Updated on March 6, 2024
Signal, a simple word that carries with it a world of meaning. It represents communication, connection, and understanding. From the blinking of an eye to the sounding of a horn, signals are an integral part of our daily lives. They help us navigate our surroundings, understand each other, and express ourselves. The significance of signals extends beyond the practical, however. They hold cultural importance, symbolizing everything from the start of a race to the end of a war. 'Three blasts on the whistle, and the game begins!' 'One long, continuous sound, and the enemy retreats!'
Given its importance, you might be interested in knowing the translation of 'signal' in different languages. In Spanish, for example, it's 'señal', while in French, it's 'signal'. In German, it's 'Signal', and in Japanese, it's 'シグナル (shigunaru)'. Understanding the translation of this word in different languages can help you better connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds. So, let's explore the world of signals, one language at a time!
Afrikaans | sein | ||
The word "sein" in Afrikaans can also mean "existence" or "being". | |||
Amharic | ምልክት | ||
The word "ምልክት" can also mean "sign", "indication", or "symptom" in Amharic. | |||
Hausa | sigina | ||
The Hausa word "sigina" can also mean "to beckon" or "to wave." | |||
Igbo | mgbaama | ||
Mgbaama also conveys "news," "hint" or "clue" and is sometimes used in relation to something hidden or secret. | |||
Malagasy | famantarana | ||
The word "famantarana" can also mean "evidence" in Malagasy. | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | chizindikiro | ||
“Chizindikiro” can also mean “sign,” “warning,” or “token.” | |||
Shona | chiratidzo | ||
Chiratidzo means 'mark, indication, proof, token, beacon' and is related to chiratidza 'to point out; to show' and to chirata 'to trace a pattern'. | |||
Somali | signal | ||
"Signal", a word derived from Medieval Latin "signum", also refers to an agreed sign used by deaf individuals or as a military call. | |||
Sesotho | pontšo | ||
The word "pontšo" also means "to show" or "to point out" in Sesotho. | |||
Swahili | ishara | ||
The word "ishara" is derived from the Arabic word "isharah", meaning "sign" or "indication". | |||
Xhosa | umqondiso | ||
The Xhosa word 'umqondiso' can also mean 'beacon' or 'landmark', and is related to the word 'qonda', meaning 'to point out'. | |||
Yoruba | ifihan agbara | ||
"Ifihan agbara" is a Yoruba word which also means "display of power." | |||
Zulu | isignali | ||
The Zulu word "isignali" can also mean "a sign" or "a mark". | |||
Bambara | taamasiyɛn | ||
Ewe | dzesi | ||
Kinyarwanda | ikimenyetso | ||
Lingala | signal | ||
Luganda | akabonero | ||
Sepedi | pontšo | ||
Twi (Akan) | sɛnkyerɛnne | ||
Arabic | الإشارة | ||
Hebrew | אוֹת | ||
The word "אות" can also mean "letter of the alphabet" or "evidence supporting a claim" in Hebrew. | |||
Pashto | سيګنال | ||
The Pashto word for "signal" is derived from the English word "signal" and has the same meaning in both languages. | |||
Arabic | الإشارة | ||
Albanian | sinjalit | ||
The word "sinjalit" in Albanian is derived from the Latin "signalis", meaning "a sign or mark". | |||
Basque | seinalea | ||
The word "seinalea" derives from the Latin word "signalis" meaning "sign". | |||
Catalan | senyal | ||
The Catalan word "senyal" comes from the Latin word "signum", meaning a mark or indication, and also shares a root with words like "sign" and "signature" in other languages. | |||
Croatian | signal | ||
The word "signal" in Croatian can also mean "traffic light" or "sign". | |||
Danish | signal | ||
Besides being an official signal to traffic, "signal" can also be a synonym for "message" or "notice" in Danish. | |||
Dutch | signaal | ||
The word signaal in Dutch (meaning signal) is derived from the French signal, from the Old French signe, from the Latin signum (a sign). | |||
English | signal | ||
The word 'signal' originates from the Latin word 'signum,' meaning 'mark' or 'sign,' and has been used in English since the 14th century. | |||
French | signal | ||
Le mot français « signal » provient du latin « signalis » et désigne à l'origine une marque ou un signe qui permet d'identifier ou de communiquer. | |||
Frisian | sinjaal | ||
The word "Sinjaal" may also refer to a specific type of buoy or beacon used in navigation. | |||
Galician | sinal | ||
The word "sinal" in Galician has an additional meaning of "birthmark" or "mole". | |||
German | signal | ||
