Trick in Different Languages
Discover 'Trick' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.
Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'trick' is a small but powerful part of many languages, referring to a clever or cunning action or a skillful movement. It's a term that transcends cultural boundaries and has found its way into various phrases and idioms around the world.
Tricks have been a part of human culture for centuries, from the slight of hand of ancient street performers to the elaborate cons of modern-day movies and books. The significance of tricks lies in their ability to surprise, entertain, and sometimes even deceive. They can be playful or mischievous, but they always capture our attention.
Understanding the translation of 'trick' in different languages can open up new avenues of communication and cultural understanding. For example, in Spanish, 'trick' is 'truco', while in German, it's 'Trick'. In French, it's 'astuce', and in Japanese, it's 'トリック (torikku)'.
Learning these translations can not only enhance your language skills but also deepen your appreciation for the cultural significance of tricks in different societies. So, whether you're a language learner, a cultural enthusiast, or just someone curious about the world, exploring the translations of 'trick' is a fun and enlightening journey.
Trick
Trick in Sub-Saharan African Languages
| Afrikaans | truuk | ||
| In Afrikaans, "truuk" can also refer to a magic trick or a prank. | |||
| Amharic | ብልሃት | ||
| The Amharic word ብልሃት also means "wisdom" or "knowledge" in other contexts. | |||
| Hausa | abin zamba | ||
| In Hausa, "abin zamba" is a literal translation of "thing that's not straight," thus its figurative meaning of "trickery or deception." | |||
| Igbo | atọ | ||
| The word "atọ" also means "plan", "scheme", or "cunning". | |||
| Malagasy | fitaka | ||
| "Fitaka" may also refer to a dance performed by the Betsileo people of Madagascar. | |||
| Nyanja (Chichewa) | chinyengo | ||
| The word "chinyengo" in Nyanja also refers to a traditional dance performed by women. | |||
| Shona | tsenga | ||
| "Tsengau" is also a word for "playing" but is more commonly used to refer to playing a game of chance. | |||
| Somali | khiyaano | ||
| In addition to its meaning of 'trick,' 'khiyaano' can also mean 'deceit' or 'stratagem'. | |||
| Sesotho | qhekella | ||
| This word is used in a metaphorical sense to refer to a trick or deception, like when someone tries to pull a fast one on you. | |||
| Swahili | hila | ||
| "Hila" (trick) originates from the Arabic word "hīlah" (stratagem), which itself is derived from the root word "ḥayala" (cunning or craftiness). | |||
| Xhosa | iqhinga | ||
| The word "iqhinga" can also refer to a traditional Xhosa board game similar to checkers. | |||
| Yoruba | ẹtan | ||
| Ẹtan, beyond its primary meaning of 'trick' or 'deceit,' also refers to a type of game or puzzle. | |||
| Zulu | iqhinga | ||
| The word may also carry the nuance of "magic illusion" or "clever plan". | |||
| Bambara | ka lafili | ||
| Ewe | ayɛ | ||
| Kinyarwanda | amayeri | ||
| Lingala | likanisi | ||
| Luganda | olukwe | ||
| Sepedi | hlalefetša | ||
| Twi (Akan) | nnaadaa | ||
Trick in North African & Middle Eastern Languages
| Arabic | الخدعة | ||
| The word الخدعة (trick) in Arabic can also refer to a deception or a ruse. | |||
| Hebrew | טריק | ||
| The Hebrew "טריק" (trick) derives from the Yiddish טריק (trick), and means "a clever or dishonest act; a ruse;", and possibly also "a mischievous prank or joke"} | |||
| Pashto | چال | ||
| The word "چال" also means "key" or "secret" in Pashto. | |||
| Arabic | الخدعة | ||
| The word الخدعة (trick) in Arabic can also refer to a deception or a ruse. | |||
Trick in Western European Languages
| Albanian | mashtrim | ||
| The word "mashtrim" can also refer to a mischievous act or a practical joke. | |||
| Basque | trikimailu | ||
| The Basque word "trikimailu" is derived from the word "triki" meaning "wheel" and "mailu" meaning "to turn", hence its literal meaning is "turning the wheel." | |||
| Catalan | truc | ||
| In Catalan, "truc" also refers to a specific type of card game. | |||
| Croatian | trik | ||
| In Croatian, the word "trik" can also refer to a device or a knack, and is related to the word "trijati", meaning "to rub" or "to polish". | |||
| Danish | trick | ||
| In Danish, the word "trick" can also refer to a "trick of the eye" or an "optical illusion." | |||
