Soldier in different languages

Soldier in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

A soldier is an individual who serves in the military, playing a crucial role in maintaining national security and peace. The term 'soldier' carries immense significance, embodying bravery, discipline, and patriotism. Soldiers have been celebrated in various cultures, inspiring countless works of art, literature, and film.

Understanding the translation of 'soldier' in different languages can provide valuable insights into how diverse cultures perceive and honor these individuals. For instance, in Spanish, a soldier is a 'soldado,' while in German, it's a 'Soldat.' In Russian, the term is 'солдат' (soldat), and in Japanese, a soldier is a '兵士' (heishi).

Delving into these linguistic nuances not only broadens our vocabulary but also enriches our appreciation for the global community and its shared values. Join us as we explore the translations of 'soldier' in a variety of languages, deepening our understanding and respect for the men and women who serve.

Soldier


Soldier in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaanssoldaat
The Dutch word "soldaat" possibly originates from Italian "soldato," and ultimately the Old High German "solta" meaning "pay"
Amharicወታደር
The word 'ወታደር' can also refer to a group of people who are united in a common cause or purpose, such as a political party or a religious organization.
Hausasoja
The word "soja" can also refer to a type of dance performed by Hausa men.
Igboonye agha
In Igbo, onye agha can refer to a physical combatant or a supernatural or metaphysical protector.
Malagasymiaramila
The word "MIARAMILA" in Malagasy is cognate with the word "RAMILA" in the Malayo-Polynesian languages, meaning "warrior" or "hero".
Nyanja (Chichewa)msirikali
The word "msirikali" also means "warrior" and "fighter".
Shonamusoja
The word “musoja” is also a slang for police in the Shona language.
Somaliaskari
"Askar" (derived from Arabic "askar") has a more general meaning of "guard" or "watchman", also being used to refer to a police officer.
Sesotholesole
The word lesole also means "warrior", and derives it from the verb sola, meaning "to fight".
Swahiliaskari
The Swahili word "askari" originates from the Arabic word "askar" meaning "army" or "troops".
Xhosaijoni
The use of "ijoni" for "soldier" is derived from the word "ingqolowa," meaning "wagon" or "cart," as soldiers were initially mounted on wagons.
Yorubajagunjagun
The Yoruba word "jagunjagun" originally referred to a type of armed escort or bodyguard.
Zuluisosha
The word "isosha" can also refer to a "private soldier" or a "foot soldier" in Zulu.
Bambarasɔrɔdasi
Eweasrafo
Kinyarwandaumusirikare
Lingalasoda
Lugandaomujaasi
Sepedilešole
Twi (Akan)ɔsraani

Soldier in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicجندي
The word "جندي" means "warrior", and is related to the word "جن" meaning "protect".
Hebrewלוֹחֶם
The Hebrew word "לוֹחֶם" (soldier) is related to the word "לַחְמָה" (bread), as during wartime soldiers were often given bread as part of their rations.
Pashtoعسکر
عسکر can also refer to a camp, a garrison or an army.
Arabicجندي
The word "جندي" means "warrior", and is related to the word "جن" meaning "protect".

Soldier in Western European Languages

Albanianushtar
The word 'ushtar' is related to the ancient Illyrian word 'oshtrinā' ('bravery').
Basquesoldadu
The Basque word "soldadu" derives from the Latin "solidatus," a coin paid to Roman soldiers, hence it is related to the English "soldier".
Catalansoldat
The Catalan word "soldat" (soldier) derives from the Italian "soldato", which shares its root with "sol" (sun) and is related to the concept of payment, possibly referring to the golden coins soldiers were paid with.
Croatianvojnik
The word "vojnik" comes from the verb "vojati" which means "to fight" and can also refer to a mercenary or warrior.
Danishsoldat
While 'soldat' means soldier in Danish, it's related to the Italian 'soldo,' or coin, referencing the ancient practice of mercenary service.
Dutchsoldaat
The Dutch word "soldaat" is a loan from the Spanish "soldado" which comes from the Italian "soldato" which is derived from the early French "soldoier", meaning someone paid by "sold" (Old High German for money).
Englishsoldier
The term 'soldier' derives from the Old French term 'soudier', meaning 'one who is paid for military service'.
Frenchsoldat
In French, "soldat" also refers to a "penny" or "small coin" as well as a "simpleton".
Frisiansoldaat
The word "soldaat" in Frisian also means "payment" or "reward".
Galiciansoldado
In Galician, "soldado" also means "unmarried young man" or "son-in-law".
Germansoldat
The word "Soldat" is derived from the Italian word "soldato" (paid soldier), which in turn originates from the Latin word "solidus" (gold coin).
Icelandichermaður
In Old Norse, hermaður referred to a man of the warrior class.
Irishsaighdiúir
The Irish word 'saighdiúir' is derived from the French word 'soldat', which itself is derived from the Italian word 'soldato', ultimately coming from the Latin word 'solidus' meaning 'gold coin'.
Italiansoldato
The Italian word “soldato” derives from the Latin past participle “solutus” and it originally meant “paid”.
Luxembourgishzaldot
The word "Zaldot" derives from the Romance languages, ultimately from Latin "solidus", but also has the secondary meaning of "mercenary".
Maltesesuldat
The word "suldat" may originally have meant "servant" in Arabic before coming to mean "soldier".
Norwegiansoldat
In Norwegian, "soldat" can also mean "a person who has served in the military" or a "military rank".
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)soldado
The word "soldado" in Portuguese can also refer to a card in a deck of cards, specifically the Jack.
Scots Gaelicsaighdear
The etymology of the word "saighdear" is uncertain, but it may come from the Irish word "saethar" meaning "servant" or "hired man"
Spanishsoldado
The Spanish word "soldado" derives from the Italian "soldato" (paid man), which in turn comes from the Latin "solidum" (solidus, or gold coin).
Swedishsoldat
The Swedish word "soldat" derives from the Old French "soudoier," meaning "one who serves for pay".
Welshmilwr
"Milwr" also has an older, more obscure meaning as "a person who is free or unattached, or who is a voluntary agent".

