Tool in Different Languages
Discover 'Tool' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
A tool is an essential item, a man-made object or piece of equipment that helps us to do a job or activity more efficiently and effectively. From the first stone tools used by early humans to the sophisticated technology we have today, tools have been crucial in shaping our world and culture. They have helped us to hunt, farm, build, and create, enabling us to survive and thrive in a variety of environments.
The significance of tools extends beyond their practical uses. They have also been used as symbols of power, knowledge, and innovation. For example, in ancient Egypt, tools were often depicted in hieroglyphs as symbols of craftsmanship and skill. In modern times, tools have become synonymous with progress and development, representing humanity's ability to solve problems and create new possibilities.
Understanding the translation of the word 'tool' in different languages can provide insight into how different cultures view and use tools. Here are some sample translations:
- French: outil
- Spanish: herramienta
- German: Werkzeug
- Mandarin: 工具 (gōngjù)
- Japanese: 道具 (dōgu)
By learning these translations, we can not only expand our vocabulary but also appreciate the cultural significance of tools in different societies.
Tool
Tool in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | gereedskap | ||
| The Afrikaans term "gereedskap" comes from the Middle Dutch "ghereedscap" (prepared state, readiness), but later came to mean "collection of tools". | |||
| Amharic | መሣሪያ | ||
| In Amharic, 'መሣሪያ' can refer not only to physical instruments but also to abstract concepts like 'means' or 'method'. | |||
| Hausa | kayan aiki | ||
| Hausa word 'kayan aiki' derives from the Arabic word 'kayy' meaning 'hand' and 'aiki' meaning 'work' | |||
| Igbo | ngwá ọrụ | ||
| The word "ngwá ọrụ" (tool) in Igbo is also used to describe a person's ability or skill. | |||
| Malagasy | fitaovana | ||
| The word "Fitaovana" in Malagasy can also refer to an instrument or a device used for a specific purpose. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | chida | ||
| In certain Nyanja dialects, 'chida' can also refer to a type of tree or a specific tool used in agriculture. | |||
| Shona | mudziyo | ||
| In addition to meaning 'tool' in Shona, 'mudziyo' also refers to a person who is used or exploited by others. | |||
| Somali | qalab | ||
| The word "qalab" can also refer to a weapon or utensil. | |||
| Sesotho | sesebelisoa | ||
| The word "sesebelisoa" can also refer to a device or instrument used for a particular purpose. | |||
| Swahili | chombo | ||
| The word 'chombo' in Swahili is derived from the Proto-Bantu word '*tsomba', meaning 'hoe'. It also refers to a 'container' or 'vessel'. | |||
| Xhosa | isixhobo | ||
| Isixhobo, meaning "tool" in Xhosa, also refers to a musical instrument or a weapon. | |||
| Yoruba | irinṣẹ | ||
| The word "irinṣẹ" in Yoruba derives from the roots "irin" (metal) and "ṣẹ" (to make), signifying the material and purpose of tools. | |||
| Zulu | ithuluzi | ||
| The word 'ithuluzi' in Zulu, in addition to meaning 'tool', also carries the metaphorical meaning of 'a means or way to achieve something' | |||
| Bambara | minɛn | ||
| Ewe | dɔwɔnu | ||
| Kinyarwanda | igikoresho | ||
| Lingala | esaleli | ||
| Luganda | ekikozesebwa | ||
| Sepedi | thulusi | ||
| Twi (Akan) | akadeɛ | ||
Tool in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | أداة | ||
| The word "أداة" in Arabic can also mean "instrument", "means", or "vehicle". | |||
| Hebrew | כְּלִי | ||
| The word 'כלי' ('tool') can also mean 'vessel' or 'container' in Hebrew. | |||
| Pashto | توکی | ||
| The word "توکی" in Pashto is also related to the word "توک", which refers to the act of weaving and can be used as a noun for a woven item. | |||
| Arabic | أداة | ||
| The word "أداة" in Arabic can also mean "instrument", "means", or "vehicle". | |||
Tool in Western European Languages
| Albanian | mjet | ||
| The Albanian word "mjet" is etymologically related to the Latin word "mitis" (gentle) and can also refer to a weapon. | |||
