ('running') in Hebrew is also a homonym of the word for 'runner' or 'messenger'. This double meaning is shared with many other Indo-European languages, reflecting its Proto-Indo-European origins. | |||
| Pashto | ځغليدل | ||
| The Pashto word "ځغليدل" can also refer to the act of fleeing from danger or a pursuer. | |||
| Arabic | ادارة | ||
| In Arabic "ادارة" can also mean management, direction and treatment. | |||
Running in Western European Languages
| Albanian | duke vrapuar | ||
| The Albanian word "duke vrapuar" comes from the Proto-Albanian root word "*wrep-," meaning "to run" or "to flee." | |||
| Basque | korrika egiten | ||
| The Basque phrase "korrika egiten" is a term used for the act of running, but it also translates to "to run on the road" or "to run away." | |||
| Catalan | corrent | ||
| The Catalan word “corrent” (“running”) also means “electric current”. | |||
| Croatian | trčanje | ||
| The verb 'trčati' comes from a Proto-Slavic verb meaning to "rub" or "grind" | |||
| Danish | kører | ||
| The word "kører" also means "car" or "vehicle" in Danish, likely due to the fact that cars are used for running errands or traveling. | |||
| Dutch | rennen | ||
| "Rennen" in Dutch can also refer to driving a vehicle or the running of a motor, hence the term "autorennen" (car racing). | |||
| English | running | ||
| The word 'running' has roots in Old Norse, meaning 'flowing' or 'moving water'. | |||
| French | fonctionnement | ||
| While its primary meaning is "running", "fonctionnement" can also refer to the operation or functioning of a system or machine. | |||
| Frisian | te rinnen | ||
| Its roots lie in the Old Frisian word "rinna" which means "to run" but can also refer to "flowing water", "a stream" or "a river". | |||
| Galician | correndo | ||
| In Galician, 'correndo' can also mean 'quickly'. | |||
| German | laufen | ||
| The verb "laufen" initially meant "to let go" or "to release". The meaning changed to "to run" only around the year 1800. | |||
| Icelandic | hlaupandi | ||
| 'Hlaupandi' is derived from the Old Norse verb 'hlaupa,' meaning 'to run,' and is related to the German 'laufen.' | |||
| Irish | ag rith | ||
| Ag rith also appears in the Irish word eirigh (meaning 'to rise'), which comes from the Proto-Indo-European word *h₂erēǵ- ('to rise, move'). | |||
| Italian | in esecuzione | ||
| The Italian phrase "in esecuzione" can also mean "in force" or "in effect". | |||
| Luxembourgish | lafen | ||
| "lafen" can also mean "having a meal" or "to be on the run" in Luxembourgish. | |||
| Maltese | ġiri | ||
| The word "ġiri" is derived from the Arabic word "jarā" meaning "to run" and is the basis for the word for "course" in Maltese ("ġirja"). | |||
| Norwegian | løping | ||
| "Løping" comes from Old Norse "hlaupa", which also means "to skip", and is related to English "leap" and German "laufen". | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | corrida | ||
| In Portuguese, "corrida" has the alternate meaning of "bullfighting" or "bull run." | |||
| Scots Gaelic | ruith | ||
| The word "ruith" in Scots Gaelic also refers to a period of time, such as a day, a week, or a month. | |||
| Spanish | corriendo | ||
| The verb "correr" can refer to running, flowing, or passing time. | |||
| Swedish | löpning | ||
| The word "löpning" can also refer to a type of Swedish folk dance or a type of bread dough. | |||
| Welsh | rhedeg | ||
| Rhedeg means 'run' in Welsh, but is also cognate with German 'Rad' (wheel) and English 'rode' or 'road'. | |||
Running in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | бег | ||
| The word "бег" also means "flight" or "course" in Belarusian. | |||
| Bosnian | trčanje | ||
| The verb 'trčati' comes from the Proto-Slavic word 'tьrkati', which also means 'to rub'. | |||
| Bulgarian | бягане | ||
