Swing in different languages

Swing in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

The word 'swing' holds a unique place in our global lexicon, transcending cultural boundaries with its significance and charm. It represents a rhythmic motion, a style of music, and even a carefree attitude. From the playful back-and-forth of children on a swing set to the infectious beats of jazz music, 'swing' embodies a sense of joy and freedom.

Historically, the Swing Era of the 1930s and 1940s left an indelible mark on the world of music, giving birth to a distinct sound that still resonates today. This period also popularized the dance style known as the 'Lindy Hop,' a lively and acrobatic dance that embodies the very essence of 'swing.'

Understanding the translation of 'swing' in different languages can provide valuable insights into how various cultures interpret and celebrate this concept. Here are a few examples:

  • French: balançoire
  • Spanish: balanceo
  • German: Schaukel
  • Italian: altalena
  • Japanese: スウィング (suuingu)

Stay tuned for a comprehensive list of 'swing' translations in various languages, showcasing the global appeal and cultural significance of this versatile word.

Swing


Swing in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansswaai
The word "swaai" in Afrikaans may have originated from the Dutch word "sweien", meaning "to swing" or "to sway".
Amharicመወዛወዝ
The word "መወዛወዝ" also means "to sway" or "to rock" in Amharic.
Hausalilo
"Lilo" shares an etymology with its Hausa near-homonym "lelo" and the Arabic word "layl," both of which mean "night," as it refers to a nighttime recreational activity.
Igbongabiga
"Ngabiga" can also mean "oscillation" or "fluctuation" in Igbo, highlighting its versatile usage beyond its primary meaning as "swing".
Malagasysavily
The word "savily" in Malagasy may also refer to a type of traditional dance.
Nyanja (Chichewa)kugwedezeka
The word "kugwedezeka" in Nyanja can also mean "to stagger" or "to sway".
Shonaswing
The Shona word "swing" can also mean "to hang" or "to be suspended".
Somalilulid
The word "lulid" can also refer to swaying or vibrating.
Sesothosesa
The word "sesa" can also mean "to sway" or "to rock back and forth" in Sesotho.
Swahiliswing
The Swahili word 'swing' may also refer to an act of cheating or deceit.
Xhosaujingi
In the Xhosa language, 'ujingi' also denotes a lively and bustling atmosphere.
Yorubagolifu
The word 'golifu' in Yoruba also refers to the act of shaking or vibrating.
Zulujika
The word "jika" in Zulu also refers to a dance performed by Zulu women.
Bambarabúmusò
Ewedayidagbɔe
Kinyarwandaswing
Lingaladyemba
Lugandaokwesuuba
Sepedihwidinya
Twi (Akan)rekora

Swing in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicتأرجح
The verb تأرجح (ta’arjuḥ) does not only mean "to swing", it can also mean "to sway" or "to be suspended".
Hebrewנַדְנֵדָה
"נַדְנֵדָה" comes from the Aramaic root נדף" to shake
Pashtoبدلول
The word “بدلول” is derived from the Arabic word “بدل”, meaning “exchange” or “alternative”.
Arabicتأرجح
The verb تأرجح (ta’arjuḥ) does not only mean "to swing", it can also mean "to sway" or "to be suspended".

Swing in Western European Languages

Albanianlëkundje
The word "lëkundje" can also refer to a vibration, oscillation, or swaying motion.
Basquekulunka
The word "kulunka" can also refer to a swing in a child's cot or a small hand-held swing.
Catalangronxador
In Catalan, the word “gronxador” also refers to the act of enjoying a swing ride.
Croatianljuljačka
The word "ljuljačka" in Croatian is also used to refer to a specific type of playground equipment, a seesaw.
Danishsvinge
Danish "svinge" derives from Old Norse "svangr", meaning "flexible" or "pliable".
Dutchschommel
In addition to meaning "swing," the Dutch word "schommel" also refers to a type of boat.
Englishswing
The word "swing" can also refer to a type of music or a style of dancing.
Frenchbalançoire
"Balançoire" also means "see-saw" in French, which is a type of swing with a long plank balanced in the middle.
Frisianswaaie
The Frisian word "swaaie" is a cognate of the Dutch "zwaaien" (to swing), which is thought to be derived from the Proto-West-Germanic root "*swaighō" (to swing, to rock).
Galicianbalance
No Galician, "balance" also means "scale" and is related to the Spanish word "balanza".
Germanschwingen
The word 'Schwingen' can also refer to a traditional Swiss wrestling style or to the oscillation of a quantum mechanical wavefunction.
Icelandicsveifla
The word "sveifla" in Icelandic can also refer to the act of swaying or oscillating, as well as to a type of traditional Icelandic dance.
Irishswing
The verb 'swing' is derived from the Middle English verb 'swingen', meaning 'to beat or strike'.
Italianswing
In Italian, "swing" can also refer to a type of dance or a genre of jazz music known as "swing jazz."
Luxembourgishschwéngung
Maltesejitbandal
"Jitbandal" is derived from the Italian "zitellone," meaning "a young bachelor."
Norwegiansvinge
"Svinge" can also mean "to beat", "to whip", or "to sway".
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)balanço
In Portuguese, "balanço" can also mean "balance" or "financial statement."
Scots Gaelicswing
In Scots Gaelic, "swing" can also refer to a lively dance or a lively tune.
Spanishcolumpio
"Columpio" is the diminutive of the word "columna" (column), and it refers to the way the swing is suspended from a fixed point.
Swedishgunga
"gunga" also means to wobble, rock or sway.
Welshswing
The word "swing" is also used to refer to a type of dance or a style of music in Welsh.

