Shoe in Different Languages
Discover 'Shoe' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
Shoes are more than just a practical necessity - they are a cultural symbol with a rich history. From ancient Egyptian sandals to modern-day sneakers, shoes have evolved in design and significance over centuries. They protect our feet, provide comfort during our daily activities, and even express our personal style. But did you know that the word for 'shoe' varies greatly across different languages?
For instance, in Spanish, 'shoe' is 'zapato'. In French, it's 'chaussure'. In German, it's 'Schuh'. In Russian, it's 'обувь' (obuv'). In Japanese, it's '靴' (kutsu). In Chinese, it's '鞋子' (xiēzi). Understanding these translations can open up a world of cultural exchange and understanding.
So why should you care about the translation of 'shoe' in different languages? Knowing these terms can enrich your travel experiences, broaden your linguistic abilities, and deepen your appreciation for global diversity. Below, we've compiled a list of 'shoe' translations in various languages. Explore, learn, and enjoy!
Shoe
Shoe in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | skoen | ||
| The word "skoen" in Afrikaans is derived from the Dutch word "schoen" and also refers to a playing card in a deck of cards. | |||
| Amharic | ጫማ | ||
| The word "ጫማ" (shoe) derives from the Proto-Semitic root "*ṣʿm" meaning "to stride, tread upon". | |||
| Hausa | takalma | ||
| The word "takalma" in Hausa language is derived from the Arabic word "taqallida" meaning "to put on". | |||
| Igbo | akpụkpọ ụkwụ | ||
| The word 'akpụkpọ ụkwụ' can also refer to the sound made by shoes when walking on a hard surface. | |||
| Malagasy | kiraro | ||
| Kiraro, the Malagasy word for shoe, is derived from the Arabic word 'khizra' meaning slipper. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | nsapato | ||
| The word "nsapato" is derived from the Portuguese word "sapato", originally meaning "slipper" or "sandal". | |||
| Shona | shangu | ||
| The Shona word "shangu" is also used to refer to a "hoof" or "sandal." | |||
| Somali | kabo | ||
| "Kabo" can also refer to a type of traditional Somali dance. | |||
| Sesotho | seeta | ||
| The word "seeta" in Sesotho also refers to a foot, a path, or a footprint. | |||
| Swahili | kiatu | ||
| "Kiatu" is a Swahili term derived from the Bantu root "-tu" meaning "foot", suggesting its original meaning as "footwear". | |||
| Xhosa | isihlangu | ||
| 'Isihlangu' literally translates to 'the grass that hides'. | |||
| Yoruba | bata | ||
| "Bata" in Yoruba can refer to a single shoe or a pair of shoes, and is also used as a salutation for a chief or elder. | |||
| Zulu | isicathulo | ||
| In addition to its meaning as a type of footwear, the word "isicathulo" can also be used to refer to a shield or a protective charm in Zulu culture. | |||
| Bambara | sanbara | ||
| Ewe | afɔkpa | ||
| Kinyarwanda | inkweto | ||
| Lingala | sapato | ||
| Luganda | engatto | ||
| Sepedi | seeta | ||
| Twi (Akan) | mpaboa | ||
Shoe in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | حذاء | ||
| The word 'حذاء' also refers to a type of musical instrument, such as a tambourine or drum. | |||
| Hebrew | נַעַל | ||
| The word "נַעַל" can also refer to a sandal or a slipper. | |||
| Pashto | بوټونه | ||
| The word "بوټونه" in Pashto can also refer to the sole of a shoe or a boot. | |||
| Arabic | حذاء | ||
| The word 'حذاء' also refers to a type of musical instrument, such as a tambourine or drum. | |||
Shoe in Western European Languages
| Albanian | këpucëve | ||
| The word "këpucëve" in Albanian comes from the Latin word "calceus," meaning "shoe" or "boot". | |||
| Basque | zapata | ||
| Zapata is the Spanish word for "shoe" but also means "sand" in Basque. | |||
| Catalan | sabata | ||
| In Catalan, "sabata" can also refer to a wooden structure used in viticulture and footwear made of esparto grass as an alternative to "espardenya". | |||
