Sacred in different languages

Sacred in Different Languages

Discover 'Sacred' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Sacred


Go to etymology & notes ↓
Afrikaans
heilig
Albanian
i shenjte
Amharic
ቅዱስ
Arabic
مقدس
Armenian
սուրբ
Assamese
ভয় খোৱা
Aymara
sakraru
Azerbaijani
müqəddəs
Bambara
lasirannen
Basque
sakratua
Belarusian
сакральны
Bengali
পবিত্র
Bhojpuri
पवित्र
Bosnian
sveto
Bulgarian
свещен
Catalan
sagrat
Cebuano
sagrado
Chinese (Simplified)
神圣
Chinese (Traditional)
神聖
Corsican
sacru
Croatian
sveto
Czech
posvátný
Danish
hellig
Dhivehi
ހުރުމަތްތެރި
Dogri
पवित्तर
Dutch
heilig
English
sacred
Esperanto
sankta
Estonian
püha
Ewe
si ŋuti kɔ
Filipino (Tagalog)
sagrado
Finnish
pyhä
French
sacré
Frisian
hillich
Galician
sagrado
Georgian
წმინდა
German
heilig
Greek
ιερός
Guarani
itupãrekóva
Gujarati
પવિત્ર
Haitian Creole
sakre
Hausa
mai tsarki
Hawaiian
laʻa
Hebrew
קָדוֹשׁ
Hindi
धार्मिक
Hmong
dawb ceev
Hungarian
szent
Icelandic
heilagt
Igbo
dị nsọ
Ilocano
nasantoan
Indonesian
suci
Irish
naofa
Italian
sacro
Japanese
神聖
Javanese
suci
Kannada
ಪವಿತ್ರ
Kazakh
қасиетті
Khmer
ពិសិដ្ឋ
Kinyarwanda
cyera
Konkani
पवित्र
Korean
신성한
Krio
oli
Kurdish
pîroz
Kurdish (Sorani)
پیرۆز
Kyrgyz
ыйык
Lao
ສັກສິດ
Latin
sacris
Latvian
svēts
Lingala
santu
Lithuanian
šventas
Luganda
obutukuvu
Luxembourgish
helleg
Macedonian
свето
Maithili
पवित्र
Malagasy
masina
Malay
suci
Malayalam
പവിത്രമാണ്
Maltese
sagru
Maori
tapu
Marathi
पवित्र
Meiteilon (Manipuri)
ꯑꯁꯦꯡꯕ
Mizo
serh
Mongolian
ариун
Myanmar (Burmese)
မြင့်မြတ်သည်
Nepali
पवित्र
Norwegian
hellig
Nyanja (Chichewa)
zopatulika
Odia (Oriya)
ପବିତ୍ର
Oromo
kabajamaa
Pashto
سپي
Persian
مقدس
Polish
poświęcony
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)
sagrado
Punjabi
ਪਵਿੱਤਰ
Quechua
qapaq
Romanian
sacru
Russian
священный
Samoan
paia
Sanskrit
पवित्र
Scots Gaelic
naomh
Sepedi
tšhogile
Serbian
свето
Sesotho
halalela
Shona
chitsvene
Sindhi
پاڪ
Sinhala (Sinhalese)
පූජනීය
Slovak
posvätný
Slovenian
sveto
Somali
muqaddas ah
Spanish
sagrado
Sundanese
suci
Swahili
takatifu
Swedish
helig
Tagalog (Filipino)
sagrado
Tajik
муқаддас
Tamil
புனிதமானது
Tatar
изге
Telugu
పవిత్రమైనది
Thai
ศักดิ์สิทธิ์
Tigrinya
ቕዱስ
Tsonga
kwetsima
Turkish
kutsal
Turkmen
mukaddes
Twi (Akan)
nyankosɛm
Ukrainian
священний
Urdu
مقدس
Uyghur
مۇقەددەس
Uzbek
muqaddas
Vietnamese
linh thiêng
Welsh
sanctaidd
Xhosa
ngcwele
Yiddish
הייליק
Yoruba
mimọ
Zulu
engcwele

Etymology & Notes

LanguageEtymology / Notes
AfrikaansThe Afrikaans word “heilig” originates from the German word “heilig”, which originally meant “whole” or “uninjured”.