| Basque | tresna | ||
| The Old Basque word "tresna" also designated something of value; in Old Norse, "tres" could mean 'treasure'. | |||
| Catalan | eina | ||
| The term "eina" in Catalan originates from the Latin term "aedes", meaning "house" or "building". | |||
| Croatian | alat | ||
| In Croatian, the word 'alat' also means a 'musical instrument' or a 'device'. | |||
| Danish | værktøj | ||
| The word "værktøj" is derived from the Old Norse words "verk" (work) and "tøj" (a tool or instrument), and it encompasses not only physical tools but also abstract concepts and methods of working. | |||
| Dutch | gereedschap | ||
| The word "gereedschap" derives from the Middle Dutch "gheredescap", meaning "equipment used by knights." | |||
| English | tool | ||
| The word 'tool' can also refer to a person who is easily manipulated or controlled. | |||
| French | outil | ||
| The French word "outil" is derived from the Latin word "ūtensīlis", meaning "useful". | |||
| Frisian | helpmiddel | ||
| The word "helpmiddel" in Frisian is derived from the Old Frisian words "help" and "middel", meaning "assistance" and "means". | |||
| Galician | ferramenta | ||
| "Ferramenta" also means "hardware" in Galician, but refers to the tools used for a specific trade. | |||
| German | werkzeug | ||
| The word "Werkzeug" is derived from the Middle High German "wercziuc," meaning "something used for work," and is related to the Old English "weorc," meaning "work". | |||
| Icelandic | verkfæri | ||
| The Icelandic word "verkfæri" originated from the words "verk" (deed, work) and "færi" (skill, capability), implying both the physical tool and the skill required to use it effectively. | |||
| Irish | uirlis | ||
| In a secondary sense "uirlis" can also refer to an object that serves as a tool, not just in a practical sense (such as a hammer) but more often a personal attribute (such as bravery). | |||
| Italian | attrezzo | ||
| The word 'attrezzo' also derives from the Latin 'aptare', which means 'to adjust' or 'to prepare' | |||
| Luxembourgish | outil | ||
| The word "Outil" in Luxembourgish shares its origin with the French word "outil" and the English word "tool", all of which derived from the Latin word "utensilium." | |||
| Maltese | għodda | ||
| "Għodda" can also refer to a person's skills or abilities. | |||
| Norwegian | verktøy | ||
| Like the English word 'gear', the word 'verktøy' means tools as well as that which makes a machine turn (wheels, gears, etc.) | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | ferramenta | ||
| The Portuguese word "ferramenta" is derived from the Latin word "ferramentum", meaning "piece of iron". | |||
| Scots Gaelic | inneal | ||
| The word 'inneal' derives from the Old Irish word 'indlea', meaning 'instrument' or 'appliance'. | |||
| Spanish | herramienta | ||
| The word "herramienta" comes from the Latin word "ferramentum" which means "an iron tool or instrument". | |||
| Swedish | verktyg | ||
| Old Norse 'verk' translates to 'work' and 'tyg' means 'stuff,' thus 'verktyg' means 'work stuff' | |||
| Welsh | offeryn | ||
| The word 'offeryn' comes from the Latin word 'offerendum', meaning 'something offered' or 'a sacrifice'. In Welsh, it has come to mean 'tool' more generally, likely due to the common practice of offering tools to the gods or spirits in ancient times. | |||
Tool in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | інструмент | ||
| The word "інструмент" in Belarusian derives from the Polish cognate "instrument" and can also mean "musical instrument". | |||
| Bosnian | alat | ||
| "Alat" has other meanings, such as "instrument" and "machine". | |||
| Bulgarian | инструмент | ||
| The Bulgarian word "инструмент" also denotes "musical instrument", similar to the English word "instrument". | |||
| Czech | nástroj | ||
| In Czech, the word "nástroj" also means 'musical instrument'. | |||
| Estonian | tööriist | ||
| In Estonian, the word "tööriist" literally means "work iron" and is cognate with the German word "Werkzeug," which has the same meaning. | |||
| Finnish | työkalu | ||
| The word työkalu is derived from the Proto-Finnic word *työtekalu, meaning "something used for work." | |||
