Shade in different languages

Shade in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

Shade is a simple word with a multitude of meanings and significance. It can refer to the shadow cast by an object, a cool respite from the sun, or a subtle hint of criticism. Culturally, shade has a rich history, often symbolizing protection, mystery, or even death in various mythologies and literature. For language enthusiasts, understanding the translation of 'shade' in different languages can offer a fascinating glimpse into cultural nuances.

For instance, in Spanish, 'shade' translates to 'sombra'. In French, it's 'ombre', while in German, it's 'Schatten'. These translations not only help us navigate language barriers but also reveal how different cultures perceive and value this concept.

Moreover, the word 'shade' has been creatively used in expressions such as 'shade throwing', a form of subtle insult, or 'shady', referring to something suspicious or dubious. Understanding these cultural and linguistic nuances can enrich our communication and foster a deeper connection with people from different backgrounds.

Join us as we explore the translations of 'shade' in various languages, from the romantic Italian 'ombra' to the Russian 'ten' via the Japanese 'kage'. This journey will not only enhance your vocabulary but also provide a captivating exploration of cultural diversity.

Shade


Shade in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansskaduwee
Skaduwee is also an old word for an umbrella.
Amharicጥላ
The word "ጥላ" can also refer to a protective covering, such as an umbrella or a hat.
Hausainuwa
Hausa 'inuwa' for 'shade' may be related to the word 'inuwar', which refers to a place of shelter or protection.
Igbondo
Igbo scholars believe "ndo" may mean "to cover" or "to obstruct" as it derives from the verb "ndu" (cover, obstruct).
Malagasyalokaloka
The Malagasy word "alokaloka" can also mean "privacy" or "seclusion."
Nyanja (Chichewa)mthunzi
Mthunzi can also mean a 'secret' or 'confidential information'.
Shonamumvuri
The word 'mumvuri' in Shona originated from the Proto-Bantu word '*mùfùri', meaning 'darkness' or 'night'.
Somalihooska
Hooska is also used figuratively to mean
Sesothomoriti
In Sesotho, "moriti" is also used in other contexts to refer to "darkness" or "ignorance."
Swahilikivuli
Kivuli also means 'a ghost' or 'soul' in Swahili.
Xhosaumthunzi
The word "umthunzi" originally referred to the shadow of a mountain or hill, and only later came to mean "shade" in general.
Yorubaiboji
The word 'iboji' is a homonym in Yoruba, where it can alternately mean 'shade' when referring to objects or locations, or a 'mark' when referring to people.
Zuluumthunzi
'Umthunzi' also refers to a place beneath the eaves or under a roof of a hut.
Bambaraka dibi don
Ewevɔvɔli
Kinyarwandaigicucu
Lingalaelili
Lugandaokusiiga
Sepedimoriti
Twi (Akan)sum

Shade in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicالظل
The word 'ظل' has two alternate meanings, 'darkness' and 'protection,' originating from two different Arabic roots
Hebrewצֵל
The origin of the word “צֵל” (shade) is likely a derivative of the root צלל which means “to dive”.
Pashtoسیوري
The word "سیوري" means "shadow" in Pashto and is derived from the Persian word "سایه".
Arabicالظل
The word 'ظل' has two alternate meanings, 'darkness' and 'protection,' originating from two different Arabic roots

