Tribe in Different Languages
Discover 'Tribe' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word tribe holds a significant place in our vocabulary, symbolizing a community, often sharing a common culture and language. Its cultural importance is undeniable, with many societies built upon the foundation of this social structure. Understanding the translation of tribe in different languages can open up a world of cultural discovery and appreciation.
Did you know that the word tribe has been used since the late 13th century, and is derived from the Old French tribu, meaning a group of people? Or that the Latin word tribus referred to the three tribes of ancient Rome? This historical context highlights the deep roots of the word in our language and culture.
So, why should you learn the translation of tribe in different languages? By doing so, you not only expand your cultural knowledge, but also show respect and understanding for the diverse communities that exist in our world today. Here are a few sample translations:
- German: Stamm
- Spanish: tribu
- French: tribu
- Mandarin: 部落 (bùluò)
- Japanese: 一族 (ichizoku)
Tribe
Tribe in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | stam | ||
| The Afrikaans "stam" (tribe) comes from the Dutch "stam" (stem, root), and also relates to the German "Stamm" (stem, race). | |||
| Amharic | ጎሳ | ||
| The word "ጎሳ" (tribe) in Amharic shares etymological roots with the Hebrew word "גוֹשֵן" (Goshen), and both may refer to a territorial division or region. | |||
| Hausa | kabila | ||
| The Hausa word "kabila" can also refer to a social group, clan or ethnic community. | |||
| Igbo | ebo | ||
| It can also refer to the people within that particular community, often used to address them. | |||
| Malagasy | firenena | ||
| The word 'firenena' can also refer to a group of people with a shared ancestor or a nation. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | fuko | ||
| Nyanja "fuko" can also mean "family" or "lineage" in some contexts. | |||
| Shona | dzinza | ||
| The word "dzinza" can also refer to a group of people who share a common ancestor or purpose. | |||
| Somali | qabiil | ||
| In addition to its primary meaning, "qabiil" can also refer to lineage or clan in the Somali context. | |||
| Sesotho | moloko | ||
| The word "moloko" in Sesotho also means "a group of people who share a common goal or purpose". | |||
| Swahili | kabila | ||
| The Swahili word "kabila" can also refer to a clan, lineage, or ethnic group. | |||
| Xhosa | isizwe | ||
| While a tribe is usually defined as a group of people with a common culture and language within a particular area, the Xhosa people use the term “isizwe” to refer to a group of people with a common ancestor or a group of people who consider themselves to be related. | |||
| Yoruba | ẹyà | ||
| The word “ẹyà” can also mean “family,” “clan,” or “lineage” in Yoruba. | |||
| Zulu | isizwe | ||
| The Zulu word 'isizwe' also means 'nation' or 'people', and is not specific to tribal identities. | |||
| Bambara | kabila | ||
| Ewe | to aɖe | ||
| Kinyarwanda | ubwoko | ||
| Lingala | libota ya bato | ||
| Luganda | ekika | ||
| Sepedi | morafe | ||
| Twi (Akan) | abusuakuw | ||
Tribe in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | قبيلة | ||
| The word "قبيلة" (tribe) in Arabic is also used to refer to a group of people related by blood or marriage, or by a common interest or purpose. | |||
| Hebrew | שֶׁבֶט | ||
| In the Bible, שֶבֶט often refers to a shepherd's staff, symbolising authority and guidance | |||
| Pashto | قبيله | ||
| In Pashto, "قبيله" can also refer to a "clan" or "lineage". | |||
| Arabic | قبيلة | ||
| The word "قبيلة" (tribe) in Arabic is also used to refer to a group of people related by blood or marriage, or by a common interest or purpose. | |||
Tribe in Western European Languages
| Albanian | fis | ||
| From Proto-Albanian, possibly from Illyrian or Thracian, cognate with Old Armenian *phīs, meaning "clan" or "family" | |||
| Basque | tribua | ||
| The Basque word "tribua" also means "family", "clan", or "lineage" | |||
| Catalan | tribu | ||
| The word "tribu" in Catalan means "tribe" and can also refer to a group of people with similar interests or a family line. | |||