German word "Signal" comes from the Latin "signalis", meaning "pertaining to a sign", indicating a connection to communication and information. | |||
Icelandic | merki | ||
The Icelandic word "merki" can also refer to a mark, boundary, or sign. | |||
Irish | comhartha | ||
The word "comhartha" is a compound of "comh" (together) and "artha" (meaning), suggesting shared or transmitted meaning. | |||
Italian | segnale | ||
The Italian word "segnale" can also mean "symptom", and it derives from the Latin "signalis", meaning "belonging to a sign". | |||
Luxembourgish | signaliséieren | ||
In Luxembourgish, "signaliséieren" can also refer to the process of signing a document or making a sign or gesture. | |||
Maltese | sinjal | ||
The word "sinjal" is most likely derived from the Arabic word "isharah" meaning "sign" or "indication." | |||
Norwegian | signal | ||
The Norwegian word "signal" can also mean "blessing" or "omen." | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | sinal | ||
The word "sinal" in Portuguese originates from the Latin "signale" and can also mean "birthmark" or "mole". | |||
Scots Gaelic | comharra | ||
Scots Gaelic 'comharra' derives from Old Irish 'comarcu' - meaning both a 'signal' and 'territory'. | |||
Spanish | señal | ||
The word "señal" can also mean "sign" or "mark" in Spanish. | |||
Swedish | signal | ||
"Signal" can also mean "sign" or "indication" in Swedish. | |||
Welsh | signal | ||
The Welsh word 'signal' is derived from Latin 'signalis', meaning 'sign' or 'omen', and can also refer to a radio or television broadcast in the context of communication. |
Belarusian | сігнал | ||
The Belarusian word "сігнал" comes from the French word "signal", which in turn comes from the Latin word "signum", meaning "sign". | |||
Bosnian | signal | ||
The word "signal" in Bosnian can also refer to a traffic light or a signpost. | |||
Bulgarian | сигнал | ||
The word "сигнал" in Bulgarian can also refer to a road sign or a traffic light. | |||
Czech | signál | ||
Signál comes from the Latin "signum", meaning "sign" or "mark", and also shares a root with "significant". | |||
Estonian | signaal | ||
The word "signaal" in Estonian also shares its root with the word "signatuur", meaning "signature". | |||
Finnish | signaali | ||
"Signaali" also means "seal" in Finnish. | |||
Hungarian | jel | ||
Jel is also the root of the word 'jelen', meaning 'present' or 'current', as a signal can often be used to indicate the presence of something. | |||
Latvian | signāls | ||
In Latvian, the word “signāls” also means a “traffic light”. | |||
Lithuanian | signalas | ||
The word 'signalas' is thought to originate from Proto-Baltic *sig-nalas, meaning 'a sign or omen'. | |||
Macedonian | сигнал | ||
The word "сигнал" comes from the Latin word "signalis", meaning "sign" or "token". | |||
Polish | sygnał | ||
In Polish, the word "sygnał" comes from the Latin "signalum" meaning "standard" and also refers to a traditional type of bell-ringing in the countryside used for communication. | |||
Romanian | semnal | ||
In Romanian, "semnal" also refers to a fire alarm or a traffic light. | |||
Russian | сигнал | ||
The word "сигнал" can also refer to a device that gives a signal, such as a traffic light or a siren. | |||
Serbian | сигнал | ||
In Serbian, “сигнал” can also refer to a person who informs others about something. | |||
Slovak | signál | ||
The Slovak word "signál" means both "signal" and "traffic light". | |||
Slovenian | signal | ||
Signal's other meaning in Slovenian is 'traffic light', derived from its role as a signal device. | |||
Ukrainian | сигналу | ||
"Сигнал" is derived from the Latin "signum" (sign), which is related to the verb "signāre" (to mark). |
Bengali | সংকেত | ||
In Bengali, "সংকেত" can also refer to a hint, clue, or symbol, and has Sanskrit roots meaning "to indicate" or "to point out". | |||
Gujarati | સિગ્નલ | ||
The word | |||
Hindi | संकेत | ||
The Sanskrit word 'संकेत' also means 'agreement', 'indication' or 'hint'. | |||
Kannada | ಸಿಗ್ನಲ್ | ||
The Kannada word "ಸಿಗ್ನಲ್" can also refer to a sign or indication. | |||
Malayalam | സിഗ്നൽ | ||
In Malayalam, "സിഗ്നൽ" can also refer to a musical note or a sign of respect, such as a bow or gesture. | |||
Marathi | सिग्नल | ||
The Marathi word "सिग्नल" (signal) also means "indication" or "sign". | |||
Nepali | संकेत | ||
"संकेत" is also used in Nepali to refer to a gesture or sign | |||
Punjabi | ਇਸ਼ਾਰਾ | ||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | සං .ාව | ||
The word "සං .ාව" (signal) also means "a sign given to communicate with someone at a distance" in Sinhala. | |||
Tamil | சமிக்ஞை | ||
