Updated on March 6, 2024
A 'tourist' is someone who travels to and explores new places for pleasure, leisure, or cultural enrichment. Tourism is a significant global industry, generating revenue, employment, and cultural exchange worldwide. The word 'tourist' itself has fascinating historical contexts, with its roots in the Latin 'tornare' (to turn) and the Old English 'tornian' (to travel for pleasure).
Understanding the translation of 'tourist' in different languages can enrich your travel experiences and foster cross-cultural communication. For instance, in Spanish, a tourist is a 'turista,' while in French, they're called a 'touriste.' In Mandarin Chinese, the word is '旅客' (lǚ kè), and in Japanese, it's '観光客' (kankō-kyaku).
Explore the world of travel and language by learning the various translations of 'tourist.' Discover how this simple word bridges cultural gaps and fosters a sense of global unity.
Afrikaans | toeris | ||
The Afrikaans word "toeris" is derived from the Dutch word "toerist", which in turn comes from the French word "touriste", meaning "one who travels for pleasure". | |||
Amharic | ቱሪስት | ||
The Amharic word "ቱሪስት" can also refer to someone who visits a place for a brief period of time. | |||
Hausa | yawon shakatawa | ||
The word "yawon shakatawa" in Hausa is also used to refer to a person who travels for leisure or as a hobby. | |||
Igbo | njem nleta | ||
The word "njem nleta" can also mean "one who travels" or "wayfarer" in Igbo. | |||
Malagasy | mpizaha tany | ||
The word "mpizaha tany" also means "traveler" or "passerby" in Malagasy. | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | alendo | ||
In Chichewa, the word "alendo" is derived from the verb "kualenda" which means "to wander around". | |||
Shona | mushanyi | ||
‘Mushanyi’ refers to a person who has arrived from a foreign land, specifically Europeans. | |||
Somali | dalxiis | ||
The etymology of 'dalxiis' is likely from the root 'dal' meaning 'to go' or 'to visit,' indicating a connection to movement or travel. | |||
Sesotho | mohahlauli | ||
The word "mohahlauli" in Sesotho can also refer to someone who is new to a place or a situation, or to someone who is foolish or naive. | |||
Swahili | mtalii | ||
The word 'mtalii' is derived from the Arabic word 'tali'a' meaning 'to go out' or 'to wander', suggesting that tourists are those who venture beyond their home territory. | |||
Xhosa | umkhenkethi | ||
The word "umkhenkethi" can also mean "stranger" or "outsider" in Xhosa. | |||
Yoruba | oniriajo | ||
Oniriajo is derived from the Yoruba words “oniri” (one who wanders) and “ajo” (journey). | |||
Zulu | izivakashi | ||
In Northern Nguni the word 'izivakashi' means "people who are visiting" and therefore 'tourists'. | |||
Bambara | turisiw ye | ||
Ewe | tsaɖila | ||
Kinyarwanda | mukerarugendo | ||
Lingala | touriste | ||
Luganda | omulambuzi | ||
Sepedi | moeng wa maeto | ||
Twi (Akan) | nsrahwɛfo | ||
Arabic | سائح | ||
The word 'سائح' is derived from the Arabic root 'س-ي-ح' meaning 'to travel' and can also refer to 'a pilgrim' or 'a mendicant' | |||
Hebrew | תייר | ||
The Hebrew word “תייר” literally means “one who circles around,” referring to an explorer who travels widely. | |||
Pashto | سیاح | ||
The word "سیاح" also means "traveler" in Pashto. | |||
Arabic | سائح | ||
The word 'سائح' is derived from the Arabic root 'س-ي-ح' meaning 'to travel' and can also refer to 'a pilgrim' or 'a mendicant' |
Albanian | turistike | ||
In Albanian, the word "turistike" not only means "tourist" but also "traveler" or "visitor". | |||
Basque | turistikoa | ||
The word "turistikoa" in Basque derives from the French word "touriste", itself derived from the Latin "tornista", meaning "person who travels around". | |||
Catalan | turístic | ||
The word "turístic" in Catalan also has the alternate meaning of "related to tourism". | |||
Croatian | turist | ||