Soldier in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianсалдат
The word "салдат" is derived from the German word "Soldat" and also refers to a recruit or conscript.
Bosnianvojnik
The word "vojnik" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *voinъ, which also means "warrior" or "fighter".
Bulgarianвойник
In Old Bulgarian, "войник" meant "warrior" or "knight", and was not limited to professional soldiers.
Czechvoják
In Czech, "voják" also refers to a military unit.
Estoniansõdur
"Sõdur" can also mean "warrior" or "fighter".
Finnishsotilas
The Finnish word sotilas originated as a loanword from German through Swedish in the 1700s.
Hungariankatona
Hungarian word “katona” (“soldier”) derives from Late Latin “catalo” (“list of soldiers”) via Middle Latin “catalogus” and Italian “catalano (“soldier”, “peasant”).
Latviankaravīrs
In Latvian, the word "karavīrs" can also refer to a member of a paramilitary group or a militant organization.
Lithuaniankarys
The word "karys" is likely of Proto-Indo-European origin, possibly from the root "*ker-", meaning "to cut", or "*keros"
Macedonianвојник
The word "војник" (soldier) also means "warrior" or "fighter" in Macedonian.
Polishżołnierz
The word "żołnierz" comes from the German word "Soldner" meaning "one who is paid".
Romaniansoldat
The word 'soldat' is of French origin and has the same meaning in Romanian.
Russianсолдат
The word "солдат" comes from the Middle Dutch word "solde" meaning "pay".
Serbianвојник
"Војник" comes from "војска" (army), which in turn comes from the Slavic root "voj", meaning "war" or "battle."
Slovakvojak
Besides the main meaning, "vojak" can also refer to a chess piece or a small glass of brandy.
Slovenianvojak
Another word for 'vojak' is 'vojščak', which is the name of a Slovenian rock band formed in 1998.
Ukrainianсолдат
The word "soldier" in Ukrainian is derived from the Latin word "solidus," meaning "solid" or "firm."

Soldier in South Asian Languages

Bengaliসৈনিক
The word "সৈনিক" (soldier) comes from the Sanskrit word "सैनिक" (sainika), which in turn comes from the word "सेना" (sena), meaning army.
Gujaratiસૈનિક
The word "સૈનિક" also means "one who serves others" in Gujarati.
Hindiफोजी
The word "फोजी" (soldier) is derived from the Arabic word "fauj" meaning "army".
Kannadaಸೈನಿಕ
The word "ಸೈನಿಕ" (soldier) in Kannada comes from the Sanskrit word "सैनिक" (sainika), which in turn is derived from the word "सेना" (sena), meaning "army".
Malayalamസൈനികൻ
The Malayalam word "സൈനികൻ" is likely derived from the Sanskrit word "senika" or "sainika", both meaning "soldier" or "warrior."
Marathiसैनिक
The word "सैनिक" (soldier) is derived from the Sanskrit word "सैन्य" (army) and ultimately from the Indo-European root "*seh₂-/*keh₂-" (to cut, cut down).
Nepaliसिपाही
The word 'सिपाही' is derived from the Persian word 'سپاه' ('sepah'), meaning 'army', and ultimately from the Old Persian word 'spāda-' ('army').
Punjabiਸਿਪਾਹੀ
The word "ਸਿਪਾਹੀ" is derived from the Persian word "sipah" meaning "army" and the suffix "-i" indicating a member of a group.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)සොල්දාදුවා
Tamilசிப்பாய்
The word 'சிப்பாய்' also refers to the Indian mercenary soldiers, recruited by the British East India Company from South India.
Teluguసైనికుడు
The term "సైనికుడు" originates from the Sanskrit word "sena", meaning "army" or "force". In colloquial Telugu, "సైనికుడు" can also refer to any government official who wears a uniform, such as a policeman or a forest guard.
Urduسپاہی
The etymology of the Urdu word "سپاہی" (soldier) is traced back to the Sanskrit word "सैनिक" (soldier or warrior).