| Croatian | cipela | ||
| The word 'cipela' in Croatian originally referred to a flat, leather slipper worn by peasants. | |||
| Danish | sko | ||
| In Norwegian and Swedish the word "sko" means "forest", and the related verb "skoge" is "to walk in the forest". | |||
| Dutch | schoen | ||
| The Dutch word "schoen" can also refer to a type of boat, typically a flat-bottomed wooden vessel used for fishing or recreation. | |||
| English | shoe | ||
| The word "shoe" has a Middle English derivation from the Old English word "scōh", which referred specifically to a leather overshoe worn atop other footwear. | |||
| French | chaussure | ||
| The word 'chaussure' comes from the Latin word 'calciatura', which means 'footwear', and is related to the word 'cale' meaning 'heel'. | |||
| Frisian | skuon | ||
| In Old Frisian, 'skuon' also referred to a type of wooden clog worn by women and children. | |||
| Galician | zapato | ||
| In Galician, "zapato" can also mean "footprint" or "hoofprint". | |||
| German | schuh | ||
| In German, "Schuh" can also refer to a unit of length (about 30 cm), derived from the length of a shoe. | |||
| Icelandic | skór | ||
| The word 'skór' used to refer to the leather covering on the feet of farm animals. | |||
| Irish | bróg | ||
| The Irish word 'bróg' can also refer to a type of traditional Irish footwear worn by men, similar to a moccasin. | |||
| Italian | scarpa | ||
| The word "scarpa" in Italian derives from the Proto-Germanic word "skōh" or "skōx," meaning "shoe" or "footwear." | |||
| Luxembourgish | schong | ||
| The word "Schong" is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "*skōhaz" and is related to the English word "shoe". In Luxembourgish, "Schong" can also refer to a type of foot covering like a slipper or sandal. | |||
| Maltese | żarbun | ||
| The word "żarbun" is derived from the Sicilian word "scarparu" meaning "shoemaker" or "shoe shop". | |||
| Norwegian | sko | ||
| The word 'sko' is derived from the Old Norse word 'skór', and also means 'forest' in Norwegian. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | sapato | ||
| In Brazil, "sapato" can also refer to a shoebox, while in Portugal it may signify a single shoe rather than a pair. | |||
| Scots Gaelic | bròg | ||
| Bròg is also a general term used to mean footwear in general (e.g. wellington boots), and even in some contexts can mean hosiery. | |||
| Spanish | zapato | ||
| The word "zapato" comes from the Arabic word "sabat", meaning "shoe" or "sandal". | |||
| Swedish | sko | ||
| The word "sko" in Swedish also means "wood" or "forest". | |||
| Welsh | esgid | ||
| The Welsh word "esgid" ultimately comes from the Latin "excaligeus", meaning "footwear". | |||
Shoe in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | чаравік | ||
| The word "чаравік" also refers to a type of traditional Belarusian winter boot made of leather or felt. | |||
| Bosnian | cipela | ||
| The word "cipela" in Bosnian comes from the Proto-Slavic word *čerevь, meaning "footwear". | |||
| Bulgarian | обувка | ||
| Обувка is derived from the Old Slavonic root | |||
| Czech | boty | ||
| It is a diminutive form of bota, which means "ankle boot" or "knee-high boot". It also has alternate meanings such as a "shoe", "boot", or "footwear". | |||
| Estonian | king | ||
| The Estonian word for "shoe", "king", originates from the German word "Schuh", meaning "footwear". | |||
| Finnish | kenkä | ||
| In Finnish, 'kenkä' can also refer to a foot or a shoemaker. | |||
| Hungarian | cipő | ||
| The word "cipő" is derived from the Proto-Turkic word "*çïbïg" meaning "shoe, covering for the foot". | |||
| Latvian | apavu | ||
| The word "apavu" in Latvian has roots in Middle High German and Slavic languages, likely referring to leather footwear. | |||
| Lithuanian | batas | ||
| The word "batas" originally meant "leg covering" and is related to the word "batai" ("boots") in Latvian. | |||
| Macedonian | чевли | ||
| In Old Church Slavonic, "чевли" also meant "leg covering" or "footcloth". | |||
