Talent in different languages

Talent in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

Talent, a word that signifies a natural ability or aptitude, has been a topic of interest across cultures and languages. Its significance extends beyond mere skill, as it encompasses innate potential and the capacity for greatness. Throughout history, talented individuals have shaped societies, from artists to scientists, musicians to leaders. The concept of talent is not confined to a single language or culture, but is a universal concept that transcends borders.

Understanding the translation of talent in different languages can provide valuable insights into how various cultures perceive and value natural abilities. For example, in Spanish, talent is translated as 'talento', while in French, it is 'talent'. In Mandarin, the word for talent is '天赋', which literally means 'heavenly gift'. These translations not only reflect linguistic differences, but also cultural nuances and values.

Join us as we explore the translations of talent in a variety of languages, shedding light on the global significance of this important concept.

Talent


Talent in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaanstalent
In Afrikaans, "talent" can also refer to a currency, specifically the South African half-cent coin minted between 1965 and 1989.
Amharicችሎታ
"Члота" in an alternate meaning also refers to "a form of divination by examining the shoulder blade of a sheep".
Hausabaiwa
The Hausa word "baiwa" is also used to refer to the measurement of grain or other dry goods.
Igbotalent
The Igbo word "talent" also means "the highest monetary unit used by ancient Greeks."
Malagasytalent
The Malagasy word "talent" originally meant "silver coin" and then "weight".
Nyanja (Chichewa)talente
The word "talente" in Nyanja is derived from the Latin word "talentum" which referred to a unit of currency or weight used during the Roman empire.
Shonatarenda
In Shona, 'tarenda' translates to 'talent' and is derived from the word 'renda' meaning 'to measure or weigh'.
Somalikarti
The Somali word "karti" is also used to refer to a person's potential or capability.
Sesothotalenta
The word "talenta" in Sesotho has its roots in the biblical parable of the talents, where it represents a monetary gift or endowment.
Swahilitalanta
The word "talanta" in Swahili also refers to a unit of currency or money.
Xhosaitalente
In Xhosa, 'italente' is derived from the verb 'ukutala', meaning 'to obtain, acquire' or 'to gain something'
Yorubaẹbùn
Ẹbùn can mean 'gift', 'treasure', or 'inheritance', and is related to the word 'gbọn', meaning 'wisdom'.
Zuluithalente
In addition to its primary meaning as "talent" or "skill", "ithalente" can also refer to a person's natural abilities or potential, or to a particular gift or quality.
Bambaraseko ni dɔnko
Ewetalento ƒe ŋutete
Kinyarwandaimpano
Lingalatalent
Lugandaekitone
Sepeditalente ya
Twi (Akan)talente

Talent in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicموهبة
موهبة also means 'natural gift' or 'grace of God' and is derived from its root 'h-b-h' meaning 'to give'
Hebrewכִּשָׁרוֹן
The Hebrew word "כִּשָׁרוֹן" (talent) is derived from the root word "כּשר", which means "fit", "suitable", or "able".
Pashtoاستعداد
The word "استعداد" in Pashto can also mean "ability" or "capacity."
Arabicموهبة
موهبة also means 'natural gift' or 'grace of God' and is derived from its root 'h-b-h' meaning 'to give'

Talent in Western European Languages

Albaniantalent
The Albanian word "talent" comes from the Greek word "talanton" and originally meant "a large unit of money or weight".
Basquetalentua
"Talentua" is derived from the Greek word "talanton," which originally referred to a unit of weight and currency.
Catalantalent
In Catalan, the noun “talent” can mean “talent”, but it can also mean “piece of metal or material”
Croatiantalenat
The Croatian word "talenat" originates from the Ancient Greek word "talanton", meaning "scale" or "balance".
Danishtalent
In Danish, "talent" also refers to a unit of weight or currency.
Dutchtalent
In Dutch, "talent" specifically means a former monetary unit used in the Netherlands, Flanders and northern France.
Englishtalent
In ancient Greece, a 'talent' was a unit of currency equal to 6,000 drachmas.
Frenchtalent
In French, "talent" also refers to an ancient unit of weight or currency, while "talentueux" means "talented".
Frisiantalint
The Frisian word "talint" is a loanword from French and is not related to the English word "talent". In Frisian, "talint" specifically refers to a measurement of gold or silver.
Galiciantalento
In Galician, "talento" also means "nephew".
Germantalent
In German, "talent" is also an archaic unit of currency or weight.
Icelandichæfileiki
In Old Norse, hæfileiki could also mean "ability" or "skill."
Irishtallann
The word 'tallann' finds its roots in the French word 'talent' and the Latin word 'talentum', which both refer to the scales used to weigh precious metals.
Italiantalento
The word "talento" in Italian derives from the ancient Greek unit of currency that bore the same name and was depicted with a balance scale, resulting in its alternate meaning of "balance"
Luxembourgishtalent
"Talent" also means "weight" and derives from Old Latin "talentum".
Maltesetalent
In Maltese, the word "talent" derives from the verb "talenta" meaning "to weigh" and can also refer to a metal ingot or a large sum of money.
Norwegiantalent
The word 'talent' comes from the Greek 'talanton,' which originally referred to a unit of weight or a sum of money.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)talento
The Portuguese word "talento" comes from the Ancient Greek word "talanton" and could also refer to a monetary unit worth around 20 pounds of silver.
Scots Gaelictàlant
In Scots Gaelic, 'tàlant' also signifies 'inclination' or 'desire'.
Spanishtalento
The word "talento" in Spanish derives from the ancient Greek unit of currency, the "talent"
Swedishtalang
The Old English 'talent' meant a large weight with a value corresponding to 75 English pounds and was later adopted into Swedish and spelled as 'talang' with the same meaning, although it was not used in that context in Sweden.
Welshtalent
In Welsh, "talent" refers to a physical unit of weight rather than a natural ability.

