Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'social' holds a significant place in our modern vocabulary, encompassing a wide range of meanings related to human interaction, technology, and cultural contexts. Derived from the Latin word 'socius', meaning 'ally or companion', the term 'social' has evolved to represent the collective activities, relationships, and networks that define a community or society.
In today's digital age, the concept of being 'social' has taken on new dimensions, particularly with the rise of social media platforms that connect people from all corners of the globe. This cultural shift has not only transformed the way we communicate but also influenced language, as people seek to understand and translate the word 'social' in different languages.
For instance, in Spanish, the word 'social' translates to 'social' (pronounced: soh-see-al), while in French, it becomes 'social' (pronounced: soh-see-yahl). In German, the term 'social' is translated as 'sozial' (pronounced: zoh-zee-ahl), and in Mandarin Chinese, it is '社会' (pinyin: shè huì).
Understanding the translation of 'social' in various languages can provide valuable insights into different cultures and broaden our perspective on global communication. Keep reading to explore more translations of this fascinating term!
Afrikaans | sosiale | ||
The Afrikaans word "sosiale" can also mean "a social event" or "a party". | |||
Amharic | ማህበራዊ | ||
The Amharic word "ማህበራዊ" ("social") originates from the Arabic word “صُحْبَة" ("friendship") via the Ottoman Turkish “صهبت" ("friendship, companionship"). | |||
Hausa | zamantakewa | ||
The word "zamantakewa" is derived from the Hausa word "zamantake" meaning "to associate" or "to socialize". | |||
Igbo | elekọta mmadụ | ||
The word 'elekọta mmadụ' can also refer to a person who interacts with people in a friendly and respectful manner, even if they are from different backgrounds or cultures. | |||
Malagasy | ara-tsosialy | ||
The word "ara-tsosialy" can also refer to a social gathering or event. | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | chikhalidwe | ||
Chikhalidwe in Nyanja also refers to a collection of people from the same village. | |||
Shona | zvemagariro | ||
The word "zvemagariro" is also used to refer to public gatherings or meetings | |||
Somali | bulsho | ||
The word 'bulsho' is likely derived from the Arabic word 'bu'l-sha'ab' meaning 'of the people' or 'public'. | |||
Sesotho | sechabeng | ||
Swahili | kijamii | ||
Originating from Arabic 'jamaa' meaning 'group', the Swahili word 'kijamii' today encompasses all matters pertaining to society and collective interaction. | |||
Xhosa | kwezentlalo | ||
The word 'kwezentlalo' in Xhosa also refers to a person who is sociable or outgoing. | |||
Yoruba | awujo | ||
The Yoruba word "awujo" can also mean "community" or "society". | |||
Zulu | kwezenhlalo | ||
"Kwezenhlalo" also means a gathering or assembly | |||
Bambara | sosiyali | ||
Ewe | hame | ||
Kinyarwanda | mbonezamubano | ||
Lingala | makambo ya bomoi | ||
Luganda | embera yobuntu | ||
Sepedi | tša leago | ||
Twi (Akan) | asetenam | ||
Arabic | الاجتماعية | ||
The word "الاجتماعية" in Arabic can also refer to the field of social work or sociology. | |||
Hebrew | חֶברָתִי | ||
The Hebrew word חברתי (social) is derived from the root חבר (friend), which implies a sense of connection and belonging. | |||
Pashto | ټولنیز | ||
The word "ټولنیز" means "social" in Pashto and is related to the word "ټولنه" which means "society". | |||
Arabic | الاجتماعية | ||
The word "الاجتماعية" in Arabic can also refer to the field of social work or sociology. |
Albanian | sociale | ||
"Sociale" is also the word used for "sauce" or "gravy" and is of Proto-Romance origin. | |||
Basque | soziala | ||
In Basque, "soziala" also refers to the Basque socialist party created in 1977. | |||
Catalan | social | ||