Albanian"Shenjtë" also refers to a person who has been recognized as a saint by the Catholic Church.
AmharicThe word "ቅዱስ" is derived from the Semitic root "*q-d-š", which also means "holy" or "consecrated" in other languages such as Arabic and Hebrew.
ArabicThe word "مقدس" can also mean "clean" or "holy" in Arabic.
ArmenianThe word "սուրբ" can also mean "strong" or "powerful" in Armenian, reflecting its connection to the Zoroastrian concept of "spenta" (holy) and the Sanskrit "sur" (hero).
AzerbaijaniThe word "müqəddəs" in Azerbaijani can also mean "decent" or "chaste."
BasqueThe Basque word
BelarusianСлово "сакральны" происходит от латинского "sacrum", что означает "священный" или "неприкосновенный".
BengaliThe word 'পবিত্র' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'पवित्र' (pavitra), which means 'pure' or 'holy'.
BosnianThe word 'sveto' has Slavic origins and is cognate with other Slavic languages, where it also refers to holy or consecrated people, objects, or places.
BulgarianThe word "свещен" (sacred) in Bulgarian is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "svekъ", meaning "light" or "pure", and is also related to the words "свет" (light) and "святост" (holiness).
CatalanCatalan "sagrat" derives from Latin "sacratus", meaning "consecrated" or "holy", and is related to English "sacrosanct".
CebuanoThe word sagrado in Cebuano, which has the alternate meaning of "holy" or "inviolable," is derived from the Spanish word "sagrado," meaning "sacred" or "consecrated."
Chinese (Simplified)神圣 derives from 神 (god) and 圣 (sage), meaning "holy or sacred". It can also mean "solemn or revered".
Chinese (Traditional)神聖 can also mean 'divine', 'holy', 'sacred', or 'solemn'.
CorsicanIn Corsican, 'sacru' can also refer to 'cursed' or 'accursed'
CroatianThe Serbo-Croatian root *svet* refers to brightness, clarity, and the world as a whole, and is cognated with words for "light" in other Slavic languages.
CzechThe word "posvátný" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "svętъ" with the meaning of "separated" or "unapproachable by ordinary people".
DanishPossibly related to the Middle Low German word 'helge', meaning 'holy' or 'sacred'.
DutchThe word “heilig” in Dutch can also mean “whole” or “healthy.”
Esperanto"--sankta" is a loanword from Latin and it can also mean "saintly" or "holy" in Esperanto.
EstonianThe word "püha" in Estonian can also refer to "holiday"
Finnish"Pyhä" means "sacred" in Finnish, but it also refers to "whole" and "healthy" in the Kalevala epic.
FrenchThe French word "sacré" can also mean "damned" or "cursed" when used as a minced oath.
FrisianThe verb "halia" from which "hillich" derives can mean "to consecrate" or "to keep separate".
GalicianGalician 'sagrado' can derive from the Latin 'sacratus' but also from the Celtic 'sacar', meaning 'to venerate'.
GeorgianThe word "წმინდა" (sacred) is derived from the Proto-Kartvelian root *tʾmin- meaning "clean" or "pure".
GermanThe German word "heilig" is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "hailagaz", meaning "whole" or "uninjured".
GreekΙερός is also used to describe religious ceremonies, sacrifices, and other practices related to the divine.
GujaratiThe Gujarati word "પવિત્ર" could be related to the Sanskrit word "पवित्र," meaning "pure, clean, or undefiled."
Haitian CreoleThe word "sakre" in Haitian Creole also means "damn" and is derived from the French word "sacré".
Hausa"Mai tsarki" also has the meaning of "holy one," particularly a saint, or in some cases "sacred land," and is sometimes used with "wuri" ("land" or "place"), e.g., "wurin maitsarki" ("a place of sanctity").