| Бягане can also mean "escape" or "fleeing" in Bulgarian. | |||
| Czech | běh | ||
| The Czech word "běh" can also refer to the course or passage of time or events. | |||
| Estonian | jooksmine | ||
| Jooksmine, an Estonian word meaning "running," originates from the Proto-Finnic verb "juoks-," also meaning "running" and "flowing." | |||
| Finnish | käynnissä | ||
| The word "käynnissä" also means "in progress" or "active" in Finnish. | |||
| Hungarian | futás | ||
| In the expression "valamibe futni", "futás" means "to be successful at something" | |||
| Latvian | skriešana | ||
| In Latvian dialects skriešana also refers to a wooden handle used to carry pots and other objects. | |||
| Lithuanian | bėgimas | ||
| The Lithuanian word "bėgimas" can also refer to the action of escaping or fleeing. | |||
| Macedonian | трчање | ||
| In Bulgarian, the word "трчане" also means "race" or "running competition." | |||
| Polish | bieganie | ||
| Bieganie literally translates as "fleeing" or "escaping" and also refers to a "race," specifically a foot race. | |||
| Romanian | alergare | ||
| In Old Romanian, "alergare" meant "to ride a horse." | |||
| Russian | бег | ||
| The word "Бег" can also refer to a gait or a specific type of running, such as distance running or sprinting. | |||
| Serbian | трчање | ||
| The Serbian word "трчање" also has a figurative meaning, "doing errands." | |||
| Slovak | bežiaci | ||
| The root of the word "bežiaci" in Slovak, "beh-", is also used in the term "bežný" which means "usual" or "ordinary". | |||
| Slovenian | teče | ||
| The word "teče" in Slovenian also means "flows", "leaks", or "melts". | |||
| Ukrainian | біг | ||
| It comes from PIE *bʰēg- ('to flee'), cognate with Sanskrit bhayati ('fears') and Lithuanian bėgti ('run'). | |||
Running in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | চলমান | ||
| চলমান can also mean "moving", "ongoing", or "in progress". | |||
| Gujarati | ચાલી રહેલ | ||
| Hindi | दौड़ना | ||
| दौड़ना also means a race or competition. | |||
| Kannada | ಚಾಲನೆಯಲ್ಲಿದೆ | ||
| "ಚಾಲನೆಯಲ್ಲಿದೆ" is derived from Sanskrit, "chalana" or "chal" which has two meanings, "to move" which refers to running in English, or the process of "driving". | |||
| Malayalam | പ്രവർത്തിക്കുന്ന | ||
| Marathi | चालू आहे | ||
| In Marathi, "चालू आहे" also means "ongoing" or "in progress". | |||
| Nepali | चल्दै | ||
| चल्दै can also be used to describe the action of a vehicle moving forward. | |||
| Punjabi | ਚੱਲ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ | ||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | දුවනවා | ||
| දුවනවා can also mean 'to flow' (as in a river) or 'to operate' (as in a machine). | |||
| Tamil | ஓடுதல் | ||
| The Tamil word 'ஓடுதல்' can also mean 'to flow' or 'to slide'. | |||
| Telugu | నడుస్తోంది | ||
| Urdu | چل رہا ہے | ||
| In Urdu, the word "چل رہا ہے" can also refer to "working" or "progressing" when used in the context of a process or task. | |||
Running in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 跑步 | ||
| 跑步 literally means 'forced steps' in Chinese, and may refer to either running or walking depending on the context. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 跑步 | ||
| The term 跑步 literally means 'step step' but is used figuratively to mean 'run,' likely due to the iterative nature of both activities | |||
| Japanese | ランニング | ||
| ランニング derives from the English word "running" and can also mean "marathon" in Japanese. | |||
| Korean | 달리는 | ||
| The Korean word "달리는" can also mean "driving" or "flowing" depending on context. | |||
| Mongolian | гүйж байна | ||
| The verb | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | ပြေး | ||
| The word ပြေး (pyae) can also mean a type of longyi (traditional Burmese clothing). | |||
Running in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | berlari | ||
| The word | |||