In Croatian, 'turist' can also refer to a member of a Turkish cavalry regiment, a tourist guide or a traveller who stays in a place for a short time | |||
Danish | turist | ||
In Danish, "turist" originally referred to those who traveled for pleasure or leisure rather than business. | |||
Dutch | toerist | ||
In Dutch, "toerist" also means "one who gazes" or "one who strolls". | |||
English | tourist | ||
The word "tourist" derives from the Latin "tornus," meaning "a lathe" or "spinning wheel," and came to refer to a pilgrim making a circuit of religious sites. | |||
French | touristique | ||
"Touristique" originally derives from "tournoyer": to turn, or to go from one place to another. | |||
Frisian | toerist | ||
The word "toerist" in Frisian can also refer to a "vacationer" or "holidaymaker." | |||
Galician | turístico | ||
The Galician word "turístico" can also mean "relating to a bullfight". | |||
German | tourist | ||
In German "Tourist" can also mean "hiker". | |||
Icelandic | ferðamaður | ||
"Ferðamaður" means "traveler" in Icelandic, and is derived from the Old Norse word "ferð", meaning "journey" or "travel." | |||
Irish | turasóir | ||
An alternate meaning of "turasóir" is "one who travels for pleasure or education," a more active meaning than the English "tourist." | |||
Italian | turista | ||
In Italian, | |||
Luxembourgish | touristesch | ||
The word "touristesch" derives from the French "touriste" and can also mean "touristy" or "unoriginal". | |||
Maltese | turistiku | ||
The word "turistiku" in Maltese is cognate with the English "tourism" and ultimately derives from the Latin "tornus" (turn), referring to a revolving movement or journey. | |||
Norwegian | turist | ||
The word "turist" in Norwegian also means "a person who travels for pleasure," in contrast to "reisende" which refers to a business traveler. | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | turista | ||
In Portuguese, "turista" can also refer to someone suffering from gastrointestinal distress while traveling, due to the consumption of contaminated food or water. | |||
Scots Gaelic | turasachd | ||
The word “turasachd” in Scots Gaelic has the alternate meaning “pilgrimage”. | |||
Spanish | turista | ||
Turista comes from the Latin "tueri" meaning "to observe or look at". | |||
Swedish | turist | ||
The Swedish word "turist" originally referred to a traveler who stayed overnight, from the French word "touriste" meaning "one who takes a tour". | |||
Welsh | twristiaid | ||
The word "twristiaid" is derived from the verb "twristio" meaning "to travel or wander" |
Belarusian | турыстычны | ||
The word турыстычны also means "travel-related" in the context of "travel agency" in Belarusian. | |||
Bosnian | turist | ||
In Bosnian, 'turist' can also refer to someone who frequently visits a particular place or activity. | |||
Bulgarian | туристически | ||
The word "туристически" also means "travel-related" or "pertaining to tourism" in Bulgarian. | |||
Czech | turistické | ||
Turistic is a word that also means 'hiking' in Czech, while 'turista' is a person who goes on a hike. | |||
Estonian | turist | ||
"Turist" in Estonian can also refer to a person who spends a lot of time traveling for pleasure or a person who is unfamiliar with a place. | |||
Finnish | turisti | ||
Turisti is derived from the word 'turis', which in Middle Age Latin meant 'journey'. | |||
Hungarian | turista | ||
The Hungarian word turista, meaning "tourist", originated from the Italian "turista" meaning female tourist and "turista inglese" meaning English tourist. | |||
Latvian | tūrists | ||
In Latvian, "tūrists" can also mean "a person who visits a foreign country for pleasure." | |||
Lithuanian | turistas | ||
Turistas (tourist) derives from the Latin word "turba," meaning crowd. | |||
Macedonian | турист | ||
The word "турист" in Macedonian can also mean "traveler" or "visitor", and comes from the French word "touriste", which in turn comes from the Latin word "tornus", meaning "a lathe" or "a turning-point". | |||