| Dutch | truc | ||
| "Truc" in Dutch can also refer to a type of board used in construction or a kind of fabric. | |||
| English | trick | ||
| In the 15th century, "trick" also meant "a peculiar or amusing feature or habit" and was especially used of a horse's playful behavior. | |||
| French | tour | ||
| In French, the word "tour" can also refer to a tower or a turn in a game. | |||
| Frisian | trick | ||
| In Frisian, "trick" has additional meanings, including "a period of time" and "a prank or jest." | |||
| Galician | truco | ||
| In Galician, "truco" can also refer to a traditional card game with similar rules to "brisca". | |||
| German | trick | ||
| The German word "Trick" is derived from the French word "triche", which means "cheat". | |||
| Icelandic | bragð | ||
| In Icelandic folklore, the word "bragð" can also refer to a supernatural creature that uses illusion and trickery to deceive humans. | |||
| Irish | cleas | ||
| The word "cleas" shares the same etymology as the words "cúl" (back) and "cluais" (ear), implying a hidden or surreptitious nature. | |||
| Italian | trucco | ||
| The alternate meaning of the Italian word "trucco" is "make-up" or "face paint" | |||
| Luxembourgish | trick | ||
| In Luxembourgish, "Trick" can also refer to a mischievous or playful action or a clever device. | |||
| Maltese | trick | ||
| The word "trick" in Maltese does not have an alternate meaning. | |||
| Norwegian | triks | ||
| The Norwegian word "triks" can also refer to a device that traps animals, such as a mousetrap. | |||
| Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | truque | ||
| The word "truque" (trick) in Portuguese derives from the French "truquer" (to falsify), ultimately tracing back to the Latin "truncare" (to cut off). | |||
| Scots Gaelic | cleas | ||
| The Gaelic word "cleas" (trick) also translates to magic, and is a related cognate of "gleic" and "sleight" in English, meaning 'a skill achieved with ease'. | |||
| Spanish | truco | ||
| In Spanish, 'truco' derives from the Nahuatl word 'tlaxtli', meaning 'game of chance'. | |||
| Swedish | lura | ||
| The word "lura" in Swedish also means "to eavesdrop" or "to listen in". | |||
| Welsh | tric | ||
| The word 'tric' in Welsh, meaning 'trick' in English, derives from the Proto-Celtic *trikkos, also the root of the English word 'trick'. | |||
Trick in Eastern European Languages
| Belarusian | хітрасць | ||
| The Belarusian word "хітрасць" ("trick") is derived from the Proto-Slavic word "*хитръ", meaning "cunning" or "skillful". | |||
| Bosnian | trik | ||
| In Bosnian, "trik" can also refer to a path or route, particularly a narrow or hidden one. | |||
| Bulgarian | трик | ||
| The word "трик" ("trick" in English) derives from the Old Slavonic word "трикати" meaning "to run" or "to rub". In Bulgarian, "трик" can also refer to a "prank" or "a joke". | |||
| Czech | trik | ||
| Czech 'trik' comes from German 'Trick', possibly from Romance, or from Dutch 'drik' meaning 'pull' | |||
| Estonian | trikk | ||
| The word "trikk" in Estonian also refers to a small, nimble person or a child's prank. | |||
| Finnish | temppu | ||
| "Temppu" is derived from the Old Nordic word "tomp", meaning "play". It is related to the English word "tame". | |||
| Hungarian | trükk | ||
| In Hungarian, the word "trükk" can also mean "prank" or "joke". | |||
| Latvian | triks | ||
| The Latvian "triks" derives from the Middle Low German "drek," meaning filth or excrement. | |||
| Lithuanian | triukas | ||
| The word 'triukas' has a playful connotation, and can also refer to a mischievous prank or funny stunt. | |||
| Macedonian | трик | ||
| The word "трик" is borrowed from Turkic languages (e.g. Turkish "dırnak") and originally means "nail", but is mostly found in compounds with different prefixes relating to hair and beard care. | |||
| Polish | sztuczka | ||
| "Sztuczka" can also mean "a work of art" or "a toy" in Polish. | |||
| Romanian | truc | ||
| In Romanian, ""truc"" can also refer to a gadget or a whim: "a strange thing, a device, even an ingenious gadget". | |||
| Russian | уловка | ||
| "Уловка" (trick) is derived from the verb "уловить" (to capture), implying a cunning way to catch or deceive someone. | |||
| Serbian | трик | ||
| The Serbian word "трик" (trick) is derived from the German word "Trick" and also means "trick" in English. | |||
| Slovak | trik | ||
| The word "trik" in Slovak can also refer to a type of cloth. | |||
