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
| Afrikaans | toring | ||
| The Afrikaans word "toring" is derived from the Dutch word "toren", which also means "tower". | |||
| Amharic | ማማ | ||
| The word 'ማማ' (Mama) in Amharic is of Cushitic origin and is etymologically related to the Somali word 'muumo' (hill). | |||
| Hausa | hasumiya | ||
| In Katsina Hausa, hasumiya also means "the most senior sister of a group of siblings." | |||
| Igbo | ụlọ elu | ||
| The word "ụlọ elu" in Igbo is a compound noun meaning "building of height". | |||
| Malagasy | tilikambo | ||
| 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. | |||
| Shona | shongwe | ||
| The name is etymologically linked to the word <cite>kungu</cite>, an archaic root for mountains. | |||
| Somali | munaaraddii | ||
| The word "munaaraddii" in Somali, which means "tower" or "lighthouse," is derived from the Arabic word "munara" with the same meaning. | |||
| Sesotho | tora | ||
| Sesotho "tora" derives from Bantu "tolo" (three), referring to a three-sided building or tower. | |||
| Swahili | mnara | ||
| "Mnara" is also used in Swahili to refer to a lighthouse or beacon. | |||
| Xhosa | inqaba | ||
| The word "inqaba" can also refer to a person who is tall and imposing in stature. | |||
| Yoruba | ile-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. | |||
| Zulu | umbhoshongo | ||
| The Zulu word 'umbhoshongo' also refers to the 'crown of a tree' | |||
| Bambara | sankanso belebeleba | ||
| Ewe | xɔ kɔkɔ aɖe | ||
| Kinyarwanda | umunara | ||
| Lingala | linɔ́ngi ya molai | ||
| Luganda | omunaala | ||
| Sepedi | tora ya tora | ||
| Twi (Akan) | abantenten a ɛwɔ soro | ||
Tower in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | برج | ||
| The word "برج" in Arabic also means "a sign of the zodiac" or "a constellation". | |||
| Hebrew | מִגדָל | ||
| "מִגדָל" can also mean a stack of something, e.g. a stack of money or a stack of dishes. | |||
| Pashto | برج | ||
| 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. | |||
| Arabic | برج | ||
| The word "برج" in Arabic also means "a sign of the zodiac" or "a constellation". | |||
Tower in Western European Languages
| Albanian | kulla | ||
| The word "kulla" in Albanian derives from the Latin "curia" and also means "council" or "city hall". | |||
| Basque | dorrea | ||
| 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". | |||
| Catalan | torre | ||
| 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. | |||
| Croatian | toranj | ||
| The word "toranj" in Croatian is derived from the Persian word "tornag" meaning "arch" or "vault". | |||
| Danish | tårn | ||
| Old Norse ‘tǫrn’ means ‘projecting peak, pinnacle’ which is related to ‘tindr’ meaning ‘mountain peak’. | |||
| Dutch | toren | ||
| "Toren" in Dutch can also refer to a spire or a steeple, and is derived from the Latin "turris", meaning "tower." | |||
| English | tower | ||
| The word 'tower' can also refer to a tall, narrow structure built for defense or observation, such as a watchtower or castle keep. | |||
| French | la tour | ||
| French "la tour" meant "the bull" in Old French, and was used as a metaphor for tall, strong buildings | |||
| Frisian | toer | ||
| In Frisian, "toer" can also refer to a steeple or a lighthouse. | |||
| Galician | torre | ||
| In Galician, "torre" can also refer to a rocky hill or a heap of stones. | |||
| German | turm | ||
| The German word “Turm” is related to the English word “term”, both stemming from the Latin “terminus” meaning “end” or “boundary” | |||
| Icelandic | turninn | ||
| In Icelandic, "turninn" (tower) is also used figuratively to refer to an elevated place or a prominent figure. | |||
| Irish | túr | ||
| The Irish word "túr" can also refer to a defensive structure with a circular base. | |||
| Italian | torre | ||
| The word "Torre" also denotes a "torrone", a typical Italian nougat. | |||
| Luxembourgish | tuerm | ||
| The word 'Tuerm' also means 'fort' or 'castle', and is derived from the Latin word 'turris', meaning 'tower' or 'fortified structure'. | |||