Polish | turystyczny | ||
The word "turystyczny" in Polish also means "travel" or "tourism" in English. | |||
Romanian | turist | ||
The word "turist" in Romanian originates from the French "touriste" but also refers to a "bus route". | |||
Russian | турист | ||
The word "турист" derives from the Latin "tornare", meaning "to turn" or "to return", and implies a temporary stay in a place. | |||
Serbian | туристички | ||
The word "туристички" can be used to refer to a male tourist, while "туристичка" is used for a female tourist. | |||
Slovak | turistické | ||
The Slovak word "turistické" can also refer to "hiking" or "tourist-related activities." | |||
Slovenian | turistična | ||
The Slovenian word "turistična" originates from the French word "touriste", but it can also signify "scenic" if placed before a geographic location. | |||
Ukrainian | туристична | ||
The word "туристична" can also refer to something that is related to tourism or travel. |
Bengali | পর্যটক | ||
The word "পর্যটক" (tourist) is derived from the Sanskrit word "पर्यटन" (paryatan), which means "traveling" or "to move around". It can also refer to a person who makes a journey for pleasure or recreation. | |||
Gujarati | પર્યટક | ||
The Gujarati word 'પર્યટક' is derived from Sanskrit, where it means ' wanderer', ' pilgrim', or ' traveller'. | |||
Hindi | पर्यटक | ||
The Hindi word "पर्यटक" is derived from the Sanskrit word "परिव्राजक," meaning "one who roams". | |||
Kannada | ಪ್ರವಾಸಿ | ||
The word "ಪ್ರವಾಸಿ" (pravāsi) can also refer to a "guest" or "visitor" in Kannada, not just a "tourist". | |||
Malayalam | ടൂറിസ്റ്റ് | ||
In Malayalam, "ടൂറിസ്റ്റ്" can also mean a person who makes a pilgrimage to a holy place. | |||
Marathi | पर्यटक | ||
The word "पर्यटक" is related to the verb "परिवर्तन" (to wander) and hence, also means "a person who moves around" | |||
Nepali | पर्यटक | ||
The word पर्यटक (paryatak) is derived from the Sanskrit word 'पर्यट' (paryat), meaning 'to wander' or 'to travel', and adds the suffix '-क' (-ka) to form a noun. | |||
Punjabi | ਯਾਤਰੀ | ||
It's also used as a synonym for a pilgrim or a traveler. | |||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | සංචාරක | ||
The word 'සංචාරක' (tourist) is derived from the Sanskrit word 'संचार' (to move), and it can also refer to a pilgrim or a traveler. | |||
Tamil | சுற்றுலா | ||
சுற்றுலா, a Tamil word derived from 'சுற்று' meaning 'to go around' and 'லா' meaning 'to obtain', encompasses broader concepts like pilgrimage, sightseeing, and leisure travel, beyond just 'tourism'. | |||
Telugu | పర్యాటక | ||
The Telugu word "పర్యాటక" (paryāṭaka) literally means "one who roams about" or "wanderer". | |||
Urdu | سیاح | ||
The word “سیاح” originates from an Arabic root that can also mean “to travel, to roam, and/or to observe.” |
Chinese (Simplified) | 游客 | ||
The term 游客 (yóukè) not only refers to tourists but also generally to any person who goes somewhere for leisure. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 遊客 | ||
The word "遊客" refers not only to tourists but also to people who visit temples or other places of worship. | |||
Japanese | ツーリスト | ||
The word "ツーリスト" (tsu-ri-su-to) in Japanese comes from the English word "tourist", but it also can specifically refer to tourists who are travelling in a group with a tour guide. | |||
Korean | 관광객 | ||
'관광객' derives from '관'(to watch) and '광'(light). Its literal translation is someone who observes the world with a bright mind. | |||
Mongolian | жуулчин | ||
Myanmar (Burmese) | tourist ည့်သည် | ||
Indonesian | turis | ||
Turis (tourist) originated from the Italian word for 'a trip' or 'a tour'. | |||
Javanese | turis | ||
The word "turis" in Javanese can also mean "foreigner" or "outsider". | |||
Khmer | ទេសចរណ៍ | ||
The Khmer word "ទេសចរណ៍" also means "traveler" or "visitor", and is derived from the Sanskrit word "deśācaraṇa" meaning "moving from one place to another". | |||