HawaiianThe Hawaiian word 'laʻa' also means 'to spread' or 'to extend', suggesting a connection between the sacred and the expansive.
HebrewThe word “קָדוֹשׁ” can also mean “distinguished” or “extraordinary” and is often used in a religious context to describe something or someone worthy of special reverence or respect.
Hindi"धार्मिक" can alternatively refer to a person belonging to a particular faith.
HmongThe Hmong word 'dawb ceev' is also associated with the spirit world, as well as with the concept of purity and righteousness.
HungarianIn Hungarian, the word "szent" is cognate to the word "sāktas" in Sanskrit, signifying the sacred and sanctified.
IcelandicThe word "heilagt" can also mean "magical" or "divine" in Icelandic, showing the deep connection between the sacred and the supernatural in the culture
IgboIn certain contexts, "dị nsọ" is also used metaphorically to denote something highly valued (like the concept of "holy grail")
IndonesianThe word "suci" also means "clean" or "pure" and is cognate with the Malay word "suchi" meaning "clean", "pure", "bright", "shining", or "sacred".
IrishThe word "naofa" in Irish can also mean "saint" or "holy person".
ItalianDerived from Latin "sacer" (holy, consecrated), the word "sacro" in Italian can also mean cursed or damned.
Japanese神聖 can also refer to a divine being or a deity.
JavaneseThe Javanese word "suci" also means "clean" or "pure" and is cognate with the Sanskrit word "shuci" meaning the same.
KannadaThe word "ಪವಿತ್ರ" also means "pure" or "holy" in Kannada.
KazakhThe word "қасиетті" is derived from the Persian word "qasd", meaning "intention, purpose", and thus can also mean "holy" or "blessed."
KoreanThe word '신성한' (sacred) in Korean can also refer to something that is divine, holy, or inviolable.
KurdishThe word "pîroz" in Kurdish also means "festive" or "auspicious".
KyrgyzThe word "ыйык" is derived from the Proto-Turkic word *yïðïk, meaning "taboo" or "forbidden."
LaoThe word "ສັກສິດ" (sacred) also means "evidence" or "proof" in Lao, highlighting the belief that the sacred is supported by observable evidence.
LatinThe word "sacris" also refers to divine ceremonies, rituals, and religious rites in Latin.
Latvian"Svēts" could also refer to a holy place, a ritual, or a holiday in Proto-Baltic.
LithuanianThe word "šventas" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *h₂wen-, meaning "to win favour".
LuxembourgishThe word "helleg" likely derives from the Proto-Germanic word "*hailagaz", meaning "whole", "healthy", or "holy".
MacedonianThe word "свето" in Macedonian can also mean "light", "holy", or "divine".
MalagasyThe word 'masina' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'mahiṣa', meaning 'buffalo', which was considered a sacred animal in Madagascar.
MalayThe word 'suci' in Malay can also refer to purity, holiness, or chastity.
MalayalamThe word "പവിത്രമാണ്" in Malayalam can also refer to something that is pure, clean, or uncontaminated.
MalteseThe Maltese word "sagru" also refers to anything connected to religion, such as a priest's vestments or a relic.
MaoriThe Maori term 'tapu' encompasses a range of meanings including sacredness, prohibition, and restriction.
MarathiThe word "पवित्र" has cognates in other Indo-Aryan languages, such as "पवित्र" in Hindi and "पवित्र" in Gujarati.
MongolianThe word "ариун" also means "clean" or "pure" in Mongolian.
NepaliThe word 'pavitra' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'pavitraka', meaning a purifier or strainer.
Norwegian"Hellig" means "sacred" in Norwegian, and derives from the Old Norse word "heilagr" meaning "of or belonging to a god". It can also mean "whole" or "unbroken" in Norwegian.
Nyanja (Chichewa)The Nyanja word "zopatulika" is derived from the verb "kuopa," meaning "to worship" or "to venerate."