| Javanese | mlaku | ||
| In the Ngapak dialect, "mlaku" can also mean "walking". | |||
| Khmer | កំពុងរត់ | ||
| កំពុងរត់ is derived from two Khmer words, meaning "moving" and "quickly or rapidly". It can also refer to someone who is actively engaged in a task or trying to escape from danger. | |||
| Lao | ແລ່ນ | ||
| The word "ແລ່ນ" also means "to go" or "to move" in Lao. | |||
| Malay | berlari | ||
| "Berlari" is derived from the Proto-Austronesian word "*baliy" meaning "to go, to move". | |||
| Thai | วิ่ง | ||
| The Thai word "วิ่ง" also has the meaning of "to move or act quickly." | |||
| Vietnamese | đang chạy | ||
| The word "đang chạy" in Vietnamese is a compound word that can also mean "is running" or "is currently happening". | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | tumatakbo | ||
Running in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | çalışan | ||
| In Azerbaijani, the word "çalışan" also means "worker" or "employee". | |||
| Kazakh | жүгіру | ||
| The word "жүгіру" (running) is derived from the Proto-Turkic root *yügür-, meaning "to run, to flee". | |||
| Kyrgyz | чуркоо | ||
| The word "чуркоо" also means "to gallop" or "to ride a horse" in Kyrgyz. | |||
| Tajik | давидан | ||
| The word "давидан" can also be used to describe the act of running or moving smoothly and quickly. | |||
| Turkmen | ylgaýar | ||
| Uzbek | yugurish | ||
| In Uzbek, the word "yugurish" also refers to a type of traditional dance accompanied by music. | |||
| Uyghur | ئىجرا بولۇۋاتىدۇ | ||
Running in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | holo ʻana | ||
| The word "holo ʻana" can also mean "to travel" or "to go" in Hawaiian. | |||
| Maori | oma | ||
| The Maori word "oma" can also refer to a path or road, reflecting its connection to the act of running or traveling. | |||
| Samoan | tamoʻe | ||
| The word "tamoʻe" can also mean "to flee" or "to escape" in Samoan. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | tumatakbo | ||
| "Tumatakbo" can also mean "to be a candidate for election" in Tagalog. | |||
Running in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | jalaña | ||
| Guarani | mbosyryha | ||
Running in International Languages
| Esperanto | kurante | ||
| The Esperanto word "kurante" is derived from the French word "courant" and can also mean "current" or "stream". | |||
| Latin | currens | ||
| "Currens" also means "flowing" in Latin. | |||
Running in Others Languages
| Greek | τρέξιμο | ||
| The word 'τρέξιμο' is derived from the verb 'τρέχω', which also means 'to pursue' or 'to hunt'. | |||
| Hmong | khiav | ||
| "Khiav" in Hmong can also refer to a particular type of Hmong folk dance. | |||
| Kurdish | dibezîn | ||
| "Dibezîn" is a present tense word that originates from "diza" meaning "run" in Old Kurdish. | |||
| Turkish | koşma | ||
| "Koşma" in Turkish can also refer to a type of folk song, particularly in the Aegean region. | |||
| Xhosa | ukubaleka | ||
| The word 'ukubaleka' also means 'to flee' or 'to escape' in Xhosa. | |||
| Yiddish | פליסנדיק | ||
| The Yiddish word "פליסנדיק" may also mean "swift" or "nimble". | |||
| Zulu | egijima | ||
| Egijima can also mean 'to flow' in Zulu, such as water in a stream. | |||
| Assamese | দৌৰা | ||
| Aymara | jalaña | ||
| Bhojpuri | धावल | ||
| Dhivehi | ދުވުން | ||
| Dogri | दौडना | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | tumatakbo | ||
| Guarani | mbosyryha | ||
| Ilocano | panagtaray | ||
| Krio | de rɔn | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | ڕاکردن | ||
| Maithili | दौड़ | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯆꯦꯜꯂꯤꯕ | ||
| Mizo | tlan | ||
| Oromo | fiiguu | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ଚାଲୁଛି | | ||
| Quechua | paway | ||
| Sanskrit | चलति | ||
| Tatar | йөгерә | ||
| Tigrinya | ምጉያይ | ||
| Tsonga | tsutsuma | ||