| Polish | but | ||
| In addition to its primary meaning of 'shoe', the Polish word 'but' can also refer to a type of ankle-high boot worn by traditional highlanders, or a hole made in the ground for storing vegetables over winter. | |||
| Romanian | pantof | ||
| The word "pantof" has an alternate meaning in Romanian as "slipper". | |||
| Russian | обувь | ||
| Обувь means not only footwear in Russian. It could also refer to the iron band around a wheel or the sole of a ski. | |||
| Serbian | ципела | ||
| The word "ципела" (tsipela) in Serbian comes from the Turkish word "ispinela", which in turn comes from the Italian word "scarpino". | |||
| Slovak | topánka | ||
| The word "topánka" stems from the Proto-Slavic word "*topati", meaning "to stamp or trample". | |||
| Slovenian | čevelj | ||
| The Slovenian word "čevelj" may originate from the Proto-Slavic word *červьlь, meaning "worm" or "maggot", possibly referring to the shape of early footwear made of animal hide. | |||
| Ukrainian | взуття | ||
| The Ukrainian word "взуття" can also refer to any type of footwear, including boots, sandals, and slippers. | |||
Shoe in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | জুতো | ||
| In the dialect of East Bengal, | |||
| Gujarati | જૂતા | ||
| This word comes from Sanskrit 'upajanta' and also means 'a step' or 'tread'. | |||
| Hindi | जूता | ||
| The term "जूता" is also used in Hindi to refer to a style of wrestling in which the combatants wear large, heavy shoes. | |||
| Kannada | ಶೂ | ||
| "ಶೂ" is also used in Kannada to describe the sound of someone coughing or sneezing. | |||
| Malayalam | ഷൂ | ||
| ഷൂ is also used in Malayalam for different types of footwear, including sandals, slippers, and boots. | |||
| Marathi | बूट | ||
| Originally, the Marathi word "बूट" meant a type of ankle-length leather shoe | |||
| Nepali | जुत्ता | ||
| The word 'जुत्ता' ('shoe') is derived from the Sanskrit 'yuja', meaning 'to join' or 'to fit', referring to its purpose of covering and protecting the feet. | |||
| Punjabi | ਜੁੱਤੀ | ||
| The word "ਜੁੱਤੀ" (jutti) can also refer to a type of traditional Punjabi footwear that is often embroidered and has a pointed toe. | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | සපත්තු | ||
| The Sinhala word "සපත්තු" (shoe) originates from the Sanskrit word "पादुका" (footwear), and its alternate meaning is "a cover for the foot" | |||
| Tamil | ஷூ | ||
| The word "ஷூ" can also refer to a type of sweet made from lentils and jaggery in Tamil. | |||
| Telugu | షూ | ||
| The Telugu word "షూ" (shoe) also means "shoot" in English, highlighting the close connection between footwear and the act of aiming and firing a weapon. | |||
| Urdu | جوتا | ||
| The word 'جوتا' can also refer to a 'pair' or 'set' of something, not just a single shoe. | |||
Shoe in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 鞋子 | ||
| "鞋" means "evil" in its early form, and "evil" and "shoes" are homophonic in Chinese. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 鞋子 | ||
| "鞋" (traditional Chinese character for "shoe") shares the same etymology as "協", meaning "to cooperate" or "to work together". | |||
| Japanese | 靴 | ||
| In Japanese, the word "靴" is written using the same Chinese character used for "leg", which represents the foot covering the ground. | |||
| Korean | 구두 | ||
| The Korean word '구두' originated from Mandarin Chinese, where it refers to a type of fabric shoe. | |||
| Mongolian | гутал | ||
| The word "гутал" also means "boot" in Mongolian. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | ဖိနပ် | ||
| "ဖိနပ်" is also the name of an ancient type of shoe in Myanmar that covered the entire foot and was worn by royalty and officials. | |||
Shoe in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | sepatu | ||
| "Sepatu" is borrowed from the Portuguese word "sapato" and originally meant "slipper". | |||
| Javanese | sepatu | ||