PashtoThe word “سپي” is derived from the words “سپ” (sacred, holy) and “اي” (suffix indicating quality or state).
PersianThe Persian word 'مقدس' may also refer to 'honorable' or 'esteemed'.
Polish"Poświęcony" also means "dedicated" in Polish, which sheds light on its original meaning of "set apart for a specific purpose."
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)"Sagrado" derives from Latin "sacer", ultimately meaning "set apart" or "hallowed".
PunjabiIn addition to its literal meaning, 'pavitara' also refers to a sacred book or scripture in Sikhism.
RomanianThe Romanian word 'sacru' is derived from the Latin 'sacer', meaning 'dedicated to a deity or set apart for religious purposes', but also 'cursed' or 'accursed'.
RussianThe Russian word "священный" ("sacred") is related to the word "связь" ("connection"), implying a connection to something divine.
SamoanThe word "paia" in Samoan is also used to describe something that is forbidden or taboo.
Scots GaelicThe word "naomh" is also used in Scots Gaelic to refer to a person who is holy or virtuous.
SerbianThe word "свето" can also mean "light" or "holy" in Serbian.
SesothoAlthough "halalela" is frequently translated as "sacred," other meanings, such as "holy," "pure," and "set apart," may also be used.
Shona"Chitsvene" can also mean "a precious, valuable, and important person or thing" in Shona.
SindhiThe word "پاڪ" can also mean "pure", "clean", or "holy" in Sindhi.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)පූජනීය is also commonly used as a term of respect for religious figures and objects, and for certain highly respected individuals.
SlovakThe Slovak word posvätný comes from the Slavic root *svęt-, meaning "holy," and is cognate with words like the Russian свято́й (svyatóy) and the Polish święty.
Slovenian"Sveto" also means "world" or "light" in Slovenian.
SomaliThe word "muqaddas ah" in Somali derives from the Arabic word "muqaddas" which means "sanctified" or "holy".
SpanishThe term "Sagrado," derived from Latin, also means consecrated, inviolable or holy.
SundaneseThe word "suci" in Sundanese can also mean "clean" or "pure".
SwahiliThe word 'takatifu' also means 'clean, pure, or sanctified' in Swahili.
SwedishThe word "helig" is derived from the Proto-Germanic word *hailagaz, meaning "whole, sound, or healthy".
Tagalog (Filipino)The Tagalog word "sagrado" means "sacred" in English, and is also used in Spanish speaking countries to mean "consecrated" or "holy".
TajikThe word “муқаддас” comes from the Arabic word “muqaddas,” which means “holy.”
ThaiThe word "ศักดิ์สิทธิ์" also means "divine" and can refer to anything related to or possessing divine power.
TurkishKutsal is also the name of a village in Turkey's Edirne Province.
Ukrainian"Священний" derives from Proto-Slavic *svętъ, related to *svętiti, meaning "to consecrate, render holy."
UrduThe word "مقدس" ("sacred") also means "a place where a person can be close to God" in Urdu.
Uzbek"Muqaddas" derives from the Arabic word "muqaddas" meaning "holy" or "consecrated" and also refers to a "shrine" or "holy place".
VietnameseThe word "Linh thiêng" is derived from the Chinese word "靈驗" (língyàn), which means "a response from the gods".
WelshThe Welsh word 'sanctaidd' comes from 'sanct' (holy) and the suffix '-aidd' meaning 'connected with'
XhosaThe word "Ngcwele" in Xhosa does not have any alternate meanings.
YiddishYiddish "הייליק" derives from Old High German "heilag" meaning "whole, healthy, holy".
Yoruba"Mimọ" in Yoruba can also refer to a ritual of consecration or to certain objects or places that are considered to be holy.
ZuluZulu 'engcwele', from the root 'gcwela', to purify, cleanse, make holy
English"Sacred" derives from the Latin sacer which referred either to something dedicated to a deity or cursed by a deity.

Click on a letter to browse words starting with that letter