Swing in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianарэлі
The word "арэлі" is sometimes used figuratively to refer to a state of euphoria or exhilaration.
Bosnianljuljačka
The word "ljuljačka" in Bosnian is onomatopoeic, derived from the sound "lju" made when swinging, while its alternate meaning of "pendulum" reflects its similar motion.
Bulgarianлюлка
In Old Slavic, "люлька" meant any object that rocks; the original meaning is preserved in the name of the baby cradle.
Czechhoupačka
"Houpačka" is a diminutive form of "houpací lavice", which means "rocking bench". The word "houpat" (to swing) comes from the Proto-Slavic verb "xupati" (to jump).
Estoniankiik
The Estonian word "kiik" likely shares an origin with the Latvian "
Finnishkeinu
The word "keinu" originally referred to a rocking cradle for a baby; also a cradle song.
Hungarianhinta
"Hinta" derives ultimately from the Slavic word "*chъtati" (“to tremble, shake, swing"), thus being related to the English "to shake".
Latvianšūpoles
The word
Lithuaniansūpynės
The Lithuanian word for swing, "sūpynės," is derived from the verb "sūpuoti," meaning "to rock" or "to sway.
Macedonianзамав
The word "замав" also refers to a kind of seesaw in the shape of a ladder.
Polishhuśtawka
The word "huśtawka" is derived from the verb "hustać", which means to swing or sway.
Romanianleagăn
The word "leagăn" comes from the Proto-Slavic word *lękati, which also means "to swing".
Russianкачели
Качели are a type of pendulum and the word comes from the Russian verb 'качать' which means 'to rock' or 'to swing'.
Serbianсвинг
In Serbian, "свинг" (swing) can also refer to a type of music genre or a state of being carefree and relaxed.
Slovakhojdačka
In Czech, “houpačka” means “swing”. In Polish, “huśtawka” also means 'swing'. In Serbian, “hucka” means both “swing” and “cradle.
Sloveniangugalnica
The word "gugalnica" is derived from the verb " gugati," meaning "to rock" or "to swing."
Ukrainianгойдалки
The word "гойдалки" can also refer to a type of traditional Ukrainian dance performed on a swing.

Swing in South Asian Languages

Bengaliদোল
In Bangladesh, "দোল" is a traditional swing but also refers to the celebration of Holi, the Hindu festival of colors.
Gujaratiસ્વિંગ
The word 'swing' in Gujarati, 'સ્વિંગ', is also a verb meaning to swing from a hanging rope or chain
Hindiझूला
The word "झूला" (jhuula) likely originated from the Sanskrit word "झोला" (jhola), meaning "a bag" or "a cradle". It can also refer to a type of Indian folk dance in which women or girls twirl around holding the ends of a long cloth suspended from a central point.
Kannadaಸ್ವಿಂಗ್
The word
Malayalamഊഞ്ഞാലാടുക
Marathiस्विंग
स्विंग - swing (as a verb), hang (as in a place), go up (as in an airplane)
Nepaliस्विing
In Hindi and Nepali, the word "swing" can also mean "temperament" or "mood".
Punjabiਸਵਿੰਗ
In Punjabi, 'ਸਵਿੰਗ' ('swing') is also used to describe the act of swaying or oscillating, or as a metaphor for fluctuating or wavering.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)පැද්දීම
In addition to meaning "swing," පැද්දීම can refer to the "cycle or swing" in the sense of the "course, motion, or revolution" of an object or event.
Tamilஸ்விங்
In Tamil, "ஸ்விங்" (swing) can also refer to a particular type of traditional folk dance performed in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.
Teluguస్వింగ్
In Telugu, 'స్వింగ్' (swing) also refers to a rhythmic motion similar to swaying or rocking, making it a versatile term with dynamic connotations.
Urduسوئنگ
سوئنگ is also a measure of weight in gold. In this sense, one سوئنگ is equivalent to 1.6 grams