The word 'social' derives from the Latin 'socius', meaning 'companion' or 'friend'. | |||
Croatian | socijalni | ||
The Croatian word 'socijalni' is derived from the Latin word 'socialis', which originally meant 'of or pertaining to allies' or 'friendly'. | |||
Danish | social | ||
In Danish, "social" can also refer to a gathering or event where people socialize. | |||
Dutch | sociaal | ||
Sociaal was originally "ascetic" but over time, gained its modern meaning in the 17th century. | |||
English | social | ||
The term “social” derives from the Latin word socius, meaning “friend, ally, partner.” | |||
French | social | ||
In French, "social" can also refer to "social assistance" or "social services". | |||
Frisian | sosjaal | ||
The word "Sosjaal" in Frisian comes from the French word 'social' or the Latin word '"socialis". The English term "social" is itself thought to have been borrowed or influenced by the French word. | |||
Galician | social | ||
German | sozial | ||
The word "Sozial" can also mean "socialist" in German, reflecting the close connection between social welfare and socialist ideology in the country's history. | |||
Icelandic | félagsleg | ||
The term 'félagsleg' derives from 'félag' (union) and can also carry a connotation of 'cohesion' or 'affiliation'. | |||
Irish | sóisialta | ||
Sóisialta is a borrowing from English, but is also thought to derive from the words só (joy) and ialta (fostering). | |||
Italian | sociale | ||
Italian 'sociale' can also refer to a social security payment or a type of tax | |||
Luxembourgish | sozial | ||
An alternative meaning of the word "sozial" in Luxembourgish is "sociable". | |||
Maltese | soċjali | ||
"Sociali" derives from the Latin "sociālis", meaning "pertaining to companions". | |||
Norwegian | sosial | ||
The word "sosial" can also mean "polite" or "well-mannered" in Norwegian. | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | social | ||
The word "social" in Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) derives from the Latin "socius" meaning "companion", "friend", or "ally". | |||
Scots Gaelic | sòisealta | ||
In Scots Gaelic, "sòisealta" can also refer to a social gathering, or specifically a "ceilidh" or "social gathering". | |||
Spanish | social | ||
The word "social" derives from the Latin "socius," meaning "companion" or "ally." | |||
Swedish | social | ||
"Social" in Swedish originally meant "sociable" but gained the wider meaning "social" after being influenced by English and German. | |||
Welsh | cymdeithasol | ||
Cymdeithasol derives from the Welsh word 'cymdeithas' meaning 'society' and can also mean 'communal' or 'public'. |
Belarusian | сацыяльная | ||
The word "сацыяльная" (social) derives from the French word "sociable" and the Latin word "socius" (companion). | |||
Bosnian | socijalni | ||
The word "socijalni" also means "relating to welfare" in Bosnian. | |||
Bulgarian | социална | ||
The word "социална" can also refer to the social sciences or social security. | |||
Czech | sociální | ||
The Czech word "sociální" can also mean "welfare" or "charitable." | |||
Estonian | sotsiaalne | ||
"Sotsiaalne" derives from the Middle Low German "sossiāl," and is cognate with Old English "sociāl" (from the Latin "sociālis"); its meaning shifted in the 18th century due to a reanalysis of the "-āl" suffix as an adjectival ending (influenced by French) and the influence of Romantic ideas about society as a collective. | |||
Finnish | sosiaalinen | ||
The word 'sosiaalinen' shares its root with the word 'sosiaali' (social welfare), both originating from the Latin word 'socialis', meaning 'companionable' or 'connected'. | |||
Hungarian | társadalmi | ||
The word társadalmi is derived from the word társadalom, which means "society". | |||
Latvian | sociāla | ||
The Latvian word "sociāla" comes from the Latin word "socialis," meaning "of or relating to companions". | |||