| Hungarian | eszköz | ||
| The word "eszköz" can also mean "resource" or "means" in Hungarian. | |||
| Latvian | rīks | ||
| The word "rīks" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *reg- "to stretch, pull, guide," which is also the source of the English word "reach". | |||
| Lithuanian | įrankis | ||
| The word "įrankis" in Lithuanian is also used to refer to a mechanism or device. | |||
| Macedonian | алатка | ||
| The word "алатка" also means "a device, gadget, or utensil" in Macedonian. | |||
| Polish | narzędzie | ||
| "Narzędzie" (Polish for "tool") is related to the Czech "nářadí" and the Slovak "náradie", all ultimately deriving from the Proto-Slavic *orǫdije, meaning "tool" or "weapon". | |||
| Romanian | instrument | ||
| In Romanian, "instrument" can also mean a musical instrument, a device for measuring or recording something, or a legal document. | |||
| Russian | инструмент | ||
| The word "инструмент" is also used figuratively to refer to a means or method to achieve a goal in Russian. | |||
| Serbian | оруђе | ||
| Оруђе means "weapon" in Russian and "equipment" in Czech and Slovak. | |||
| Slovak | nástroj | ||
| In Slovak, "nástroj" can mean both "tool" and "instrument", with the latter used to describe musical instruments. | |||
| Slovenian | orodje | ||
| The Slovenian word for 'tool', 'orodje', stems from the Proto-Slavic noun *orъdie, a derivative of the verb *oriti ('to plough'). | |||
| Ukrainian | інструмент | ||
| The Ukrainian word "інструмент" is derived from the Latin word "instrumentum", which means "means, equipment, or tool". | |||
Tool in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | টুল | ||
| The Bengali word "টুল" (tool) is derived from the Sanskrit word "टूल" (tūla), meaning "balance" or "weighing scale". It also refers to a device used to lift or move heavy objects. | |||
| Gujarati | સાધન | ||
| In Gujarati, the word "સાધન" also refers to a means or method for achieving something. | |||
| Hindi | साधन | ||
| In Sanskrit, साधन (sādhana) also signifies a spiritual practice, discipline, or method for achieving a particular goal. | |||
| Kannada | ಸಾಧನ | ||
| The word "ಸಾಧನ" is also used in the sense of "resource" or "means" in Kannada. | |||
| Malayalam | ഉപകരണം | ||
| The word "ഉപകരണം" originally meant "something that is held in the hand" and could refer to a weapon or instrument. | |||
| Marathi | साधन | ||
| In the Marathi language, साधन ("sadhan") is used as a tool in both its physical and spiritual connotation, often referring to the process or means to achieve an objective or attain spiritual enlightenment. | |||
| Nepali | उपकरण | ||
| The Sanskrit word “upkarana”, from which “upkaran” derives, also means “part of the body.” | |||
| Punjabi | ਸੰਦ ਹੈ | ||
| The Punjabi word "ਸੰਦ ਹੈ" comes from the same root as the English word "send", and can also refer to "sending" or "dispatching" in addition to "tool." | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | මෙවලම | ||
| The Sinhala word "මෙවලම" also means "means" or "way", highlighting its significance not only as a physical object but also as a metaphor for achieving something. | |||
| Tamil | கருவி | ||
| The Tamil word "கருவி" originally referred to plant or animal organs used as tools, such as teeth or claws. | |||
| Telugu | సాధనం | ||
| The word "సాధనం" in Telugu can also refer to a means, method, or instrument. | |||
| Urdu | آلے | ||
| Alternate meanings of "آلے" include "instrument", "organ", "contrivance", "implement", "gadget", and "apparatus". | |||
Tool in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 工具 | ||
| "工具" (tool) can also mean "means" or "implement" in Chinese. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 工具 | ||
| 工具 can also refer to 'implements', 'instruments' or 'utensils'. | |||
| Japanese | ツール | ||
| The word "ツール" (tsūru) is derived from the Portuguese word "torno" (lathe), and also means "crane" or "winch". | |||
| Korean | 수단 | ||
| The word "수단" also means "means" or "way". | |||
| Mongolian | хэрэгсэл | ||
| In Mongolian, "хэрэгсэл" also refers to objects that help complete a task, such as kitchenware, furniture, and clothing. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | tool ကို | ||
