Soul in different languages

Soul in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'soul' holds a profound and multifaceted significance in various cultures and languages. It is often associated with the essence of a person, their inner being, and the intangible qualities that make them unique. This concept has been explored and celebrated across different civilizations, giving birth to a rich tapestry of interpretations and translations.

Throughout history, the soul has been a subject of fascination in philosophy, religion, literature, and art. It is believed to survive after death in many cultures, providing continuity and meaning to human existence. Moreover, the soul is often perceived as the source of emotions, creativity, and moral values.

Given the cultural importance of the soul, understanding its translation in different languages can offer valuable insights into how diverse societies perceive this intangible yet powerful concept. For instance, in Spanish, the word for soul is 'alma', while in French, it is 'âme'. In German, the term used is 'Seele', and in Japanese, the soul is referred to as 'tamashii'.

Explore the intriguing world of soul translations and deepen your appreciation for the richness and diversity of human culture and language.

Soul


Soul in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaanssiel
In Afrikaans, “siel” originates from the Dutch word “ziel” with cognates in many Germanic languages, but can also refer to the sole of a shoe.
Amharicነፍስ
The word "ነፍስ" in Amharic also refers to one's desire, intention, or thought.
Hausarai
In Hausa, "rai" not only means "soul" but also refers to the "self" or "personhood" and the "essence" or "core" of something.
Igbonkpuru obi
The word "nkpuru obi" in Igbo can also mean "the inner sanctum of the heart".
Malagasyfanahinao manontolo
The etymology of "fanahinao manontolo" suggests a concept of impermanence and constant transformation.
Nyanja (Chichewa)moyo
The word "moyo" in Nyanja (Chichewa) also means "life" and "breath".
Shonamweya
The word 'mweya' can also denote 'the nature' in the sense it is akin to the 'character or spirit' of a particular entity in Shona.
Somalinafta
The Somali word "nafta" also means "life" or "personhood".
Sesothomoea
The Sesotho word 'moea' can mean 'shadow' and 'that which accompanies' (shadow, spirit, conscience).
Swahiliroho
In Swahili, "roho" also means "life", "mind", "spirit", and "breath".
Xhosaumphefumlo
The word "umphefumlo" can also refer to "breath" or "life" in Xhosa.
Yorubaọkàn
The word 'ọkàn' can also mean 'mind', 'heart', or 'conscience' depending on the context.
Zuluumphefumulo
The Zulu word 'umphefumulo' derives from 'phefumula', meaning 'to breathe' or 'to blow' and is associated with the animating principle of a person.
Bambarani
Eweluʋɔ̃
Kinyarwandaroho
Lingalamolimo
Lugandaomwoyo
Sepedimoya
Twi (Akan)ɔkra

Soul in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicالروح
The Arabic word "الروح" (ar-ruh) originates from the root word "ر-و-ح" (r-w-ḥ) which means "to breathe" or "to give life" and is often used to refer to the breath of life or the vital force within a living being.
Hebrewנֶפֶשׁ
The word נֶפֶשׁ is also used to refer to a person or animal, and in Biblical Hebrew it can also mean 'throat' or 'life'.
Pashtoروح
Pashto "روح" is derived from the Proto-Indo-Iranian */rawx-/ ('breath, spirit, life'), from which also English "reek" and "air" and Sanskrit "prān-a" ('breath, life').
Arabicالروح
The Arabic word "الروح" (ar-ruh) originates from the root word "ر-و-ح" (r-w-ḥ) which means "to breathe" or "to give life" and is often used to refer to the breath of life or the vital force within a living being.

Soul in Western European Languages

Albanianshpirti
In Albanian, the word "shpirti" shares its origin with the word "shpirt" in Romanian and is related to the French "esprit" and the English "spirit".
Basquearima
The Basque word "arima" also means "breath" or "spirit".
Catalanànima
The word "ànima" is also used in Catalan to refer to the core or kernel of something.
Croatianduša
The word 'duša' in Croatian can also mean 'breath' or 'spirit', and is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *duša, which means 'breath'.
Danishsjæl
"Sjæl" can also refer to the Danish word for 'seal,' 'sælh'.
Dutchziel
The word "ziel" in Dutch can also refer to a person's life or vitality.
Englishsoul
The word "soul" comes from the Latin "anima," meaning "breath, life, or spirit."
Frenchâme
The word "âme" is derived from the Latin word "anima," meaning "breath, life, or soul."
Frisiansiel
In Frisian, "siel" not only means "soul" but also an area of marshland that has been reclaimed from the river.
Galicianalma
"Alma" in Galician can also mean "heart" or "mind".
Germanseele
The German word "Seele" derives from Proto-Germanic "*saiwalō," meaning "that which makes something alive" or "that which blows."
Icelandicsál
In Old Norse, 'sál' referred to the soul and the deceased, who were referred to as the 'sálir'.
Irishanam
The word 'anam' also means 'breath' and 'life' in Irish culture.
Italiananima
The Italian word "anima" derives from the Latin word "animus," meaning "breath" or "life force."
Luxembourgishséil
The word "Séil" is thought to originate from the Proto-Indo-European root *seh₂-, meaning "to bind" or "to tie".
Malteseruħ
The word "ruħ" in Maltese is derived from the Arabic word "ruh", which also means "spirit" or "breath of life".
Norwegiansjel
In Norwegian, "sjel" can also refer to the seat of emotion, the deepest part of the mind, or the essence of a person
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)alma
In Arabic, "alma" means "knowledge" and "grace".
Scots Gaelicanam
Scots Gaelic "anam" derives from Old Irish "anam", meaning not only "soul" but also "breath" or "life".
Spanishalma
The word "alma" in Spanish comes from the Latin word "anima," which also means "life."
Swedishsjäl
In addition to its spiritual meaning, the word "själ" can also refer to a person's inner essence or the core of their being.
Welshenaid
The word 'enaid' in Welsh has alternate meanings of 'breath' and 'life'.