| Croatian | pleme | ||
| The word "pleme" also denotes a kinship group based on patrilineal descent. | |||
| Danish | stamme | ||
| In Danish, "stamme" can also refer to a plant's stem or a word's root. | |||
| Dutch | stam | ||
| The word "stam" can also mean "family" or "descent" in Dutch. | |||
| English | tribe | ||
| The word "tribe" comes from the Latin "tribus," meaning "a third part." It was originally used to refer to one of the three voting divisions of the Roman people. | |||
| French | tribu | ||
| "Tribu" also means "group" in French; it doesn't only refer to indigenous communities. | |||
| Frisian | folksstam | ||
| The word "folksstam" in Frisian, derived from the Proto-Germanic "*fulki-stamma-m", also connotes a "troop of armed men" or a "band of pirates". | |||
| Galician | tribo | ||
| Galician "tribo" also means "group of people who have a common interest or purpose". | |||
| German | stamm | ||
| The word "Stamm" in German can also refer to a part of a plant, a group of people with a common ancestor, or a stem of a word. | |||
| Icelandic | ættbálkur | ||
| "Ættbálkur" can refer to both a tribe and a genealogy table in Icelandic. | |||
| Irish | treibh | ||
| Historically, “treibh” also meant kinship group, homestead, or territory. It is thought to derive from the Proto-Celtic **treb-** meaning “dwelling, village”. | |||
| Italian | tribù | ||
| The word "tribù" originates from the Latin "tribus," meaning "one of the three ancient divisions of the Roman people." | |||
| Luxembourgish | stamm | ||
| While the standard spelling is "Stamm", it can also be spelled "Stamm" without the umlaut. | |||
| Maltese | tribù | ||
| 'Tribù' is a loanword from Italian with the original meaning of 'district' or 'tax jurisdiction'. | |||
| Norwegian | stamme | ||
| Stamme also means family lineage or family tree, and possibly derives from old Norse stami, akin to Old English stefn, the stem or trunk of a tree. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | tribo | ||
| In Portuguese, "tribo" can also refer to a group of people who share a common profession, interest, or lifestyle. | |||
| Scots Gaelic | treubh | ||
| The Scots Gaelic word "treubh" can also mean "family" or "relatives". | |||
| Spanish | tribu | ||
| The word "tribu" (tribe) derives from the Latin "tribus," denoting a "third," initially referring to one of the three original Roman tribes. | |||
| Swedish | stam | ||
| In Swedish, 'stam' can also refer to a 'stem', 'root', or 'stock', reflecting its shared Proto-Germanic root with the English word 'stem'. | |||
| Welsh | llwyth | ||
| Llwyth is derived from the Proto-Celtic word *pleut-, meaning "people" or "community". It cognate with the Irish "sliocht" and the Breton "llad". | |||
Tribe in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | племя | ||
| The Belarusian word "племя" can also refer to "family", "lineage", or "kin." | |||
| Bosnian | pleme | ||
| The word "pleme" in Bosnian is of Turkish origin and means both "tribe" and "species". | |||
| Bulgarian | племе | ||
| The word "племе" can also refer to a social class or community sharing common interests or ancestry. | |||
| Czech | kmen | ||
| Kmen is a loanword from German "Stamm" (tribe), "Stamm" is cognate with "stem" in English, "stam" in Dutch and "stamme" in Swedish, all meaning "stem" or "trunk", i.e. the root of a tree. | |||
| Estonian | hõim | ||
| The word "hõim" also denotes a "race" or a "people" sharing a common ancestry or culture. | |||
| Finnish | heimo | ||
| "Heimo" is also used as a general address to people with whom a person relates or identifies | |||
| Hungarian | törzs | ||
| Törzs, in addition to its meaning of "tribe," also refers to a "trunk" in Hungarian, highlighting the connection between the community and its physical and ancestral roots. | |||
| Latvian | cilts | ||
| Cīlis can also refer to the ancient inhabitants of Latvia, as well as to the territory they occupied. | |||
| Lithuanian | gentis | ||
| "Gentis" in Lithuanian also means "pagan" or "heathen." | |||
| Macedonian | племе | ||
| The word "племе" can also mean "origin" or "lineage" in Macedonian. | |||
| Polish | plemię | ||