| The word "tool ကို" can also refer to a weapon or instrument. | |||
Tool in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | alat | ||
| The word "alat" can also refer to a musical instrument, especially a gong. | |||
| Javanese | alat | ||
| The Javanese word "alat" not only means "tool" but also can refer to "means" or "way" to achieve something. | |||
| Khmer | ឧបករណ៍ | ||
| The Khmer word "ឧបករណ៍" (tool) is derived from Sanskrit and has the alternate meaning of "instrument." | |||
| Lao | ເຄື່ອງມື | ||
| Malay | alat | ||
| The word "alat" can also refer to a musical instrument or a charm used in traditional Malay rituals | |||
| Thai | เครื่องมือ | ||
| The term "เครื่องมือ" can also refer to "instruments" or "devices". | |||
| Vietnamese | dụng cụ | ||
| The word "dụng cụ" can also mean "utensil" or "instrument." | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | kasangkapan | ||
Tool in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | alət | ||
| The word 'alət' is also occasionally used in a metaphorical sense such as a 'right-hand man' or an 'assistant'. | |||
| Kazakh | құрал | ||
| The word "құрал" can also mean "weapon" or "equipment" in Kazakh. | |||
| Kyrgyz | курал | ||
| The word “курал” has an additional meaning in the Kyrgyz language, which is a “stick” used for the purpose of “punishment” of children. | |||
| Tajik | асбоб | ||
| In Persian, the word "асбоб" also means "means" or "way". | |||
| Turkmen | gural | ||
| Uzbek | vosita | ||
| Originally a Persian word, "vosita" can also mean "facility" or "resource" in Uzbek. | |||
| Uyghur | قورال | ||
Tool in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | mea hana | ||
| "Mea hana" literally means "thing for work". | |||
| Maori | taputapu | ||
| The Maori word "taputapu" also refers to sacred objects used in religious ceremonies. | |||
| Samoan | mea faigaluega | ||
| The word mea faigaluega, meaning tool, is constructed from the words mea (thing) and faigaluega (work). | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | kasangkapan | ||
| The word "kasangkapan" comes from the root word "sangkapan, | |||
Tool in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | iraminta | ||
| Guarani | tembiporu | ||
Tool in International Languages
| Esperanto | ilo | ||
| The word "ilo" in Esperanto can also refer to a "means" or "instrumentality". | |||
| Latin | tool | ||
| The Latin word 'tool', can also refer to a weapon, a device or an instrument. | |||
Tool in Others Languages
| Greek | εργαλείο | ||
| The word "εργαλείο" in Greek also means "organ" or "instrument" and comes from the ancient Greek word "ἔργον" (ergon), meaning "work". | |||
| Hmong | twj | ||
| The Proto-Hmong–Mien word *tɔːj means "hoe, digging instrument" and likely has a Proto-Austroasiatic origin. | |||
| Kurdish | hacet | ||
| The word "hacet" also means "need" or "desire" in Kurdish. | |||
| Turkish | araç | ||
| Araç is also a synonym for 'vehicle' and originates from the Ottoman Turkish word 'a'rac' derived from the Arabic word 'araba' (chariot). | |||
| Xhosa | isixhobo | ||
| Isixhobo, meaning "tool" in Xhosa, also refers to a musical instrument or a weapon. | |||
| Yiddish | געצייַג | ||
| The word "געצייַג" in Yiddish can also refer to a set of tools or equipment used for a specific purpose. | |||
| Zulu | ithuluzi | ||
| The word 'ithuluzi' in Zulu, in addition to meaning 'tool', also carries the metaphorical meaning of 'a means or way to achieve something' | |||
| Assamese | সঁজুলি | ||
| Aymara | iraminta | ||
| Bhojpuri | साधन | ||
| Dhivehi | ޓޫލް | ||
| Dogri | संदर | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | kasangkapan | ||
| Guarani | tembiporu | ||
| Ilocano | alikamen | ||
| Krio | tul | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | ئامراز | ||
| Maithili | औजार | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯈꯨꯠꯂꯥꯏ | ||
| Mizo | hmanrua | ||
| Oromo | meeshaa | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ସାଧନ | ||
| Quechua | llamkana | ||
| Sanskrit | उपकरण | ||
| Tatar | корал | ||
| Tigrinya | መሳርሒ | ||
| Tsonga | xitirho | ||