Talent in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianталент
The word "талент" in Belarusian also means "coin" or "treasure", derived from the Greek "talanton".
Bosniantalent
U bosanskomu jeziku riječ „talent” označava „novac ili imetak”, a izvedena je od grčke riječi „talanton”, što je bila jedinica mjere težine i valuta u Antičkoj Grčkoj.
Bulgarianталант
The word "талант" in Bulgarian comes from the Greek word "τάλαντον" and can also mean a unit of weight or a sum of money.
Czechtalent
The word "talent" in Czech also refers to a historical unit of weight equal to 25.33 kilograms or 56 pounds.
Estoniananne
"Anne" also means "merit, credit, worth" in Estonian
Finnishlahjakkuutta
The word 'lahjakkuutta' also means 'brilliance' in Finnish.
Hungariantehetség
'Tehetség' comes from the Turkic word 'tayat', which means 'young horse' or 'foal'.
Latviantalants
The Latvian word "talanti" (plural) is a loan from Greek "talanton", which originally referred to a weight measurement and then to a unit of currency.
Lithuaniantalentas
In Lithuanian, the word "talentas" is derived from the Greek word "talanton", which originally meant a balance or a scale used for weighing money or other objects.
Macedonianталент
In addition to ability and skill, the word "талент" may also refer to a monetary unit in some contexts.
Polishtalent
In Polish, the word "talent" can also refer to an ancient coin used in the biblical era, similar to the English usage of the term "talent".
Romaniantalent
The Romanian word "talent" also means a unit of ancient weight and measure.
Russianталант
The word «талант» (talent) comes from the Greek word «τάλαντον» (talanton), which referred to a unit of weight and currency.
Serbianталенат
"таленат" also means an old unit of weight, typically 20-30 kilograms.
Slovaktalent
The word "talent" derives from the Greek word "talanton" which means "scales" or "balance" and refers to a unit of weight or currency.
Sloveniantalent
"Talent" can also refer to an ancient Greek weight (approx. 26 kg) or an ancient Indian coin.
Ukrainianталант
In Ukrainian, the word “талант” also signifies a monetary unit used by the Greeks in antiquity.

Talent in South Asian Languages

Bengaliপ্রতিভা
Bengali প্রতিভা 'talent' derives from Sanskrit pratibhā 'mental manifestation, genius, inspiration,' ultimately from prefix prati- 'in answer to' and bhā 'light, radiance'.
Gujaratiપ્રતિભા
The word 'પ્રતિભા' has alternate meanings in Gujarati, including 'inspiration' and 'genius'.
Hindiप्रतिभा
The Sanskrit word "प्रतिभा" also means "consciousness" and "intelligence".
Kannadaಪ್ರತಿಭೆ
"ಪ್ರತಿಭೆ" originates from the Sanskrit "प्रतिभा" (pratibhā), meaning "manifestation, intelligence, genius, talent".
Malayalamകഴിവ്
The Malayalam word "കഴിവ്" also has the meanings "ability" and "skill".
Marathiप्रतिभा
The word प्रतिभा was also used in ancient Indian Sanskrit literature to mean “beauty,” “genius,” and “splendor,”.
Nepaliप्रतिभा
The word प्रतिभा (pratibha) in Nepali shares its Sanskrit roots with the ancient Vedic concept of 'shining forth' (pra-tābh-a), representing the inherent luminosity and brilliance within an individual.
Punjabiਪ੍ਰਤਿਭਾ
Sinhala (Sinhalese)දක්ෂතා
The Sinhala word "දක්ෂතා" is derived from the Sanskrit word "दक्षता" and can also refer to "competence" or "proficiency."
Tamilதிறமை
"திறமை" also refers to a special power or ability
Teluguప్రతిభ
"ప్రతిభ" (talent) comes from the Sanskrit word "प्रतिभा" (pratibha), which means "knowledge". It can also mean "genius" or "skill".
Urduپرتیبھا
The Urdu word 'پرتیبھا,' originally meaning 'genius or brilliance,' derives from the Sanskrit word 'pratibha,' which means 'intuition or inspiration.'