| The word "plemię" in Polish is cognate with the word "pleme" in Croatian, meaning "family" or "clan". | |||
| Romanian | trib | ||
| In Romanian, "trib" has the alternate meaning of "misfortune" or "distress." | |||
| Russian | племя | ||
| The word "племя" also means "family" or "kindred" in Russian. | |||
| Serbian | племе | ||
| Word "pleme" in Serbian, besides its main meaning of "tribe", has additional meanings such as "family" or "generation". | |||
| Slovak | kmeň | ||
| "The word "kmeň" comes from the Proto-Slavic "*kormъ" ("root of a tree, stump") and originally meant "clan" or "family unit." | |||
| Slovenian | pleme | ||
| Besides 'tribe', the word 'pleme' also means 'breed' and is an archaic term for 'noble family'. | |||
| Ukrainian | племені | ||
| "Племені" comes from Proto-Slavic "plěme," which also means "family, kin," and is related to "pleniti," "to breed, reproduce." | |||
Tribe in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | উপজাতি | ||
| উপজাতি is derived from the Sanskrit word "jñāti", meaning "kinship group". | |||
| Gujarati | આદિજાતિ | ||
| The word "આદિજાતિ" is also used to refer to indigenous peoples in India. | |||
| Hindi | जनजाति | ||
| The Sanskrit word "जनजाति" literally means "people of the same lineage." | |||
| Kannada | ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು | ||
| The Kannada word "ಬುಡಕಟ್ಟು" (tribe) is derived from the Sanskrit word "वृकट" (wild, fierce), indicating the traditional perception of tribes as being uncivilized and primitive. | |||
| Malayalam | ഗോത്രം | ||
| The word "ഗോത്രം" ultimately derives from Sanskrit "गोत्र" meaning a group of people descended from a single Vedic sage. | |||
| Marathi | टोळी | ||
| The Marathi word "टोळी" also refers to a group, gang, or band. | |||
| Nepali | जनजाति | ||
| "जनजाति" literally translates to "community of people" and also serves as the Nepali counterpart to "caste" with the prefix denoting people inhabiting a particular region. | |||
| Punjabi | ਗੋਤ | ||
| The word 'got' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'gotra', which means 'lineage' or 'clan'. It is also used to refer to a group of people who share a common ancestor or deity. | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | ගෝත්රය | ||
| The Sinhalese word "ගෝත්රය" (tribe) is derived from the Sanskrit word "गोत्र" (lineage, clan) and also refers to a Buddhist temple or monastery in Sinhalese culture. | |||
| Tamil | பழங்குடி | ||
| The word 'பழங்குடி' (paḻaṅkuṭi) in Tamil derives from the root word 'பழம்' (paḻam), meaning 'old', and refers to people who have preserved their ancient way of life. | |||
| Telugu | తెగ | ||
| The word తెగ "tega" also means "stringed instrument" in Sanskrit or "to cut off" | |||
| Urdu | قبیلہ | ||
| In Arabic, the word 'قبیلہ' (tribe) refers to a group of people with a common ancestor, while in Urdu, it is also used to mean a clan, community, or social group. | |||
Tribe in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 部落 | ||
| In Chinese, 部落 also refers to a village or town outside a city. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 部落 | ||
| 部落 (bùluò) is a Chinese word that can also mean 'village' or 'hamlet'. | |||
| Japanese | 部族 | ||
| The word "部族" (bu-zoku) in Japanese can also refer to a clan, lineage, or faction. | |||
| Korean | 부족 | ||
| 부족 (tribe) has alternative meanings like 'lack', 'insufficiency', 'shortage', or 'deficiency'. | |||
| Mongolian | овог | ||
| The term "ovog" is also used to classify animals based on their shared physical traits or behavioral characteristics. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | အနွယ် | ||
Tribe in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | suku | ||
| The word "suku" has additional meanings such as "joint", "group", and "part". | |||
| Javanese | suku | ||
| Suku also refers to the four main traditional Javanese caste groups, which are Brahmana, Satria, Wesya, and Sudra. | |||
| Khmer | កុលសម្ព័ន្ធ | ||
| Lao | ຊົນເຜົ່າ | ||
| The word "ຊົນເຜົ່າ" (tribe) in Lao can also refer to a group of people who share a common ancestry or culture. | |||
| Malay | suku | ||
| The word "suku" in Malay can also mean "family group" or "lineage". | |||
| Thai | ชนเผ่า | ||
