Show in Different Languages
Discover 'Show' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'show' holds a significant place in our vocabulary, encompassing a wide range of meanings and uses. At its core, 'show' refers to a spectacle, performance, or exhibition designed to entertain or inform. From Broadway shows to trade shows, this word has become an integral part of our cultural lexicon.
Moreover, the word 'show' has fascinating historical contexts and interesting facts associated with it. Did you know that the first recorded use of the word 'show' in English dates back to the 15th century? Or that in Old English, the word 'show' was spelled 'scēawian,' which means 'to look at'?
Understanding the translation of 'show' in different languages can provide valuable insights into the cultural nuances and linguistic differences that exist around the world. For instance, the French translation of 'show' is 'spectacle,' while in Spanish, it is 'espectáculo.' Meanwhile, in German, 'show' is translated as 'Schau,' and in Japanese, it is 'ショー (shō).'
In this article, we will explore the various translations of 'show' in different languages, shedding light on the unique cultural perspectives and linguistic traditions that shape our understanding of this versatile word.
Show
Show in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | wys | ||
| The word “Wys” derives from the 16th-century middle Dutch word | |||
| Amharic | አሳይ | ||
| "Assay", the root of "assay" in English and "አሳይ" in Amharic, means "test" in the context of alchemy and chemistry, and it was adopted into English from medieval Arabic. | |||
| Hausa | nuna | ||
| The Hausa word 'nuna' also refers to a gathering of people for a specific purpose. | |||
| Igbo | gosi | ||
| Igbo word "gosi" means "show" and is related to the verb "gosiri" (to show) and the noun "gosiputa" (display). | |||
| Malagasy | fampisehoana | ||
| "FAMPISEHOANA" also refers to any "spectacle" or "display" in Malagasy. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | onetsani | ||
| The word "onetsani" in Nyanja can also refer to a public screening or performance. | |||
| Shona | ratidza | ||
| The word 'ratidza' can also mean 'to point out' or 'to demonstrate' something. | |||
| Somali | bandhig | ||
| The word “bandhig” in Somali can also refer to an act of worship, such as prayers or recitation of Quran verses. | |||
| Sesotho | bontsha | ||
| The word "bontsha" can also mean "to reveal" or "to uncover" | |||
| Swahili | onyesha | ||
| The word "onyesha" is derived from "nyesha", meaning "reveal"} | |||
| Xhosa | umboniso | ||
| 'U' in Xhosa often denotes an infinitive form of the verb, as in 'Ukutya' for 'to eat'; the '-boni' morpheme may derive from '-bona', 'to see', as in 'ukubona' 'to watch'; thus, 'umboniso' may have originally meant 'a seeing' | |||
| Yoruba | ifihan | ||
| "Ifohan" can also refer to an event or situation in which something is revealed, displayed, or made known. | |||
| Zulu | umbukiso | ||
| "Umbukiso" is also used to refer to "education" or "exhibit" in Zulu language. | |||
| Bambara | k'a jira | ||
| Ewe | ɖe fia | ||
| Kinyarwanda | kwerekana | ||
| Lingala | kolakisa | ||
| Luganda | okulaga | ||
| Sepedi | bontšha | ||
| Twi (Akan) | da no adi | ||
Show in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | تبين | ||
| The word "تبين" can also mean "to become clear" or "to be clarified" in Arabic. | |||
| Hebrew | הופעה | ||
| הופעה (show) is also a homophone of the Hebrew word for "appearance". | |||
| Pashto | ښودل | ||
| "ښودل" means "to show" in Pashto, but it can also mean "to demonstrate" or "to explain". | |||
| Arabic | تبين | ||
| The word "تبين" can also mean "to become clear" or "to be clarified" in Arabic. | |||
Show in Western European Languages
| Albanian | shfaqje | ||
| The word "shfaqje" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *wek-, meaning "to show" or "to make visible". | |||
