Tower in different languages

Tower in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 6, 2024

Towers have been an integral part of human civilization for centuries, serving as symbols of power, prosperity, and progress. From the majestic Tower of London to the iconic Eiffel Tower, these structures have captured our imagination and left an indelible mark on our cultural consciousness. But did you know that the word 'tower' has fascinating translations in different languages?

For instance, in Spanish, 'tower' is translated as 'torre,' which is derived from the Latin 'turris.' In German, it becomes 'Turm,' reflecting the country's rich history of castle towers and medieval architecture. Meanwhile, in Japanese, 'tower' is translated as 'tawaa,' which is written using the Chinese characters '高' (taka, meaning 'high' or 'tall') and '樓' (rou, meaning 'building' or 'edifice').

Exploring the translations of 'tower' in different languages offers a unique perspective on how different cultures perceive and value these magnificent structures. So, join us as we delve deeper into the world of towers and uncover more about their significance and cultural importance.

Tower


Tower in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaanstoring
The Afrikaans word "toring" is derived from the Dutch word "toren", which also means "tower".
Amharicማማ
The word 'ማማ' (Mama) in Amharic is of Cushitic origin and is etymologically related to the Somali word 'muumo' (hill).
Hausahasumiya
In Katsina Hausa, hasumiya also means "the most senior sister of a group of siblings."
Igboụlọ elu
The word "ụlọ elu" in Igbo is a compound noun meaning "building of height".
Malagasytilikambo
The Malagasy word "tilikambo" originally meant "high place" or "lookout point" but now refers specifically to bell towers or towers on churches.
Nyanja (Chichewa)nsanja
The word "nsanja" in Nyanja (Chichewa) can also refer to a tall, slender pole used for various purposes, such as supporting a structure or attaching a flag.
Shonashongwe
The name is etymologically linked to the word <cite>kungu</cite>, an archaic root for mountains.
Somalimunaaraddii
The word "munaaraddii" in Somali, which means "tower" or "lighthouse," is derived from the Arabic word "munara" with the same meaning.
Sesothotora
Sesotho "tora" derives from Bantu "tolo" (three), referring to a three-sided building or tower.
Swahilimnara
"Mnara" is also used in Swahili to refer to a lighthouse or beacon.
Xhosainqaba
The word "inqaba" can also refer to a person who is tall and imposing in stature.
Yorubaile-iṣọ
The Yoruba word 'ile-iṣọ' can also refer to a traditional garment worn by kings and chiefs, suggesting its significance as a symbol of authority and status.
Zuluumbhoshongo
The Zulu word 'umbhoshongo' also refers to the 'crown of a tree'
Bambarasankanso belebeleba
Ewexɔ kɔkɔ aɖe
Kinyarwandaumunara
Lingalalinɔ́ngi ya molai
Lugandaomunaala
Sepeditora ya tora
Twi (Akan)abantenten a ɛwɔ soro

Tower in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicبرج
The word "برج" in Arabic also means "a sign of the zodiac" or "a constellation".
Hebrewמִגדָל
"מִגדָל" can also mean a stack of something, e.g. a stack of money or a stack of dishes.
Pashtoبرج
In addition to its literal meaning of "tower," the Pashto word "برج" (burj) can also refer to a minaret, an astrological sign, or a constellation.
Arabicبرج
The word "برج" in Arabic also means "a sign of the zodiac" or "a constellation".

Tower in Western European Languages

Albaniankulla
The word "kulla" in Albanian derives from the Latin "curia" and also means "council" or "city hall".
Basquedorrea
In Basque the word "dorrea" can also refer to a hill or a peak and originates from the Proto-Basque word "*dor(r)-" meaning "height".
Catalantorre
In Catalan, "torre" derives from the Latin word "turris", meaning "tower" or "fortress" and can also refer to a tall, narrow building with many floors.
Croatiantoranj
The word "toranj" in Croatian is derived from the Persian word "tornag" meaning "arch" or "vault".
Danishtårn
Old Norse ‘tǫrn’ means ‘projecting peak, pinnacle’ which is related to ‘tindr’ meaning ‘mountain peak’.
Dutchtoren
"Toren" in Dutch can also refer to a spire or a steeple, and is derived from the Latin "turris", meaning "tower."
Englishtower
The word 'tower' can also refer to a tall, narrow structure built for defense or observation, such as a watchtower or castle keep.
Frenchla tour
French "la tour" meant "the bull" in Old French, and was used as a metaphor for tall, strong buildings
Frisiantoer
In Frisian, "toer" can also refer to a steeple or a lighthouse.
Galiciantorre
In Galician, "torre" can also refer to a rocky hill or a heap of stones.
Germanturm
The German word “Turm” is related to the English word “term”, both stemming from the Latin “terminus” meaning “end” or “boundary”
Icelandicturninn
In Icelandic, "turninn" (tower) is also used figuratively to refer to an elevated place or a prominent figure.
Irishtúr
The Irish word "túr" can also refer to a defensive structure with a circular base.
Italiantorre
The word "Torre" also denotes a "torrone", a typical Italian nougat.
Luxembourgishtuerm
The word 'Tuerm' also means 'fort' or 'castle', and is derived from the Latin word 'turris', meaning 'tower' or 'fortified structure'.
Maltesetorri
The word "torri" in Maltese is derived from the Latin word "turris" and can also be used to refer to the defensive structures built on the walls of fortifications.
Norwegiantårn
In addition to its literal meaning of 'tower', 'tårn' can also refer to something that is large and unwieldy or to a stack of objects.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)torre
The word "torre" in Portuguese can also refer to a bullfighting ring or a small village.
Scots Gaelictùr
The word "tùr" can also refer to a hill or mound, or a large rock or boulder.
Spanishtorre
In addition to "tower", "torre" can also refer to a castle stronghold or a bullfighting arena in Spanish.
Swedishtorn
The word "torn" in Swedish also means "thorn" or "prickle".
Welshtwr
The Welsh word "twr" can also refer to a tumulus or burial mound.