| The word "ชนเผ่า" in Thai can also refer to ethnic groups or indigenous communities. | |||
| Vietnamese | bộ lạc | ||
| The Vietnamese word "bộ lạc" also refers to a community of people with similar interests or backgrounds. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | tribo | ||
Tribe in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | qəbilə | ||
| The word "qəbilə" is also used in Azerbaijani to refer to a group of people who have similar interests, such as a political party or a sports team. | |||
| Kazakh | тайпа | ||
| The word "тайпа" (tribe) in Kazakh has an alternate meaning: "a group of people connected by blood ties or a common ancestor." | |||
| Kyrgyz | уруу | ||
| The term "уруу" originates from the Proto-Turkic word "urugh" meaning "seed, offspring, descendants". | |||
| Tajik | қабила | ||
| The word "қабила" (tribe) in Tajik is derived from the Arabic word "qabīla", which can also mean "clan" or "community". | |||
| Turkmen | taýpa | ||
| Uzbek | qabila | ||
| The word "qabila" in Uzbek has alternate meanings of "clan" and "ancestry." | |||
| Uyghur | قەبىلە | ||
Tribe in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | lāhui | ||
| In old Hawaiian culture, 'lāhui' also meant 'community' and referred to the group a person worked with in building fishponds or constructing heiau. | |||
| Maori | iwi | ||
| The word "iwi" in Maori can also refer to a bone in the spine, a type of knot, or a specific species of tree. | |||
| Samoan | ituaiga | ||
| The word "ituaiga" in Samoan can also refer to a clan or family group, extending beyond the immediate family members. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | tribo | ||
| The Tagalog word "tribo" can also mean "clan" or "family group." | |||
Tribe in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | tribu ukat juk’ampinaka | ||
| Guarani | tribu rehegua | ||
Tribe in International Languages
| Esperanto | tribo | ||
| The word “tribo” also means “surface” in Esperanto, as it is derived from the Greek word “tribein,” which means “to rub”. | |||
| Latin | tribus | ||
| The Latin word "tribus" can also refer to a third part or division, or to a group of three. | |||
Tribe in Others Languages
| Greek | φυλή | ||
| The Greek word "φυλή" (phyle) originally referred to a kinship group, but later came to mean "tribe" and, by extension, "race" or "ethnic group." | |||
| Hmong | pawg neeg | ||
| The word "pawg neeg" has a more literal translation as "clan". The word "clan" refers specifically to a group or lineage descended from a single common ancestor, and is often used to refer to a group with a shared lineage.} | |||
| Kurdish | reh | ||
| The word "reh" can also refer to a group of animals or plants that share a common ancestor. | |||
| Turkish | kabile | ||
| In Ottoman Turkish, "kabile" also referred to a division of a sanjak (district) for administrative purposes. | |||
| Xhosa | isizwe | ||
| While a tribe is usually defined as a group of people with a common culture and language within a particular area, the Xhosa people use the term “isizwe” to refer to a group of people with a common ancestor or a group of people who consider themselves to be related. | |||
| Yiddish | שבט | ||
| In Yiddish, "שבט" (shevet) has an alternate meaning of "stick" or "rod," reflecting its usage in the biblical account of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, each carrying a staff representing their tribe. | |||
| Zulu | isizwe | ||
| The Zulu word 'isizwe' also means 'nation' or 'people', and is not specific to tribal identities. | |||
| Assamese | জনগোষ্ঠী | ||
| Aymara | tribu ukat juk’ampinaka | ||
| Bhojpuri | जनजाति के बा | ||
| Dhivehi | ޤަބީލާއެވެ | ||
| Dogri | कबीले दा | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | tribo | ||
| Guarani | tribu rehegua | ||
| Ilocano | tribu | ||
| Krio | trayb | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | هۆز | ||
| Maithili | जनजाति | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯇ꯭ꯔꯥꯏꯕ ꯑꯁꯤꯅꯤ꯫ | ||
| Mizo | hnam | ||
| Oromo | gosa | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | ଜନଜାତି | ||
| Quechua | ayllu | ||
| Sanskrit | जनजातिः | ||
| Tatar | кабилә | ||
| Tigrinya | ቀቢላ | ||
| Tsonga | rixaka | ||