| Basque | ikuskizuna | ||
| The word "ikuskizuna" derives from the verb "ikusi" (to see) and the suffix "-tzuna" (quality or state), indicating the quality or state of being visible or observable. | |||
| Catalan | espectacle | ||
| The Catalan word "espectacle" comes from the Latin "spectaculum", meaning "a sight" or "something to be seen". It can also refer to a pair of eyeglasses. | |||
| Croatian | pokazati | ||
| The word "pokazati" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *k^eik- "to see". | |||
| Danish | at vise | ||
| The word "at vise" in Danish can also mean "to present" or "to demonstrate". | |||
| Dutch | tonen | ||
| The Dutch word "tonen" can also refer to a musical key or scale. | |||
| English | show | ||
| In Old English, 'show' meant 'to look' or 'to appear' | |||
| French | spectacle | ||
| The French word "spectacle" derives from the Latin "spectare", meaning "to look at", and can also refer to eyeglasses or a remarkable sight. | |||
| Frisian | sjen litte | ||
| "Sjen litte" in Frisian comes from the West Frisian phrase "sjen litte" ( | |||
| Galician | espectáculo | ||
| "Espectáculo" comes from the Latin "spectaculum", meaning "something to be seen". In Galician, it can also refer to a "spectacle" in the sense of something ridiculous or embarrassing. | |||
| German | show | ||
| The German word "Show" can also refer to a "barn" or "shed". | |||
| Icelandic | sýna | ||
| The Icelandic word "sýna" is cognate with the Old Norse "sýna" and the Old English "seon", both meaning "to show" or "to make visible." | |||
| Irish | seó | ||
| The word 'seó' in Irish, meaning 'show', is derived from the Old Irish word 'siú', meaning 'manifest' or 'display'. | |||
| Italian | mostrare | ||
| The word "mostrare" originates from Latin and also means "to demonstrate", "to indicate" or "to point out". | |||
| Luxembourgish | weisen | ||
| Luxembourgish "weisen" (show) is derived from Old High German "wīsan" (guide) and also means "guide". | |||
| Maltese | juru | ||
| The word "juru" is also used in Maltese to mean "prove" or "demonstrate". | |||
| Norwegian | vise fram | ||
| The Norwegian word "vise fram" can also mean "present" or "put forward". | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | mostrar | ||
| In Tupi, "mostrar" originally meant "to make clear, uncover." | |||
| Scots Gaelic | taisbeanadh | ||
| The verb "taisbeanadh" (show) also means "to reveal" or "to demonstrate" in Scots Gaelic. | |||
| Spanish | show | ||
| "Show" comes from the Old English word "sceawian," meaning "to look" or "to observe." | |||
| Swedish | visa | ||
| Visa can also mean "certain" or "to stay" in Swedish. | |||
| Welsh | sioe | ||
| The Welsh word "sioe" (show) derives from the Old English word "sceawe" (shadow, shade). | |||
Show in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | паказаць | ||
| The word "паказаць" can also mean "to indicate" or "to point out". | |||
| Bosnian | show | ||
| In Bosnian the word "show" can mean "to demonstrate" or "to exhibit," but it can also be used as a noun to refer to a "performance" or "spectacle." | |||
| Bulgarian | шоу | ||
| In Bulgarian, "шоу" originates from the English word "show" and is often used to refer to a stage performance. | |||
| Czech | ukázat | ||
| Etymology: ukazovati "to show" (related to the Slavic word *kazati "to say, tell") | |||
| Estonian | saade | ||
| Saade is an alternate meaning of "show" in the Estonian language | |||
| Finnish | näytä | ||
| In Finnish, "näytä" can also mean "to display" or "to demonstrate", and its root word "näky-" relates to "visibility" and "being seen". | |||
| Hungarian | előadás | ||
| In Hungarian, the word "előadás" can also refer to a lecture or presentation, implying a more formal and informative context compared to a typical show. | |||
| Latvian | šovs | ||
| The Latvian word "šovs" is derived from the French word "show", and can also mean "performance" or "spectacle". | |||