Tower in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianвежа
In the past, вежа could also refer to an observation point, a fortification, or a residential building with multiple storeys.
Bosniantoranj
"Toranj" (tower) in Bosnian also means "turban" in Iranian origin.
Bulgarianкула
"Кула" means "tower" in Bulgarian, but also "prison" in Turkish, "watchtower" in Romanian, and "ball" in Hindi.
Czechvěž
The word "věž" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *vežь, meaning "height" or "fortification."
Estoniantorn
In Estonian, the word "torn" also means a small tower for drying crops.
Finnishtorni
The etymological source of "torni" is the Germanic word "thorn", which originally referred to a defensive tower, and is also the root of the modern English word "thorn".
Hungariantorony
Derived from the Slavic word "torn" meaning fortification, "torony" also refers to a rook in chess.
Latviantornis
The Latvian word "tornis" is also used to refer to a small, decorative tower or turret, particularly one found on a castle or other historic building.
Lithuanianbokštas
In Lithuanian, "bokštas" can also refer to a building with multiple floors, a fortress, or a person who is tall and strong.
Macedonianкула
The word "кула" can also mean "watchtower" or "dungeon" in Macedonian.
Polishwieża
"Wieża" derives from "widz", meaning "lookout", as towers were originally used as vantage points to survey the surroundings.
Romanianturn
The Romanian word "turn" shares its etymology with the English word "tower", both deriving ultimately from the Latin word "turris".
Russianбашня
In Russian, the word "башня" can also refer to a type of hairstyle worn by women.
Serbianкула
The word "кула" in Serbian, meaning "tower," may also refer to a fortified settlement or a small castle.
Slovakveža
The word "veža" also means "prison" in Slovak, derived from the German word "Gefängnis" through the Hungarian "vezér".
Slovenianstolp
In the past, 'stolp' could refer to a prison or a wooden pole on which criminals were executed.
Ukrainianвежа
The word "вежа" can also mean "a tall, slender tree" in Ukrainian.

Tower in South Asian Languages

Bengaliটাওয়ার
The Bengali word "টাওয়ার" (tower) is borrowed from the English word "tower".
Gujaratiટાવર
The word "ટાવર" (tower) is derived from the Old French word "tour," while its alternate meanings are a tall building, a castle, or a column.
Hindiमीनार
The word 'मीनार' ('tower') is also a synonym for the lighthouse (a building with a lamp at the top to guide ships at night).
Kannadaಗೋಪುರ
The word "ಗೋಪುರ" (tower) in Kannada is derived from the Sanskrit word "gopura" which means "city gate".
Malayalamടവർ
The word "ടവർ" can also mean "a raised platform" or "a large building with many floors" in Malayalam.
Marathiटॉवर
The word "टॉवर" (tower) in Marathi is derived from the Sanskrit word "तूर" (to lift up), and can also refer to a pile or heap.
Nepaliटावर
The Nepali word 'टावर' also means 'a tall or slender structure supporting a flag or other ornament'.
Punjabiਬੁਰਜ
The Punjabi word "ਬੁਰਜ" ultimately derives from the Persian word "borj", which also means "tower".
Sinhala (Sinhalese)කුළුණ
In Sinhala, the word 'කුළුණ' not only means tower, but can also be used as a suffix for words denoting a tall, slender, or long structure.
Tamilகோபுரம்
The word "கோபுரம்" (gōpuram) also means 'gateway to heaven' in Tamil, reflecting its significance in Hindu temple architecture
Teluguటవర్
The word "టవర్" (tower) in Telugu is also used to refer to a large, stately house.
Urduٹاور
The word 'ٹاور' in Urdu is derived from the Portuguese word 'torre' and can also mean a 'lighthouse' or an 'elevated place'.