| Maltese | torri | ||
| 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. | |||
| Norwegian | tårn | ||
| 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 Gaelic | tùr | ||
| The word "tùr" can also refer to a hill or mound, or a large rock or boulder. | |||
| Spanish | torre | ||
| In addition to "tower", "torre" can also refer to a castle stronghold or a bullfighting arena in Spanish. | |||
| Swedish | torn | ||
| The word "torn" in Swedish also means "thorn" or "prickle". | |||
| Welsh | twr | ||
| The Welsh word "twr" can also refer to a tumulus or burial mound. | |||
Tower in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | вежа | ||
| In the past, вежа could also refer to an observation point, a fortification, or a residential building with multiple storeys. | |||
| Bosnian | toranj | ||
| "Toranj" (tower) in Bosnian also means "turban" in Iranian origin. | |||
| Bulgarian | кула | ||
| "Кула" means "tower" in Bulgarian, but also "prison" in Turkish, "watchtower" in Romanian, and "ball" in Hindi. | |||
| Czech | věž | ||
| The word "věž" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *vežь, meaning "height" or "fortification." | |||
| Estonian | torn | ||
| In Estonian, the word "torn" also means a small tower for drying crops. | |||
| Finnish | torni | ||
| 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". | |||
| Hungarian | torony | ||
| Derived from the Slavic word "torn" meaning fortification, "torony" also refers to a rook in chess. | |||
| Latvian | tornis | ||
| 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. | |||
| Lithuanian | bokštas | ||
| In Lithuanian, "bokštas" can also refer to a building with multiple floors, a fortress, or a person who is tall and strong. | |||
| Macedonian | кула | ||
| The word "кула" can also mean "watchtower" or "dungeon" in Macedonian. | |||
| Polish | wieża | ||
| "Wieża" derives from "widz", meaning "lookout", as towers were originally used as vantage points to survey the surroundings. | |||
| Romanian | turn | ||
| The Romanian word "turn" shares its etymology with the English word "tower", both deriving ultimately from the Latin word "turris". | |||
| Russian | башня | ||
| In Russian, the word "башня" can also refer to a type of hairstyle worn by women. | |||
| Serbian | кула | ||
| The word "кула" in Serbian, meaning "tower," may also refer to a fortified settlement or a small castle. | |||
| Slovak | veža | ||
| The word "veža" also means "prison" in Slovak, derived from the German word "Gefängnis" through the Hungarian "vezér". | |||
| Slovenian | stolp | ||
| In the past, 'stolp' could refer to a prison or a wooden pole on which criminals were executed. | |||
| Ukrainian | вежа | ||
| The word "вежа" can also mean "a tall, slender tree" in Ukrainian. | |||
Tower in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | টাওয়ার | ||
| The Bengali word "টাওয়ার" (tower) is borrowed from the English word "tower". | |||
| Gujarati | ટાવર | ||
| 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. | |||
| Hindi | मीनार | ||
| The word 'मीनार' ('tower') is also a synonym for the lighthouse (a building with a lamp at the top to guide ships at night). | |||
| Kannada | ಗೋಪುರ | ||
| The word "ಗೋಪುರ" (tower) in Kannada is derived from the Sanskrit word "gopura" which means "city gate". | |||
| Malayalam | ടവർ | ||
| The word "ടവർ" can also mean "a raised platform" or "a large building with many floors" in Malayalam. | |||
| Marathi | टॉवर | ||
| 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. | |||
| Nepali | टावर | ||
| The Nepali word 'टावर' also means 'a tall or slender structure supporting a flag or other ornament'. | |||
| Punjabi | ਬੁਰਜ | ||
| 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. | |||
| Tamil | கோபுரம் | ||
| The word "கோபுரம்" (gōpuram) also means 'gateway to heaven' in Tamil, reflecting its significance in Hindu temple architecture | |||
| Telugu | టవర్ | ||
| The word "టవర్" (tower) in Telugu is also used to refer to a large, stately house. | |||
| Urdu | ٹاور | ||
| 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 | ||