Lao | ນັກທ່ອງທ່ຽວ | ||
Malay | pelancong | ||
Historically, 'pelancong' also referred to someone who strolled around aimlessly. | |||
Thai | นักท่องเที่ยว | ||
The Thai word "นักท่องเที่ยว" is derived from a combination of the words "นัก" (noun phrase), which translates to "person," and "ท่องเที่ยว" (verb), which translates to "to travel or tour," and therefore directly means "the person who travels" or "tourer." | |||
Vietnamese | khách du lịch | ||
Khách du lịch, in Vietnamese can be literally translated as "guests from other lands." | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | turista | ||
Azerbaijani | turist | ||
The word "turist" in Azerbaijani also has a secondary meaning of "lazy person" or "loafer". | |||
Kazakh | туристік | ||
The Kazakh word "туристік" originally meant "excursion" before acquiring its current meaning of "tourist". | |||
Kyrgyz | турист | ||
In Kyrgyz, "турист" can also mean "hiker" or "traveler". | |||
Tajik | сайёҳӣ | ||
The word "сайёҳӣ" in Tajik derives from the Arabic "سائح" meaning "wander or rove", and can also refer to "traveller", "visitor", or "guest". | |||
Turkmen | syýahatçy | ||
Uzbek | sayyoh | ||
The Russian word "turist" is derived from the Uzbek word "sayyoh", but the Uzbek word also has the meaning of "a person who is traveling for religious purposes (as to Mecca to perform the hajj or umrah."} | |||
Uyghur | ساياھەتچى | ||
Hawaiian | mākaʻikaʻi | ||
"Mākaʻikaʻi" means literally "to look for the sea", referring to tourists coming from other islands or lands. | |||
Maori | tūruhi | ||
The word "tūruhi" can also refer to a "traveller" or a "visitor". | |||
Samoan | turisi | ||
The word 'turisi' derives from the word 'turisi' in English. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | turista | ||
The Tagalog word "turista" also means "diarrhea", likely due to the prevalence of gastrointestinal issues among foreign visitors. |
Aymara | turista ukhamawa | ||
Guarani | turista rehegua | ||
Esperanto | turisto | ||
In Esperanto, "turisto" derives from "turo" (tower), indicating a person making a pilgrimage or excursion to a notable landmark or city. | |||
Latin | tornacense | ||
The word "Tornacense" can also refer to someone from the city of Tournai in Belgium. |
Greek | τουρίστας | ||
The Greek word "τουρίστας" can also refer to a "wanderer" or someone who is on a "pilgrimage." | |||
Hmong | kev ncig tebchaws | ||
The words "kev ncig tebchaws" are a compound word that directly translates to "people who temporarily live in a foreign land". | |||
Kurdish | gerrok | ||
The word 'gerrok' is derived from the Persian word 'gerd' meaning 'to move', and is also used to refer to nomads or wanderers. | |||
Turkish | turist | ||
The term "turist" is derived from the French "touriste" (traveler) and the Italian "turista" (vacationer). | |||
Xhosa | umkhenkethi | ||
The word "umkhenkethi" can also mean "stranger" or "outsider" in Xhosa. | |||
Yiddish | טוריסט | ||
The Yiddish word for tourist, "טוריסט" derives from the Greek word "περιήγησις" (periēgēsis), meaning "a going around" or "a description of a place." | |||
Zulu | izivakashi | ||
In Northern Nguni the word 'izivakashi' means "people who are visiting" and therefore 'tourists'. | |||
Assamese | পৰ্যটক | ||
Aymara | turista ukhamawa | ||
Bhojpuri | पर्यटक के नाम से जानल जाला | ||
Dhivehi | ފަތުރުވެރިއެކެވެ | ||
Dogri | पर्यटक | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | turista | ||
Guarani | turista rehegua | ||
Ilocano | turista | ||
Krio | turis we de kam waka de | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | گەشتیار | ||
Maithili | पर्यटक | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯇꯨꯔꯤꯁ꯭ꯠ ꯑꯣꯏꯕꯥ꯫ | ||
Mizo | tourist a ni | ||
Oromo | turistii ta’e | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ପର୍ଯ୍ୟଟକ | ||
Quechua | turista nisqa | ||
Sanskrit | पर्यटक | ||
Tatar | турист | ||
Tigrinya | በጻሒ ምዃኑ ይፍለጥ | ||
Tsonga | mupfhumba | ||