Tower in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)
塔 (tǎ) can also refer to a multi-storied building or a layered structure, such as a stack of coins or a pagoda.
Chinese (Traditional)
The Chinese character "塔" not only means "tower" but also can refer to "pagoda" or "stupa" in Buddhist architecture.
Japaneseタワー
The word "タワー" (tower) comes from the Portuguese word "torre", meaning "tower" or "fortress".
Korean
The word "탑" (tower) in Korean also means "the top" or "the highest point".
Mongolianцамхаг
The word "цамхаг" (tower) is derived from the Mongolian word "цам" (to stand) and the suffix "-хаг" (place), indicating a place where one stands.
Myanmar (Burmese)မျှော်စင်

Tower in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianmenara
In the Indonesian language, the word
Javanesemenara
The Javanese word "menara" originates from Sanskrit and originally meant "sacred structure".
Khmerប៉ម
The word "ប៉ម" is thought to derive from the Pali "pam" or Sanskrit "parama" meaning "supreme" or "highest".
Laoຫໍຄອຍ
In Thai, "หอคอย" also means "ivory" (งาช้าง), which comes from the historical use of ivory as a construction material for towers and palaces
Malaymenara
The word "menara" in Malay can also refer to a lighthouse, a minaret, or a tall building.
Thaiหอคอย
หอคอย is also used metaphorically to refer to a tall building or structure, such as a skyscraper or a castle.
Vietnamesetòa tháp
"Tòa tháp" may also refer to a chess rook or a pagoda.
Filipino (Tagalog)tore

Tower in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniqala
The term “qala” in Azerbaijani also refers to a fortified settlement with defensive structures.
Kazakhмұнара
The Kazakh word "мұнара" "(tower)" is derived from the Arabic word "منارة" meaning "lighthouse".
Kyrgyzмунара
The word «мунара» in Kyrgyz originally meant "minaret" and is derived from Persian and Arabic via Turkish.
Tajikманора
The Tajik word "манора" comes from the Persian word "مناره" (manare), which originally referred to a lighthouse or beacon.
Turkmendiň
Uzbekminora
The word "minora" in Uzbek additionally means "minaret" or "lighthouse".
Uyghurمۇنار

Tower in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianhale kiaʻi
In the Hawaiian language, "hale kiaʻi" also refers to a sentinel's shelter or guardhouse.
Maoripourewa
The word "pourewa" can also refer to a gathering place or a fortified village in Maori.
Samoan'olo
'Olo' can also refer to a prison building or a chief's house.
Tagalog (Filipino)tore
"Tore" is also the Filipino word for bull, and can be found in the names of some towns and cities, like Torrijos, Marinduque and Toril, Davao City.

Tower in American Indigenous Languages

Aymaratorre satawa
Guaranitorre rehegua

Tower in International Languages

Esperantoturo
The word "turo" (tower) comes from the Old English word "tor", which means "a high, isolated hill".
Latinturrim
Related to the Greek 'tyrsis', meaning 'tower' or 'fortress'

Tower in Others Languages

Greekπύργος
πύργος derives from Ancient Greek 'puergos', meaning 'turret', itself possibly related to 'pyr', 'fire' (as in 'pyro')
Hmongpej thuam
The word "pej thuam" is derived from the Proto-Hmong-Mien word *pʰəm-tʰom, meaning "high house".
Kurdishbirc
The word "birc" is also used in Turkish to mean "a fortress" or "a castle".
Turkishkule
The Turkish word "kule" ultimately derives from the Latin word "turris," and also refers to the conical caps worn by janissaries or dervishes.
Xhosainqaba
The word "inqaba" can also refer to a person who is tall and imposing in stature.
Yiddishטורעם
"טורעם" (tower) comes from Old Yiddish "tore", meaning fortification.
Zuluumbhoshongo
The Zulu word 'umbhoshongo' also refers to the 'crown of a tree'
Assameseটাৱাৰ
Aymaratorre satawa
Bhojpuriटावर के बा
Dhivehiޓަވަރެވެ
Dogriटावर
Filipino (Tagalog)tore
Guaranitorre rehegua
Ilocanotorre
Kriotawa
Kurdish (Sorani)تاوەر
Maithiliटावर
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯇꯋꯥꯔꯗꯥ ꯂꯩ꯫
Mizotower a ni
Oromomasaraa
Odia (Oriya)ଦୁର୍ଗ
Quechuatorre
Sanskritगोपुरम्
Tatarманара
Tigrinyaግምቢ
Tsongaxihondzo

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