Talent in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)天赋
天赋 has also been used to refer to the mandate of heaven, a concept that legitimized the rule of emperors.
Chinese (Traditional)天賦
The character "天" in "天賦" originally meant "sky" or "heaven" and was used to denote something bestowed by divine powers.
Japanese才能
"才能" is sometimes used to describe inherent qualities, not necessarily developed skills, unlike its English counterpart; it's a loanword from the Chinese "cái néng".
Korean재능
The word "재능" can also mean "a person with extraordinary ability" or "a natural gift or aptitude".
Mongolianавьяас
The verb "авьяах" (to make able) and the noun "авьяас" (talent) share the same root and stem
Myanmar (Burmese)အခွက်တဆယ်
The word "talent" in Myanmar (Burmese) is a weight measure of about 32 kilograms, and can also refer to money, knowledge, or skill.

Talent in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianbakat
The word 'bakat' in Indonesian is derived from the Arabic word 'baqarah', which means 'excellence' or 'skill'.
Javanesetalenta
The word “talenta” also means “intelligence” or “skill” in Javanese.
Khmerទេពកោសល្យ
In classical Sanskrit, the word "divya-Kauśalya" means "a heavenly art, a heavenly faculty, a supernatural power".
Laoພອນສະຫວັນ
Lao word spelling of "talent" has another meaning of "heaven" in Thai.
Malaybakat
"Bakat" also means a scar in some regions.
Thaiพรสวรรค์
"พรสวรรค์" comes from Sanskrit and also means "nature" or "character".
Vietnamesenăng lực
Năng lực derives from the Sino-Vietnamese năng lực, meaning 'ability', 'competence', and 'capability'.
Filipino (Tagalog)talento

Talent in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniistedad
The Azerbaijani word "İstedad" can also be translated as "gift" or "ability".
Kazakhталант
In Kazakh, "талант" (talent) can also refer to a unit of weight equal to about 32 kilograms.
Kyrgyzталант
The word "талант" in Kyrgyz can also refer to a "hidden treasure" within a person.
Tajikистеъдод
The word is likely derived from Persian and may also mean 'ability', 'gift', 'skill', or 'aptitude'.
Turkmenzehin
Uzbekiste'dod
In Uzbek, "iste'dod" literally means "ability" but can also be used to describe an individual's exceptional skill or aptitude in a particular area.
Uyghurئىختىساسلىقلار

Talent in Pacific Languages

Hawaiiankālena
The word "kālena" can also refer to a type of dance or a specific dance step.
Maoritaranata
"Taranata" in Maori also refers to the idea of "mana" (spiritual power or excellence).
Samoantaleni
Taleni can also refer to a person’s expertise, knowledge, or aptitude.
Tagalog (Filipino)talento
The word "talento" is derived from the Spanish word "talento", which in turn comes from the Latin word "talentum", meaning "scale" or "balance".

Talent in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaratalento ukax mä juk’a pachanakanwa
Guaranitalento rehegua

Talent in International Languages

Esperantotalento
The word "talento" in Esperanto is a direct borrowing from the Spanish word "talento" meaning "talent", and is also the Esperanto translation of the English "talent".
Latintalentum
The Latin "talentum" shares an origin with the Greek "talanton", possibly from an ancient Semitic language.

Talent in Others Languages

Greekταλέντο
Apart from its modern meaning, "ταλέντο" can also refer to an ancient Greek coin or a unit of weight.
Hmongtxuj ci
The word "txuj ci" literally means "hand and foot" in Hmong, and was originally meant to refer to someone with good skills in craftsmanship or the arts.
Kurdishjîrî
The etymology of "jîrî" is disputed, some believe it originates from Persian "chehre" (face), while others propose a Kurdish origin.
Turkishyetenek
The word 'yetenek' is derived from the Arabic word 'yatanaqa', which means 'to be able to do something'.
Xhosaitalente
In Xhosa, 'italente' is derived from the verb 'ukutala', meaning 'to obtain, acquire' or 'to gain something'
Yiddishטאַלאַנט
The word 'טאַלאַנט' also has a biblical meaning of measurement, similar to the Greek 'talent'.
Zuluithalente
In addition to its primary meaning as "talent" or "skill", "ithalente" can also refer to a person's natural abilities or potential, or to a particular gift or quality.
Assameseপ্ৰতিভা
Aymaratalento ukax mä juk’a pachanakanwa
Bhojpuriप्रतिभा के बारे में बतावल गइल बा
Dhivehiހުނަރެވެ
Dogriप्रतिभा
Filipino (Tagalog)talento
Guaranitalento rehegua
Ilocanotalento
Kriotalɛnt
Kurdish (Sorani)بەهرە
Maithiliप्रतिभा
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯇꯦꯂꯦꯟꯇ ꯂꯩꯕꯥ꯫
Mizotalent nei tha tak a ni
Oromodandeettii
Odia (Oriya)ପ୍ରତିଭା
Quechuatalento nisqa
Sanskritप्रतिभा
Tatarталант
Tigrinyaተውህቦ
Tsongatalenta

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