Shade in Western European Languages

Albanianhije
The Albanian word "hije" derives from the Proto-Albanian form *ḫīya and is cognate with Latin "hiems" (winter), Greek "χείμα" (khéima) (winter), and Avestan "zaya" (winter).
Basqueitzala
Basque “itzala” is related to “itzi” (“dark”) and was probably influenced by the Latin word “oculus”.”}
Catalanombra
The Catalan word "ombra" also means "shadow", "darkness", or "phantom".
Croatianhlad
The Croatian word "hlad" is also used to refer to a cooler or refrigerator.
Danishskygge
The Danish word "skygge" also means "shadow" or "figure".
Dutchschaduw
The Dutch word schaduw shares a root with the English shadow and German Schatten
Englishshade
"Shade" derives from the Old English "scadw" meaning "shadow" or "shelter," but it can also refer to a place for shade, a gradual variation in color, or an expression of emotion.
Frenchombre
"Ombre" also means "shadow" in French.
Frisianskaad
"Skaad" can also mean "shadow" or "darkness" in Frisian.
Galiciansombra
In Galician, "sombra" can also mean "ghost" or "spectre".
Germanschatten
Schatten is derived from Proto-Germanic *skettaną, meaning "to project, to shoot out" and is related to Sanskrit chāyā meaning "shade, shadow."
Icelandicskugga
The Icelandic word "skugga" derives from the Old Norse word "skuggi", which means "shadow", "obscurity", or "darkness".
Irishscáth
The word "scáth" also means "protection" or "shelter" in Irish, reflecting its role as a barrier against the sun's rays.
Italianombra
"Ombra" also means "mannequin" and "shadow" in Italian.
Luxembourgishschied
The word "Schied" can also refer to a veil worn by women as part of mourning attire.
Maltesedell
The Maltese word "dell" can also refer to a valley or a meadow.
Norwegianskygge
The word "skygge" is derived from the Old Norse word "skuggi", meaning "shadow" or "darkness", and is related to the English word "shadow".
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)sombra
Sombra's original Latin root 'umbra' also refers to the region on a sundial that doesn't receive sunlight.
Scots Gaelicsgàil
In Old Irish, "sgàil" also had the meaning of "reflection".
Spanishsombra
Sombra, meaning 'shade' in Spanish, has the alternate meanings of 'phantom' and 'dark figure' in Spanish folk culture.
Swedishskugga
"Skugga" in Swedish comes from the Old Norse word "skuggi", which means "shadow" or "darkness".
Welshcysgod
The word "cysgod" also has the alternate meaning of "ghost".

Shade in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianцень
"Цень" also means "shadow" in Old Belarusian, while in modern Belarusian it means "shade", "shadow", or "darkness".
Bosniansjena
It also refers to an old monetary unit used in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bulgarianсянка
The word "сянка" has been used in Bulgarian since the 14th century, and is cognate with the Russian word "тень" (ten'), meaning "shadow."
Czechodstín
The word "odstín" also means "shadow", "hue", or "nuance" in Czech.
Estonianvarju
In Estonian, the word "varju" also means "refuge" or "protection," reflecting its original sense of "that which covers or protects."
Finnishsävy
Sävy (shade) can also refer to "hue" or "color" in Finnish.
Hungarianárnyék
Árnyék shares a root with the verb 'árnyékol', meaning 'to shade', or 'to obscure', and the word 'árnyalat', meaning 'tone' or 'hue', giving insights into its semantic field.
Latvianēna
"Ēna" can also refer to ghosts in Latvian, reflecting a belief that ghosts are shadows of the deceased.
Lithuanianatspalvis
The word "atspalvis" also means "tint" or "reflection" in Lithuanian.
Macedonianсенка
The word "сенка" can also refer to a type of mushroom, or to the shadow of a tree.
Polishcień
In Polish, "cień" also refers to a silhouette, trace, or a ghost.
Romanianumbră
The Romanian word "umbră" also has the meaning of "ghost or spirit" in literary language and folklore.
Russianтень
"Тень" can also mean "shadow" or "specter."
Serbianсена
"Сена" can also mean a type of fishnet or a small, flattish basket.
Slovaktieň
"Tieň" also means "shadow" in Slovak.
Sloveniansenca
The word "senca" is related to the Proto-Indo-European root *ḱeh₂s-, meaning "to cover" or "to protect".
Ukrainianтінь
The Ukrainian word "тінь" has been used in the sense of "spirit" since 1073 and derives from the Proto-Slavic root "*tьnь", which means "darkness, shadow, shade".