| In Javanese, the word 'sepatu' is derived from Sanskrit 'sapatu', meaning 'covering for the foot'. | |||
| Khmer | ស្បែកជើង | ||
| The word "ស្បែកជើង" literally means "foot shell" in Khmer, reflecting the protective function of shoes. | |||
| Lao | ເກີບ | ||
| The word "ເກີບ" in Lao can also refer to a type of Lao slipper or sandal. | |||
| Malay | kasut | ||
| "Kasut" in Malay is derived from the Indian Sanskrit word "khādu", which refers to a type of wooden sandal or clog. | |||
| Thai | รองเท้า | ||
| The word "รองเท้า" is derived from the Sanskrit word "rangavat", meaning "footwear". | |||
| Vietnamese | giày | ||
| Giày in Vietnamese derives from the Chinese word 'shoe' (鞋) pronounced as hài and is a homophone for the Vietnamese word 'falsehood' (gỉa)'. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | sapatos | ||
Shoe in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | ayaqqabı | ||
| "Ayaqqabı" comes from the Persian word "ayakh" and "kab". | |||
| Kazakh | аяқ киім | ||
| The Kazakh word "аяқ киім" also means "footwear" in English. | |||
| Kyrgyz | бут кийим | ||
| The word "бут кийим" in Kyrgyz also refers to a traditional type of Kyrgyz boot made of leather and felt. | |||
| Tajik | пойафзол | ||
| The Tajik word "пойафзол" shares the same root with "paypo" (heel), "pay" (leg) and "afzal" (more superior), and figuratively means "that which covers the more superior part of the leg." | |||
| Turkmen | köwüş | ||
| Uzbek | poyabzal | ||
| "Poyabzal" in Uzbek means "that which covers the foot" and also refers to a type of leather shoe, "charoq". | |||
| Uyghur | ئاياغ | ||
Shoe in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | kāmaʻa kāmaʻa | ||
| The word "kāmaʻa kāmaʻa" can also refer to the wooden handles used to lift calabashes in traditional Hawaiian cooking. | |||
| Maori | hu | ||
| In Māori, the word | |||
| Samoan | seevae | ||
| Seevae can also refer to shoes, slippers, sandals, or any type of footwear in Samoan. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | sapatos | ||
| The Tagalog "sapatos" originated from Spanish "zapatos" which came from the French "sabot" (wooden clog) | |||
Shoe in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | zapato uñt’ayaña | ||
| Guarani | sapatu rehegua | ||
Shoe in International Languages
| Esperanto | ŝuo | ||
| The word "ŝuo" derives from the French word "soulier", meaning "shoe". | |||
| Latin | calceus | ||
| The word "calceus" can also refer to a type of footwear worn by Roman gladiators. | |||
Shoe in Others Languages
| Greek | παπούτσι | ||
| The word "παπούτσι" originally meant "slipper" in Greek but has since expanded to include all types of footwear. | |||
| Hmong | txhais khau | ||
| The Hmong word for 'shoe' can also mean 'footwear' or 'boot'. | |||
| Kurdish | pêlav | ||
| The word | |||
| Turkish | ayakkabı | ||
| "Ayakkabı" comes from Persian "pāy" (foot) + Arabic "kab" (cover), lit. "foot cover". | |||
| Xhosa | isihlangu | ||
| 'Isihlangu' literally translates to 'the grass that hides'. | |||
| Yiddish | שוך | ||
| In Yiddish, "שוך" can also refer to the sound of rustling or the act of shaking something to loosen its contents. | |||
| Zulu | isicathulo | ||
| In addition to its meaning as a type of footwear, the word "isicathulo" can also be used to refer to a shield or a protective charm in Zulu culture. | |||
| Assamese | জোতা | ||
| Aymara | zapato uñt’ayaña | ||
| Bhojpuri | जूता के बा | ||
| Dhivehi | ބޫޓެވެ | ||
| Dogri | जूता | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | sapatos | ||
| Guarani | sapatu rehegua | ||
| Ilocano | sapatos | ||
| Krio | shuz we yu de yuz | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | پێڵاو | ||
| Maithili | जूता | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯖꯨꯇꯣ ꯑꯃꯥ꯫ | ||
| Mizo | pheikhawk a ni | ||
| Oromo | kophee | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ଜୋତା | ||
| Quechua | zapato | ||
| Sanskrit | जूता | ||
| Tatar | аяк киеме | ||
| Tigrinya | ጫማ | ||
| Tsonga | xihlangi | ||