| Lithuanian | rodyti | ||
| The Lithuanian word "Rodyti" also refers to the action of pointing to something with one's finger. | |||
| Macedonian | шоу | ||
| The Macedonian word "шоу" (show) comes from the French word "chou" (cabbage) and is related to the English word "showbread" (the bread of proposition offered to God in ancient Hebrew tradition). | |||
| Polish | pokazać | ||
| The verb "pokazać" can be traced back to the Proto-Slavic "*kazati", meaning "to tell", "to say", or "to indicate". | |||
| Romanian | spectacol | ||
| Spectacol's etymology is Latin spectaculum, "spectacle" (theatrical or sporting), from the verb specto, "look at, observe". | |||
| Russian | шоу | ||
| In Russian, "шоу" (show) may also refer to a theatrical production or performance | |||
| Serbian | прикажи | ||
| Прикажи is a Serbian verb that comes from the Proto-Slavic word *kazati, meaning | |||
| Slovak | šou | ||
| The Slovak word "šou" (show) comes from the Hungarian "show", which in turn comes from the English "show". | |||
| Slovenian | oddaja | ||
| The word "oddaja" in Slovenian can also mean "episode" or "broadcast". | |||
| Ukrainian | шоу | ||
| The Ukrainian word "шоу" (show) is derived from the English word "show" and also means "spectacle" or "performance." | |||
Show in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | দেখান | ||
| "দেখান" can mean "to be seen" as well as "to show". | |||
| Gujarati | બતાવો | ||
| "બતાવો" is derived from the Sanskrit word "prakāś" (प्रकाश), meaning "to make clear or visible," or "to show or exhibit." | |||
| Hindi | प्रदर्शन | ||
| "प्रदर्शन" (show) in Hindi is derived from Sanskrit "pra" (forth) and "darshan" (sight). It can also mean "evidence", "appearance", or "performance." | |||
| Kannada | ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನ | ||
| The Kannada word 'ಪ್ರದರ್ಶನ' ('pradarshana') comes from the Sanskrit words 'pra' (forth) and 'darshan' (view), indicating a public viewing or display. | |||
| Malayalam | കാണിക്കുക | ||
| "കാണിക്കുക" can also mean "to offer a gift to a deity" or "to present something as evidence" | |||
| Marathi | दाखवा | ||
| "दाखवा" (show) in Marathi can also refer to a legal notice or summons. | |||
| Nepali | देखाउनु | ||
| The etymology of 'देखाउनु' is related to 'देख', meaning 'to see', implying the act of making something visible or known. | |||
| Punjabi | ਦਿਖਾਓ | ||
| ਦਿਖਾਓ (dikhao) shares its etymology with the Hindi word 'dikhavana' and the verb 'to show' in English. | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | පෙන්වන්න | ||
| Tamil | காட்டு | ||
| The word "காட்டு" can also mean "to display" or "to prove". | |||
| Telugu | చూపించు | ||
| చూపించు (chōpincu) in Telugu originates from Sanskrit, where 'chōp' refers to offering and 'naya' means lead or take, aligning with its purpose of 'indicating' or 'directing'. | |||
| Urdu | دکھائیں | ||
Show in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 节目 | ||
| "节目" also means the order of an event or a plan of action. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 節目 | ||
| "節目" also means an item or a paragraph, especially in a document or a contract. | |||
| Japanese | 公演 | ||
| The word "公演" (こうえん) also means "lecture" or "speech" in Japanese. | |||
| Korean | 보여 주다 | ||
| The word "보여 주다" can also mean "to prove," "to indicate," or "to let (someone) know." | |||
| Mongolian | шоу | ||
| "Шоу" in Mongolian also means "spectacle, performance, sight, exhibition, display, presentation, appearance, and exposure". | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | ပြ | ||
| "ပြ" (show) is derived from Proto-Tibeto-Burman "*praŋ" meaning "to look" or "to face". | |||
Show in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | menunjukkan | ||
| "Menunjukkan" can also mean "point" or "indicate". | |||
| Javanese | nuduhake | ||
| The word "nuduhake" in Javanese can also mean "to point out" or "to indicate". | |||