Shade in South Asian Languages

Bengaliছায়া
The word "ছায়া" also means "shadow" or "reflection" in Bengali.
Gujaratiશેડ
In English, "shade" is also a noun referring to a region or condition.
Hindiछाया
In Sanskrit, 'छाया' also means 'wife' or 'daughter'.
Kannadaನೆರಳು
The word "ನೆರಳು" (shade) in Kannada also means "coolness" or "comfort".
Malayalamതണല്
The Malayalam word "തണല്" (shade) also refers to a "place where something is hidden" or "a secret place"
Marathiसावली
The word "सावली" is also used in Marathi to refer to a "shadow", or a "phantom".
Nepaliछायाँ
The word 'छायाँ' in Nepali derives from Sanskrit, meaning both 'shade' and 'shadow'.
Punjabiਰੰਗਤ
The Punjabi word "ਰੰਗਤ" also refers to the appearance of a person's skin.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)සෙවන
In Sinhalese, "සෙවන" also means "shelter" or "protection".
Tamilநிழல்
The Tamil word `நிழல்` (shade) is cognate with the Sanskrit word `निशा` (night), both deriving from the Proto-Indo-European root `*nekʷt-` "night".
Teluguనీడ
The word "నీడ" in Telugu also means "the form of an object cast on a surface by the interception of light, a shadow".
Urduسایہ
The word 'سایہ' can also mean 'protection' or 'shelter', and is likely derived from the Sanskrit word 'छाया' (chhāyā), meaning 'shadow'.

Shade in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)阴影
阴影 (yīnyǐng) also refers to the dark side of a person or situation in Chinese culture.
Chinese (Traditional)陰影
陰影 can also mean 'secret,' while 影 alone can mean 'influence' or 'ghost'.
Japaneseシェード
'シェード' (shade) can originally mean 'blinds', 'lamp shade', or 'hat'.
Korean그늘
"그늘" also means "a person with little power or influence" or "a back-up."
Mongolianсүүдэр
In Mongolian, the word 'сүүдэр' can also refer to an umbrella or a canopy.
Myanmar (Burmese)အရိပ်
In Burmese folk belief, 'arrip' is also believed to refer to a spirit or entity associated with shadows or dark areas.

Shade in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiannaungan
"Naungan" is also used figuratively to mean "protection" or "support".
Javaneseiyub-iyub
The Javanese word "iyub-iyub" has the same root as "uba" which means "dark" or "shadow"
Khmerម្លប់
The word "ម្លប់" in Khmer likely derives from the Mon word "မ်ပ" (pronounced "mləp") which also means "shade".
Laoຮົ່ມ
Malaynaungan
The word "naungan" also means "protection" or "shelter" in Malay.
Thaiร่มเงา
The word "ร่มเงา" is a compound word that means "umbrella" and "shade", and is also used to describe a shelter from the sun or rain.
Vietnamesebóng râm
In Chinese, the character pair 冰 度 ("bóng râm") has the same meanings as the Vietnamese pair and also the additional meaning of "an image in a mirror"
Filipino (Tagalog)lilim

Shade in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanikölgə
The Azerbaijani word "kölgə" ultimately derives from Persian "kolāgē" which also means "companion, escort, protector, or ally".
Kazakhкөлеңке
In Kazakh, the word "көлеңке" can also mean "silhouette" or "shadow".
Kyrgyzкөлөкө
The word "көлөкө" can also be used to mean "to overshadow" or "to protect".
Tajikсоя
"Соя" (shade) in Tajik derives from the Persian word "sāye" meaning "shadow", also used as a suffix for "owner of" or "expert in"
Turkmenkölege
Uzbeksoya
The Uzbek word for "shade" is "soya," which is also the name of a type of bean.
Uyghurسايە

Shade in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianmalu
The Hawaiian word "malu" also means "to be protected or hidden" and "to be ashamed or embarrassed."
Maoriwhakamarumaru
The word “whakamarumaru” refers primarily to providing shade or sheltering, but it also carries the connotations of protection, fostering, and nurturing something or someone.
Samoanpaolo
The word 'paolo' can also refer to a type of tree or a place for relaxation.
Tagalog (Filipino)lilim
Lilim is also sometimes used to refer to ghosts or spirits believed to dwell among the living and can sometimes be seen as apparitions, hence its alternate meaning as a shade, ghost, apparition, or phantom.