Soul in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianдуша
Belarusian "душа" relates to the Slavic etymon "духъ" (''dukh''), meaning not only "soul", but also "breath", "spirit", "scent", "odor" or "stench".
Bosnianduša
In addition to its spiritual sense, "duša" can also be a term of endearment in Bosnian.
Bulgarianдуша
The word “душа” derives from Proto-Slavic and is cognate with words for “breath” and “air” in other Slavic languages.
Czechduše
"Duše" also means "tire". They're both "flat".
Estonianhing
The word "hing" in Estonian is cognate with the German word "Geist", meaning mind or spirit, and the English word "hence"}
Finnishsielu
A derivate of the word 'sielu' ('soul'), 'sielukas' ('emotional') refers to a person full of soul and deep emotions.
Hungarianlélek
In Hungarian, the word "lélek" (soul) also refers to a person's personality and disposition.
Latviandvēsele
The Latvian word "dvēsele" traces its roots to the Sanskrit word "dveshati" which also denotes breathing.
Lithuaniansiela
Lithuanian word "siela" is related to the ancient Baltic word "sielos", denoting the breath of life, vitality and a person's inner being.
Macedonianдушата
The word "душата" can also refer to a person's character or personality.
Polishdusza
The word "dusza" in Polish derives from Proto-Slavic "dъša", meaning breath, life, soul or spirit.
Romaniansuflet
The Romanian word "suflet" is derived from the Latin "sufflare," meaning "to breathe" or "to blow," suggesting the soul's connection to breath and life force.
Russianдуша
The word 'душа' also refers to 'life' in Old Russian and 'sweetheart' or 'honey' in colloquial speech.
Serbianдуша
In Serbian, душа "duša" also means "life".
Slovakduša
The word “duša” in Slovak, meaning soul, comes from Proto-Slavic *dъša, which also means breath or life.
Slovenianduša
The word "duša" in Slovenian is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *duša, which also meant "life" or "breath".
Ukrainianдуша
The etymological root of the Ukrainian word “душа” (“soul”) is the same as that of the English word “psyche”, and refers to the breath or spirit.

Soul in South Asian Languages

Bengaliআত্মা
The word 'আত্মা' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'atman', which means 'self' or 'essence'.
Gujaratiઆત્મા
The word "आत्मा" (soul) in Gujarati shares the same etymology as the Sanskrit word "आत्मान" (self) and can also refer to the essence or core of something.
Hindiअन्त: मन
The word "अन्त:मन" literally means "internal mind" and is often associated with inner self or conscience.
Kannadaಆತ್ಮ
The word "ಆತ್ಮ" (ātma) in Kannada also means "self" or "essence" and is related to the Sanskrit word "ātman" meaning "inner self" or "breath."
Malayalamആത്മാവ്
"ആത്മാവ്" means "soul" in Malayalam, but the Sanskrit word "Atman" means "self" or "breath".
Marathiआत्मा
The word 'आत्मा' originally meant 'breath' or 'life' in Sanskrit, its root word being 'अन्' (to breathe).
Nepaliआत्मा
The word "आत्मा" (soul) in Nepali is derived from the Sanskrit word "आत्मन्" (self), which also means "essence" or "core".
Punjabiਆਤਮਾ
The word 'ਆਤਮਾ' ('soul') in Punjabi derives from the Sanskrit word 'ātmā', meaning 'self' or 'essence', and is also used in Sikhism to refer to the divine spark within each individual.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)ආත්මය
The word ආත්මය (āthmaya) is derived from the Sanskrit word "ātman," which also means "self" or "essence."
Tamilஆன்மா
The Tamil word "ஆன்மா" also means "consciousness", "essence", and "spirituality".
Teluguఆత్మ
The word "ఆత్మ" in Telugu also means "self, mind, or essence of a thing".
Urduروح
The word "روح" (soul) in Urdu can also refer to a spirit, ghost, or the essence of something.