Lithuanian | socialinis | ||
The word "socialinis" in Lithuanian can also refer to "sociable" or "friendly". | |||
Macedonian | социјални | ||
In Macedonian, the word "социјални" ("social") also has the alternate meaning of "welfare" or "social assistance" | |||
Polish | społeczny | ||
The word "społeczny" in Polish is related to the Latin word "socius", meaning "companion" or "friend". It also has a broader sense of "pertaining to society" or "public". | |||
Romanian | social | ||
The Romanian word "social" comes from the Latin word "socialis", which means "of or relating to society". | |||
Russian | социальное | ||
The word 'Социальное' can also have the meaning of 'public' | |||
Serbian | социјални | ||
"Социјални" is a Serbian adjective that derives from the French word "social" and the Latin word "socialis," which means "belonging to society." | |||
Slovak | sociálnej | ||
The Slovak word "sociálnej" is derived from the Latin word "socialis", which means "companionable" or "friendly". | |||
Slovenian | socialni | ||
The word 'socialni' also has a connotation of 'welfare-related' and can be used in the context of social work and social services. | |||
Ukrainian | соціальна | ||
The Ukrainian word "соціальна" is derived from the Latin "socialis", which means "of or belonging to society". |
Bengali | সামাজিক | ||
In Bengali, the word "সামাজিক" also refers to "sociability" and "social welfare." | |||
Gujarati | સામાજિક | ||
The word "social" in English is derived from the Latin word "socialis", meaning "of or relating to society" or "companionable". | |||
Hindi | सामाजिक | ||
The Hindi word "सामाजिक" (samajik) is derived from the Sanskrit word "समाज" (samaj), which can also mean "community" or "society". | |||
Kannada | ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ | ||
The word "ಸಾಮಾಜಿಕ" is derived from the Sanskrit word "samaj," meaning "society" or "community". It can also refer to the social interactions and relationships between individuals and groups. | |||
Malayalam | സാമൂഹിക | ||
The word "സാമൂഹിക" is derived from the Sanskrit word "समाज," which means "society" or "community." | |||
Marathi | सामाजिक | ||
The word 'सामाजिक' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'सामज', meaning 'group' or 'community'. | |||
Nepali | सामाजिक | ||
The word "सामाजिक" is derived from the Sanskrit word "समुद्" meaning "community" or "society". | |||
Punjabi | ਸਮਾਜਿਕ | ||
The word "ਸਮਾਜਿਕ" ("social") in Punjabi is derived from the Sanskrit word "समाज" ("samaj"), which means "society" or "community". It can also refer to the behaviour or interactions within a society or community. | |||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | සමාජ | ||
The word "සමාජ" (social) in Sinhala ultimately derives from the Sanskrit word "समाज" (samaja), meaning "assembly" or "gathering". | |||
Tamil | சமூக | ||
The Tamil word "சமூக" can also be derived from the Sanskrit word "समाज" (samāja), meaning "assembly" or "gathering". | |||
Telugu | సామాజిక | ||
The Telugu word "సామాజిక" (sAmAjika) is derived from the Sanskrit word "सामज" (sAmAja), meaning "assembly" or "congregation". | |||
Urdu | سماجی | ||
The Urdu word "سماجی" not only means "social" but also relates to "society" and "community". |
Chinese (Simplified) | 社会的 | ||
The character 社 (shè) in 社会的 (shèhuì de) originally meant 'temple', implying a place where people gathered and formed social bonds. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 社會的 | ||
社會的 (social) in Chinese (Traditional) is derived from the term 社會 (society), which originally referred to the relationship between individuals in a community. | |||
Japanese | ソーシャル | ||
「ソーシャル」は「社会的な」を意味しますが、SNSでの交流に関する意味もあります。 | |||
Korean | 사회적인 | ||
사회적 means not only 'of or concerning society' but also 'sociable, outgoing' | |||
Mongolian | нийгмийн | ||