"சமிக்ஞை" can also mean "indication" or "sign" in Tamil. | |||
Telugu | సిగ్నల్ | ||
The word "సిగ్נల్" can also refer to a person who transmits signals, such as a telegraph operator or a flagman. | |||
Urdu | سگنل | ||
The word "سگنل" ("signal") comes from the Latin word "signum", meaning "sign" or "mark". |
Chinese (Simplified) | 信号 | ||
The Chinese characters 信号 can also mean "sign" or "omen". | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 信號 | ||
In Chinese, 信號 (Traditional) can also refer to "a sign or indication of something" or "a written message sent by an official to a subordinate." | |||
Japanese | 信号 | ||
In Japanese, "信号" has an alternate meaning of "traffic light". | |||
Korean | 신호 | ||
"신호" means "signal," but originally meant "a sign to summon." | |||
Mongolian | дохио | ||
The Mongolian word “дохио” derives from Proto-Mongolic | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | အချက်ပြ | ||
Indonesian | sinyal | ||
In Indonesian, 'sinyal' can also mean 'evidence', reflecting its Latin root 'signum', meaning 'mark' or 'proof'. | |||
Javanese | sinyal | ||
In Javanese, "sinyal" also means "sign" or "indication." | |||
Khmer | សញ្ញា | ||
The term "សញ្ញា" "(signal)" in Khmer is derived from the Sanskrit word "सङ्केत" "(saṃketa)", meaning "sign", "token", or "symbol". | |||
Lao | ສັນຍານ | ||
Malay | isyarat | ||
The Malay word "isyarat" comes from the Arabic word "ishara", which means "sign". | |||
Thai | สัญญาณ | ||
The word "สัญญาณ" can also refer to a "sign" or an "indication". | |||
Vietnamese | tín hiệu | ||
"Tín hiệu" also means "message" in Vietnamese. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | hudyat | ||
Azerbaijani | siqnal | ||
In Azerbaijani, "siqnal" can also refer to a "sign" or "evidence". | |||
Kazakh | сигнал | ||
The word "сигнал" can also refer to an agreed-upon sound or gesture used as a warning or to communicate a message. | |||
Kyrgyz | белги | ||
The word "белги" also means "mark" or "sign" in Kyrgyz. | |||
Tajik | сигнал | ||
The word "сигнал" in Tajik can also refer to a "mark" or a "sign". | |||
Turkmen | signal | ||
Uzbek | signal | ||
The Uzbek word "signal" comes from the Russian word "сигнал" (signal) and the French word "signe" (sign). | |||
Uyghur | سىگنال | ||
Hawaiian | hōʻailona | ||
In Hawaiian, "hoailona" also means "evidence, proof, or portent." | |||
Maori | tohu | ||
The term tohu can also refer to a 'symptom' or an 'omen'. | |||
Samoan | faailo | ||
This word shares its root with "faailoilo", which means to "call out" or "cry out" | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | signal | ||
The Tagalog word "signal" is also used to refer to a traffic light. |
Aymara | señal uñacht’ayaña | ||
Guarani | señal rehegua | ||
Esperanto | signalo | ||
The Esperanto word "signalo" comes from the Latin word "signum," which means "mark" or "token." | |||
Latin | signum | ||
In medieval Latin, signum was used to refer to the mark of a cross, and specifically, the one made on the forehead during the sign of the cross. |
Greek | σήμα | ||
Its ancient Greek meaning was 'grave, mound of earth marking a grave' (e. g. the famous 'Achilleion Sema' on the site of ancient Troy) | |||
Hmong | teeb liab | ||
'Teeb liab' can also mean 'to send a message' or 'to indicate' in Hmong. | |||
Kurdish | nîşan | ||
The Kurdish word "nîşan" can also refer to a target, mark, or indication. | |||
Turkish | sinyal | ||
In Turkish, the word "sinyal" can also refer to a traffic light, a gesture, or an indication of something. | |||
Xhosa | umqondiso | ||
The Xhosa word 'umqondiso' can also mean 'beacon' or 'landmark', and is related to the word 'qonda', meaning 'to point out'. | |||
Yiddish | סיגנאַל | ||
The Yiddish word סיגנאַל (signal) comes from the Latin word signulum, meaning "sign" or "mark". | |||
Zulu | isignali | ||
The Zulu word "isignali" can also mean "a sign" or "a mark". | |||
Assamese | সংকেত | ||
Aymara | señal uñacht’ayaña | ||
Bhojpuri | सिग्नल के संकेत दिहल गइल बा | ||
Dhivehi | ސިގްނަލް | ||
Dogri | सिग्नल | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | hudyat | ||
Guarani | señal rehegua | ||
Ilocano | signal | ||
Krio | signal | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | سیگناڵ | ||
Maithili | संकेत | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯁꯤꯒꯅꯦꯜ ꯄꯤꯕꯥ꯫ | ||
Mizo | signal a ni | ||
Oromo | mallattoo | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ସଙ୍କେତ | ||
Quechua | señal | ||
Sanskrit | संकेतः | ||
Tatar | сигнал | ||
Tigrinya | ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት ምልክት | ||
Tsonga | xikombiso | ||