Swing in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)摇摆
The word “摇摆” in Chinese can also mean “to sway” or “to oscillate.”
Chinese (Traditional)搖擺
搖擺 can also refer to swaying, wavering, or oscillating.
Japaneseスイング
The word "スイング" can also mean "to shift","to change","or "to move" in Japanese.
Korean그네
"그네" is cognate with "그리다" meaning "to hang".
Mongolianдүүжин
The Mongolian word "дүүжин" also means "to swing" as a verb, and is derived from the Mongolian word "дүү" (to bend).
Myanmar (Burmese)လွှဲ
The word "လွှဲ" can also mean "to move from one place to another" or "to change one's position."

Swing in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianayunan
The word "ayunan" is also used to refer to a type of traditional Indonesian lullaby.
Javaneseayunan
In Javanese, "ayunan" can also refer to a type of traditional dance accompanied by singing.
Khmerតំលៃ
In addition to meaning "swing," "តំលៃ" can also mean "value" or "price" in Khmer.
Laoແກວ່ງ
In addition to meaning "swing," the word "ແກວ່ງ" also means "to oscillate" or "to swing back and forth."
Malayhayun
Hayun can also refer to the Malay folk dance movement of swinging the hips from side to side.
Thaiแกว่ง
The Thai word "แกว่ง" (kaeo) can also mean "to shake" or "to wave" an object.
Vietnameselung lay
In Vietnamese, "lung lay" can also refer to the oscillation or swaying motion of a suspended object or a body of water.
Filipino (Tagalog)indayog

Swing in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniyelləncək
The word "yelləncək" in Azerbaijani has alternate meanings such as "cradle" or "rocking chair" and is derived from the verb "yellənmək" which means "to sway" or "to swing".
Kazakhәткеншек
The word "әткеншек" is also used in Kazakh to describe a type of baby cradle that is rocked back and forth.
Kyrgyzселкинчек
The term “селкинчек” can refer both to a swing and to something fragile that can be easily broken, as well as a child
Tajikбосуръат
The word "босуръат" in Tajik comes from the Persian word "bosra" (literally, "to hang") and the suffix "-at" which denotes an object or instrument.
Turkmenyrgyldamak
Uzbekbelanchak
Belanchak comes from the Uzbek word "belancha" meaning "to push or swing" and "ak" meaning "white".
Uyghurswing

Swing in Pacific Languages

Hawaiiankowali
The Hawaiian word “kowali” or “kowali kaula” means swing or noose, and is likely derived from the Proto-Austronesian word *qulî, meaning "to coil or hang loose."
Maoripiu
The word "piu" can also refer to the act of swaying or rocking, or to a type of Maori dance accompanied by rhythmic chanting.
Samoantaupega
The Samoan word "taupega" not only means "swing," but also has alternate meanings such as "to hesitate" and "to be indecisive."
Tagalog (Filipino)indayog
Indayog is derived from the Sanskrit word 'dolay', meaning 'to swing'.

Swing in American Indigenous Languages

Aymararitmu
Guaraniñemyatymói

Swing in International Languages

Esperantosvingi
In Slavic languages, "swingi" means "holy" or "sacred".
Latinadductius
Adductius is related to the concept of "leading," and shares a common root with the verb "adducere," meaning "to lead," "to bring," or "to draw closer."

Swing in Others Languages

Greekκούνια
The word "κούνια" derives from the ancient Greek verb "κουνάω", meaning "to move or shake".
Hmongviav vias
Viav vias is the term for the wooden swing used by the Hmong as a toy or for relaxation.
Kurdishhejandin
The word 'hejandin' is also used to describe a type of Kurdish folk dance that involves swinging.
Turkishsallanmak
"Sallanmak" is also used to describe the act of "shaking" or "vibrating."
Xhosaujingi
In the Xhosa language, 'ujingi' also denotes a lively and bustling atmosphere.
Yiddishמאַך
In Yiddish, "מאַך" can also mean "to make" or "to do"
Zulujika
The word "jika" in Zulu also refers to a dance performed by Zulu women.
Assameseঝুলা
Aymararitmu
Bhojpuriझूला
Dhivehiސްވިންގ
Dogriझुलारा
Filipino (Tagalog)indayog
Guaraniñemyatymói
Ilocanoi-uyauy
Kriochenj
Kurdish (Sorani)جوڵانە
Maithiliझूला
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯍꯥꯏꯕ
Mizothen
Oromorarra'ee socho'uu
Odia (Oriya)ସୁଇଙ୍ଗ୍
Quechuakuskachay
Sanskritदोला
Tatarселкенү
Tigrinyaምውዝዋዝ
Tsongajolomba

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