Нийгмийн also means a community of people who have similar cultural, social, etc. characteristics in common. | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | လူမှုရေး | ||
Indonesian | sosial | ||
The Indonesian word "sosial" derives from the Dutch "sociaal" and has various meanings, including "sociable", "generous", and "communal". | |||
Javanese | sosial | ||
In Javanese "sosial" also means "manner" or "behavior". | |||
Khmer | សង្គម | ||
The word "សង្គម" can also mean "community" or "society" in Khmer. | |||
Lao | ສັງຄົມ | ||
Malay | sosial | ||
In Malay, 'sosial' carries both its common English meaning and a distinct sense related to politeness and decorum in social interactions. | |||
Thai | สังคม | ||
The word 'สังคม' comes from the Pali word 'samāga' which means 'association, union, or gathering'. | |||
Vietnamese | xã hội | ||
The word "xã hội" also means "society" or "community" in Vietnamese. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | sosyal | ||
Azerbaijani | sosial | ||
The Azerbaijani word "sosial" can also refer to a "communal gathering" or a "place of socializing". | |||
Kazakh | әлеуметтік | ||
The Kazakh word "әлеуметтік" can also be used to mean "community" or "society". | |||
Kyrgyz | социалдык | ||
The word "социалдык" derives from the Russian word "социальный", which itself comes from the Latin word "socius" meaning "companion". | |||
Tajik | иҷтимоӣ | ||
Derived from Arabic 'ijtima' and Persian 'jama'at', the word 'иҷтимоӣ' also conveys the meaning of 'gathering'. | |||
Turkmen | sosial | ||
Uzbek | ijtimoiy | ||
In Uzbek, "ijtimoiy" originally referred to "tribal" or "communal" bonds, but it has expanded to encompass a broader sense of "social" relations. | |||
Uyghur | ئىجتىمائىي | ||
Hawaiian | pilikanaka | ||
The term 'pilikanaka' can refer to different social statuses like a friend, companion, or someone of a similar rank. | |||
Maori | pāpori | ||
Its root word, "pao" means "to be together" and "pori" means "to go about with". | |||
Samoan | agafesootai | ||
Agafesootai can also mean "relating to the aiga (family) or the village", showing its importance in Samoan society. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | panlipunan | ||
The word "panlipunan" can also refer to a social gathering or event. |
Aymara | marka qamawi | ||
Guarani | ava'aty | ||
Esperanto | socia | ||
The word 'socia' is derived from the Latin word 'socius', which means 'companion' or 'ally'. | |||
Latin | socialis | ||
The Latin word "socialis" can also refer to an ally or companion. |
Greek | κοινωνικός | ||
The word κοινωτικός can also refer to 'communal' or 'belonging to a community'. | |||
Hmong | social | ||
The word 'social' in Hmong can also mean 'group' or 'society'. | |||
Kurdish | civatî | ||
The word 'civatî' also denotes a community of friends or neighbors who share meals and work together. | |||
Turkish | sosyal | ||
In Turkish, Sosyal can also mean "friendly" or "sociable" | |||
Xhosa | kwezentlalo | ||
The word 'kwezentlalo' in Xhosa also refers to a person who is sociable or outgoing. | |||
Yiddish | געזעלשאַפטלעך | ||
The Yiddish word "געזעלשאַפטלעך" is derived from the German word "Gesellschaftlich," meaning "sociable" or "companionable." | |||
Zulu | kwezenhlalo | ||
"Kwezenhlalo" also means a gathering or assembly | |||
Assamese | সামাজিক | ||
Aymara | marka qamawi | ||
Bhojpuri | सामाजिक | ||
Dhivehi | ސޯޝަލް | ||
Dogri | समाजक | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | sosyal | ||
Guarani | ava'aty | ||
Ilocano | kinatao | ||
Krio | soshal | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | کۆمەڵایەتی | ||
Maithili | समाजिक | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯈꯨꯟꯅꯥꯏ | ||
Mizo | vantlang | ||
Oromo | kan hawaasaa | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ସାମାଜିକ | ||
Quechua | llapa una | ||
Sanskrit | सामाजिक | ||
Tatar | иҗтимагый | ||
Tigrinya | ማሕበራዊ | ||
Tsonga | vaaki | ||