Soldier in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)士兵
{"text": "士兵 (Simplified Chinese) is a combination of 軍, meaning "army" and 士, meaning "scholar," and can also mean "warrior" or "officer.""}
Chinese (Traditional)士兵
"士兵" is a term with ancient Chinese origins, denoting both military personnel and armed civilians.
Japanese兵士
The word 兵士 also means "troop", "soldier" or "army".
Korean병사
병사 can refer to both a soldier and a private, while its Chinese character components mean "sick" and "person" respectively, suggesting the idea of an "ill person".
Mongolianцэрэг
The word "цэрэг" (soldier) is derived from the Mongolian word "цэр", meaning "to follow" or "to attend".
Myanmar (Burmese)စစ်သား
The Burmese word စစ်သား derives from Pali "setthi" which can also mean "wealthy person or merchant" in other Southeast Asian languages.

Soldier in South East Asian Languages

Indonesiantentara
The word "tentara" derives from the Sanskrit word "tantra", meaning "system" or "doctrine".
Javaneseprajurit
The Javanese word "prajurit" is derived from the Sanskrit word "prajaryta", meaning "person who is protected".
Khmerទាហាន
The word "ទាហាន" ("soldier") in Khmer derives from the Sanskrit word "drdha"," meaning "firm" or "strong".
Laoສປປລ
The word "ສປປລ" also refers to a type of bird known for its fierce and fearless behavior.
Malayaskar
The Malay word "askar" is derived from the Arabic word "askar", meaning "army". It can also refer to a group of people who are organized for a specific purpose, such as a team or a crew.
Thaiทหาร
The word "ทหาร" (soldier) in Thai likely derives from the Cambodian term "sot" meaning "fighter" or "warrior."
Vietnameselính
The word "lính" in Vietnamese can also refer to a type of spirit that is believed to protect soldiers in battle.
Filipino (Tagalog)sundalo

Soldier in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniəsgər
The word "əsgər" is derived from the Persian word "askar", which means "army" or "troops."
Kazakhсарбаз
The Kazakh word "сарбаз" is ultimately derived from the Persian "sarbāz" (soldier), but has also been interpreted as a combination of the Turkish words "sarı" (yellow) and "boz" (gray), referring to the uniforms of the Kazakh military.
Kyrgyzсолдат
The Russian loanword “солдат” (“soldier”) is commonly used in the Kyrgyz military. In the south of Kyrgyzstan it has acquired a pejorative sense of “riffraff.”
Tajikсарбоз
The word "сарбоз" is ultimately derived from the Persian word "sarbāz" meaning "soldier" and ultimately from the Turkish word "serbāz" meaning "warrior" or "soldier".
Turkmenesger
Uzbekaskar
The word "askar" also refers to a young, unmarried man, a student of a religious madrassah, or, sometimes, just an ordinary laborer in Uzbekistan
Uyghurئەسكەر

Soldier in Pacific Languages

Hawaiiankoa
In Hawaiian, the word "koa" also refers to a type of native hardwood tree known for its beauty and durability.
Maorihoia
Hoia can also mean 'to protect' or 'to guard'.
Samoanfitafita
The word 'fitafita' is also used to refer to a type of traditional Samoan dance performed by men.
Tagalog (Filipino)sundalo
The Tagalog word "sundalo" comes from the Spanish word "soldado", which is derived from the Latin word "solidus", meaning "solid" or "firm".

Soldier in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarasultaru
Guaraniguarini

Soldier in International Languages

Esperantosoldato
The Esperanto word "soldato" is derived from the Italian word "soldato", which in turn comes from the Latin word "solidus", meaning "solid" or "firm".
Latinmiles
Latin "miles" also means "soldier" in Old French; from there comes its English usage for units of distance, "miles".

Soldier in Others Languages

Greekστρατιώτης
The word στρατιώτης (soldier) derives from στρατός (army) and originally meant "one who serves in the army".
Hmongtub rog
The word "tub rog" in Hmong is derived from the Chinese word "bing", meaning "soldier or troops".
Kurdishleşker
The word "leşker" has been used in various languages throughout history, including Persian, Arabic, and Armenian, to refer to a collection of military personnel or warriors.
Turkishasker
"Asker" means "soldier" in Turkish, but it also can mean "student" or "pupil" in ancient Turkish.
Xhosaijoni
The use of "ijoni" for "soldier" is derived from the word "ingqolowa," meaning "wagon" or "cart," as soldiers were initially mounted on wagons.
Yiddishזעלנער
The Yiddish word "זעלנער" (soldier) derives from the German word "Söldner" (mercenary), and can also refer to a hired laborer or worker.
Zuluisosha
The word "isosha" can also refer to a "private soldier" or a "foot soldier" in Zulu.
Assameseচিপাহী
Aymarasultaru
Bhojpuriफौजी
Dhivehiސިފައިންގެމީހާ
Dogriशपाही
Filipino (Tagalog)sundalo
Guaraniguarini
Ilocanosoldado
Kriosojaman
Kurdish (Sorani)سەرباز
Maithiliफोजी
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯂꯥꯟꯃꯤ
Mizosipai
Oromololtuu
Odia (Oriya)ସ soldier ନିକ
Quechuaawqaq
Sanskritभट
Tatarсолдат
Tigrinyaወተሃደር
Tsongasocha

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