| 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) | 塔 | ||
| 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 | 탑 | ||
| The word "탑" (tower) in Korean also means "the top" or "the highest point". | |||
| Mongolian | цамхаг | ||
| 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
| Indonesian | menara | ||
| In the Indonesian language, the word | |||
| Javanese | menara | ||
| The Javanese word "menara" originates from Sanskrit and originally meant "sacred structure". | |||
| Khmer | ប៉ម | ||
| The word "ប៉ម" is thought to derive from the Pali "pam" or Sanskrit "parama" meaning "supreme" or "highest". | |||
| Lao | ຫໍຄອຍ | ||
| In Thai, "หอคอย" also means "ivory" (งาช้าง), which comes from the historical use of ivory as a construction material for towers and palaces | |||
| Malay | menara | ||
| The word "menara" in Malay can also refer to a lighthouse, a minaret, or a tall building. | |||
| Thai | หอคอย | ||
| หอคอย is also used metaphorically to refer to a tall building or structure, such as a skyscraper or a castle. | |||
| Vietnamese | tòa tháp | ||
| "Tòa tháp" may also refer to a chess rook or a pagoda. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | tore | ||
Tower in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | qala | ||
| The term “qala” in Azerbaijani also refers to a fortified settlement with defensive structures. | |||
| Kazakh | мұнара | ||
| The Kazakh word "мұнара" "(tower)" is derived from the Arabic word "منارة" meaning "lighthouse". | |||
| Kyrgyz | мунара | ||
| The word «мунара» in Kyrgyz originally meant "minaret" and is derived from Persian and Arabic via Turkish. | |||
| Tajik | манора | ||
| The Tajik word "манора" comes from the Persian word "مناره" (manare), which originally referred to a lighthouse or beacon. | |||
| Turkmen | diň | ||
| Uzbek | minora | ||
| The word "minora" in Uzbek additionally means "minaret" or "lighthouse". | |||
| Uyghur | مۇنار | ||
Tower in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | hale kiaʻi | ||
| In the Hawaiian language, "hale kiaʻi" also refers to a sentinel's shelter or guardhouse. | |||
| Maori | pourewa | ||
| 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
| Aymara | torre satawa | ||
| Guarani | torre rehegua | ||
Tower in International Languages
| Esperanto | turo | ||
| The word "turo" (tower) comes from the Old English word "tor", which means "a high, isolated hill". | |||
| Latin | turrim | ||
| Related to the Greek 'tyrsis', meaning 'tower' or 'fortress' | |||
Tower in Others Languages
| Greek | πύργος | ||
| πύργος derives from Ancient Greek 'puergos', meaning 'turret', itself possibly related to 'pyr', 'fire' (as in 'pyro') | |||
| Hmong | pej thuam | ||
| The word "pej thuam" is derived from the Proto-Hmong-Mien word *pʰəm-tʰom, meaning "high house". | |||
| Kurdish | birc | ||
| The word "birc" is also used in Turkish to mean "a fortress" or "a castle". | |||
| Turkish | kule | ||
| The Turkish word "kule" ultimately derives from the Latin word "turris," and also refers to the conical caps worn by janissaries or dervishes. | |||
| Xhosa | inqaba | ||
| The word "inqaba" can also refer to a person who is tall and imposing in stature. | |||
| Yiddish | טורעם | ||
| "טורעם" (tower) comes from Old Yiddish "tore", meaning fortification. | |||
| Zulu | umbhoshongo | ||
| The Zulu word 'umbhoshongo' also refers to the 'crown of a tree' | |||
| Assamese | টাৱাৰ | ||
| Aymara | torre satawa | ||
| Bhojpuri | टावर के बा | ||
| Dhivehi | ޓަވަރެވެ | ||
| Dogri | टावर | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | tore | ||
| Guarani | torre rehegua | ||
| Ilocano | torre | ||
| Krio | tawa | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | تاوەر | ||
| Maithili | टावर | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯇꯋꯥꯔꯗꯥ ꯂꯩ꯫ | ||
| Mizo | tower a ni | ||
| Oromo | masaraa | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ଦୁର୍ଗ | ||
| Quechua | torre | ||
| Sanskrit | गोपुरम् | ||
| Tatar | манара | ||
| Tigrinya | ግምቢ | ||
| Tsonga | xihondzo | ||