| Khmer | បង្ហាញ | ||
| "បង្ហាញ" is derived from the Sanskrit word "prajñapti" meaning "manifestation" or "declaration", and is cognate to the Thai word "phrakan" and the Lao word "phagna". | |||
| Lao | ສະແດງໃຫ້ເຫັນ | ||
| Malay | tunjuk | ||
| The Malay word 'tunjuk' not only means to show, but also to appoint or indicate. | |||
| Thai | แสดง | ||
| แสดง can also mean "act" or "perform". | |||
| Vietnamese | chỉ | ||
| "Chỉ" also means to point at, instruct or to indicate in Vietnamese. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | palabas | ||
Show in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | göstərmək | ||
| The Azerbaijani word "göstərmək" also means "to display", "to present" or "to indicate". | |||
| Kazakh | көрсету | ||
| The word "көрсету" ("show") in Kazakh can also mean "indication" or "demonstration" | |||
| Kyrgyz | көрсөтүү | ||
| Tajik | нишон додан | ||
| The word "нишон додан" can also mean "to point out" or "to indicate" in Tajik. | |||
| Turkmen | görkezmek | ||
| Uzbek | ko'rsatish | ||
| The Uzbek word "ko'rsatish" is derived from the verb "ko'r-" meaning "to see" and the suffix "-ish" indicating action or causing something to happen, resulting in the meaning "to cause to see" or "to show" | |||
| Uyghur | show | ||
Show in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | hōʻike | ||
| In the Hawaiian language, hōʻike derives from the root word hoʻo-, meaning to cause, and ike, meaning to see or know; thus, literally “to cause to see or know.” | |||
| Maori | whakaatu | ||
| Derived from the verb “whakaatuatu” and can also mean “to reveal” or “uncover”. | |||
| Samoan | faʻaali | ||
| The word "faʻaali" has multiple meanings in Samoan, including "to make visible" and "to make known". | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | ipakita | ||
| 'Ipakita' derives from the Proto-Austronesian word *pakit, which also means 'to point out'. | |||
Show in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | uñachayaña | ||
| Guarani | hechauka | ||
Show in International Languages
| Esperanto | spektaklo | ||
| The Esperanto word "spektaklo" means "show" but is also related to the verb "spekti" meaning "to look". | |||
| Latin | ostende | ||
| The Latin word "ostende" also means "display" or "reveal". | |||
Show in Others Languages
| Greek | προβολή | ||
| The Greek word 'προβολή' has also been used in the sense of 'pretext', 'excuse', 'allegation', or 'charge'. | |||
| Hmong | qhia tau tias | ||
| The Hmong word "qhia tau tias" literally means "tell the mouth know". | |||
| Kurdish | rêdan | ||
| The Kurdish word "rêdan" also means "to cause to show or appear" or "to expose to view". | |||
| Turkish | göstermek | ||
| The word 'göstermek' comes from the Persian verb 'guzāštan' meaning 'to cause to pass' or 'to present'. | |||
| Xhosa | umboniso | ||
| 'U' in Xhosa often denotes an infinitive form of the verb, as in 'Ukutya' for 'to eat'; the '-boni' morpheme may derive from '-bona', 'to see', as in 'ukubona' 'to watch'; thus, 'umboniso' may have originally meant 'a seeing' | |||
| Yiddish | ווייַזן | ||
| In Yiddish, “ווייַזן” can also mean “to seem” or “to appear.” | |||
| Zulu | umbukiso | ||
| "Umbukiso" is also used to refer to "education" or "exhibit" in Zulu language. | |||
| Assamese | প্ৰদৰ্শনী | ||
| Aymara | uñachayaña | ||
| Bhojpuri | देखायीं | ||
| Dhivehi | ދެއްކުން | ||
| Dogri | शो | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | palabas | ||
| Guarani | hechauka | ||
| Ilocano | ipakita | ||
| Krio | sho | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | نیشاندان | ||
| Maithili | प्रदर्शन | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯎꯠꯄ | ||
| Mizo | lantir | ||
| Oromo | agarsiisuu | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ଦେଖାନ୍ତୁ | | ||
| Quechua | qawachiy | ||
| Sanskrit | दर्शयतु | ||
| Tatar | шоу | ||
| Tigrinya | አርኢ | ||
| Tsonga | kombisa | ||