Soul in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)灵魂
The word “灵魂” is derived from the character “魂”, which was originally used to refer to the “breath” or “wind” that was believed to animate the body, and the character “灵”, which refers to a “spirit” or “supernatural being”.
Chinese (Traditional)靈魂
The character "靈魂" is composed of the radicals "示" (god) and "巫" (shaman), suggesting a connection between spirits and religious practices.
Japanese
The Japanese word 魂 (たましい) derives from the Buddhist concept of 'atman' (self) and can also refer to a person's personality or character.
Korean영혼
'영혼' also designates the person who is the subject of a state, mood, or feeling.
Mongolianсүнс
In Mongolian, the word "сүнс" can also refer to a spirit or a ghost.
Myanmar (Burmese)စိတ်ဝိညာဉ်

Soul in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianjiwa
"Jiwa" also means "life" in Indonesian, highlighting the deep connection between the two concepts in the Indonesian worldview.
Javanesenyawa
In Javanese, "nyawa" not only refers to the "soul" but also to the "breath" and "life force".
Khmerព្រលឹង
The word "ព្រលឹង" also encompasses the concepts of "spirit" and "consciousness".
Laoຈິດວິນຍານ
It is derived from the Sanskrit word "citta-vijñana", meaning "state of pure consciousness".
Malayjiwa
The Arabic cognate of "jiwa" means "direction" or "region", suggesting a possible connection to the idea of the soul "leading" the body.
Thaiวิญญาณ
The word "วิญญาณ" (soul) in Thai can also refer to a person's consciousness, perception, or understanding.
Vietnameselinh hồn
"Linh hồn" derives from the Chinese characters "灵" (spirit) and "魂" (soul), and can also refer to a person's character or personality.
Filipino (Tagalog)kaluluwa

Soul in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijanican
In addition to its primary meaning of "soul," the Azerbaijani word "can" can also refer to "life" or "person."
Kazakhжан
The word "жан" (soul) comes from the Proto-Turkic word "can" (life) and has alternate meanings of "person", "self", and "body"
Kyrgyzжан
The Kyrgyz word "жан" also refers to life, vitality, or a person's inner self.
Tajikҷон
The word "ҷон" in Tajik can also mean "life" or "person".
Turkmenjan
Uzbekjon
The word "jon" is also used in Uzbek to indicate a beloved person.
Uyghurجان

Soul in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianʻuhane
ʻUhane is thought to have a dual meaning: spirit or breath.
Maoriwairua
The word "wairua" in Maori has various alternate meanings, including "essence", "life force", and "spirit".
Samoanagaga
The word "agaga" also refers to the immaterial part of a person, including the mind and emotions
Tagalog (Filipino)kaluluwa
The word 'kaluluwa' in Tagalog is derived from the Malay word 'roh', meaning 'spirit' or 'essence'.

Soul in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaraajayu
Guaraniãnga

Soul in International Languages

Esperantoanimo
The Esperanto word "animo" derives from the Latin "animus", meaning "mind", and also "spirit", "breath", and "life".
Latinanima mea
The word "anima mea" in Latin can also mean "my life" or "my breath."

Soul in Others Languages

Greekψυχή
The Greek word "ψυχή" can refer to the breath, wind, life, mind, or soul, and is the root of the English word "psychology".
Hmongtus ntsuj
The word "tus ntsuj" can also refer to one's spirit or essence, as well as to the afterlife.
Kurdishrûh
The Kurdish word rûh (soul) comes from the Persian word rūḥ, which also means "spirit" or "mind".
Turkishruh
The term "ruh" is derived from the Persian word "rawân", meaning "life" or "spirit".
Xhosaumphefumlo
The word "umphefumlo" can also refer to "breath" or "life" in Xhosa.
Yiddishנשמה
The Yiddish word "נשמה" (neshome) can also mean breath, life, or spirit.
Zuluumphefumulo
The Zulu word 'umphefumulo' derives from 'phefumula', meaning 'to breathe' or 'to blow' and is associated with the animating principle of a person.
Assameseআত্মা
Aymaraajayu
Bhojpuriआत्मा
Dhivehiފުރާނަ
Dogriआत्मा
Filipino (Tagalog)kaluluwa
Guaraniãnga
Ilocanokararua
Kriosol
Kurdish (Sorani)گیان
Maithiliआत्मा
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯊꯋꯥꯏ
Mizothlarau
Oromolubbuu
Odia (Oriya)ପ୍ରାଣ
Quechuanuna
Sanskritआत्मा
Tatarҗан
Tigrinyaመንፈስ
Tsongamoya

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