Shade in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarach'amaka
Guaranita'anga

Shade in International Languages

Esperantoombro
The word "ombro" in Esperanto comes from the Latin word "umbra", which means "shadow".
Latinumbra
In Latin, "umbra" also referred to the dark region on Earth's surface during an eclipse and to the ghostly shades of the underworld.

Shade in Others Languages

Greekαπόχρωση
The word "απόχρωση" derives from the Greek word "χρώμα" (color) and the prefix "από" (from), meaning "a departure from color" or "a variation of color."
Hmongntxoov ntxoo
The word "ntxoo ntxoo" can also mean "umbrella" or "awning."
Kurdish
The word "sî" (shade) in Kurdish is derived from the Persian word "sāye" with the same meaning, and also carries the connotation of protection, support, or shelter.
Turkishgölge
"Gölge" also means "reflection" in Turkic languages, hinting at its connection to the watery darkness of a deep forest or cave.
Xhosaumthunzi
The word "umthunzi" originally referred to the shadow of a mountain or hill, and only later came to mean "shade" in general.
Yiddishשאָטן
Yiddish "שאָטן" has another meaning: "a ghost, specter, or phantom".
Zuluumthunzi
'Umthunzi' also refers to a place beneath the eaves or under a roof of a hut.
Assameseছাঁ পৰা ঠাই
Aymarach'amaka
Bhojpuriछेंह
Dhivehiހިޔާ
Dogriछां
Filipino (Tagalog)lilim
Guaranita'anga
Ilocanolinong
Kriokɔba
Kurdish (Sorani)سێبەر
Maithiliछाया
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯃꯔꯨꯝ
Mizodaihlim
Oromogaaddisa
Odia (Oriya)ଛାଇ
Quechuallantu
Sanskritछाया
Tatarкүләгә
Tigrinyaፅላል
Tsongandzhuti

Click on a letter to browse words starting with that letter

Weekly TipWeekly Tip

Deepen your understanding of global issues by looking at keywords in multiple languages.

Immerse Yourself in the World of Languages

Type in any word and see it translated into 104 languages. Where possible, you'll also get to hear its pronunciation in languages your browser supports. Our goal? To make exploring languages straightforward and enjoyable.

How to use our multi-language translation tool

How to use our multi-language translation tool

Turn words into a kaleidoscope of languages in a few simple steps

  1. Start with a word

    Just type the word you're curious about into our search box.

  2. Auto-complete to the rescue

    Let our auto-complete nudge you in the right direction to quickly find your word.

  3. See and hear translations

    With a click, see translations in 104 languages and hear pronunciations where your browser supports audio.

  4. Grab the translations

    Need the translations for later? Download all the translations in a neat JSON file for your project or study.

Explore More Apps You'll Love

Exploit our Scrabble Word Finder to always stay one move ahead. It’s the tactical advantage you need for those clutch moments that define the game.

Struggle no more in search of the right words with this incredible adjective search tool. Elevate your language effortlessly.

Embark on an educational adventure to master the art of global language pronunciation with resources at your disposal.

Features section image

Features overview

  • Instant translations with audio where available

    Type in your word and get translations in a flash. Where available, click to hear how it's pronounced in different languages, right from your browser.

  • Quick find with auto-complete

    Our smart auto-complete helps you quickly find your word, making your journey to translation smooth and hassle-free.

  • Translations in 104 Languages, no selection needed

    We've got you covered with automatic translations and audio in supported languages for every word, no need to pick and choose.

  • Downloadable translations in JSON

    Looking to work offline or integrate translations into your project? Download them in a handy JSON format.

  • All free, All for you

    Jump into the language pool without worrying about costs. Our platform is open to all language lovers and curious minds.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you provide translations and audio?

It's simple! Type in a word, and instantly see its translations. If your browser supports it, you'll also see a play button to hear pronunciations in various languages.

Can I download these translations?

Absolutely! You can download a JSON file with all the translations for any word, perfect for when you're offline or working on a project.

What if I can't find my word?

We're constantly growing our list of 3000 words. If you don't see yours, it might not be there yet, but we're always adding more!

Is there a fee to use your site?

Not at all! We're passionate about making language learning accessible to everyone, so our site is completely free to use.