| Slovenian | trik | ||
| In Slovene folklore, "trik" can also refer to a mischievous gnome-like creature. | |||
| Ukrainian | фокус | ||
| The Ukrainian word "фокус" ultimately derives from the Middle High German word "fokus," meaning "hearth" or "fireplace," and has also been used to refer to a "conjuring trick" or "optical illusion" in Ukrainian since the 19th century. | |||
Trick in South Asian Languages
| Bengali | কৌতুক | ||
| Gujarati | યુક્તિ | ||
| In Sanskrit, the word "યુક્તિ" can also mean "method" or "strategy" | |||
| Hindi | छल | ||
| छल means a 'trick', but it is also the name of an evil demon in Hindu Mythology. | |||
| Kannada | ಟ್ರಿಕ್ | ||
| In Kannada, "ಟ್ರಿಕ್" can also refer to a clever or deceptive act or scheme. | |||
| Malayalam | തന്ത്രം | ||
| In Malayalam, the word "തന്ത്രം" can also refer to a ritualistic performance or a method in Ayurveda. | |||
| Marathi | युक्ती | ||
| The word युक्ती (yukti, "trick," "strategy") also means "connection," and "argument" in Sanskrit and is related to "yuj," a verb meaning "connect," "join," "yoking"} | |||
| Nepali | चाल | ||
| The Nepali "चाल" (trick) comes from Sanskrit चाल (cala), also meaning movement, gait, or behavior. | |||
| Punjabi | ਚਾਲ | ||
| In addition to its primary meaning of "trick," "ਚਾਲ" can also mean "manner," "way," or "method" in Punjabi. | |||
| Sinhala (Sinhalese) | උපක්රමය | ||
| The word "උපක්රමය" can also mean "method", "technique", "approach", "procedure", or "way" in Sinhala (Sinhalese), depending on the context. | |||
| Tamil | தந்திரம் | ||
| The word 'தந்திரம்' (thaanthiram) derives from Sanskrit 'tantra,' encompassing meanings of system, method, or ritual. | |||
| Telugu | ట్రిక్ | ||
| The word "ట్రిక్" can also mean "a clever or skillful act" in Telugu. | |||
| Urdu | چال | ||
| In Urdu, "چال" not only means "trick" but also has connotations of "deception" and "cunning tactics." | |||
Trick in East Asian Languages
| Chinese (Simplified) | 招 | ||
| The character "招" also means to invite or beckon. | |||
| Chinese (Traditional) | 招 | ||
| "招" can mean "move" or "gesture" in the context of martial arts. | |||
| Japanese | 騙す | ||
| 騙す (damasu) can also mean to cheat or deceive. | |||
| Korean | 장난 | ||
| The word, "장난" can mean not only "trick" but also "joke" or "play". | |||
| Mongolian | заль мэх | ||
| The word "зал мэх" in Mongolian is also used in the context of a performance, such as a magic trick or a joke, emphasizing the unexpected or surprising nature of the action. | |||
| Myanmar (Burmese) | လှည့်ကွက် | ||
Trick in South East Asian Languages
| Indonesian | menipu | ||
| The word "menipu" in Indonesian can also mean "to deceive" or "to mislead". | |||
| Javanese | trik | ||
| The Javanese word "trik" can also refer to a "strategy" or "scheme". | |||
| Khmer | ល្បិច | ||
| ល្បិច has additional meanings such as "a secret recipe" and "a magic formula". | |||
| Lao | ຫລອກລວງ | ||
| Malay | muslihat | ||
| The Malay word 'muslihat' also has the meaning of 'strategy' in its origin in Arabic. | |||
| Thai | เคล็ดลับ | ||
| The word "เคล็ดลับ" can also refer to a "secret" or a "technique". | |||
| Vietnamese | lừa | ||
| The word "lừa" also means "donkey" in Vietnamese. | |||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | panlilinlang | ||
Trick in Central Asian Languages
| Azerbaijani | hiylə | ||
| In Old Anatolian Turkish, the word "hiyle" also meant "device, scheme, measure, ruse, or stratagem". | |||
| Kazakh | қулық | ||
| The word "қулық" is also used to refer to a "scheme" or "plan" in Kazakh, with a slightly different connotation. | |||
| Kyrgyz | куулук | ||
| Куулук is a word in Kyrgyz that can also mean 'skill, ability, talent, cunningness, artfulness, deceit, fraud, ruse, stratagem, wile'. | |||
| Tajik | ҳилла | ||
| The word "ҳилла" is derived from the Arabic word "ḥīla" which means "stratagem, artifice, or trick". It can also refer to a "device, contrivance, or expedient". | |||
| Turkmen | hile | ||
| Uzbek | hiyla | ||
| In Uzbek, "hiyla" can also refer to a "stratagem" or a "ruse." | |||
| Uyghur | ھىيلە | ||
Trick in Pacific Languages
| Hawaiian | maʻalea | ||
| Maʻalea can also mean "wickedness" or "bad luck" | |||
| Maori | whakapati | ||
| In Māori, the word "whakapati" can also refer to a "deception," a "fraud," or a "lie." | |||
| Samoan | togafiti | ||
| The word "togafiti" can also refer to a "magical trick" or "illusion" in Samoan. | |||
| Tagalog (Filipino) | lansihin | ||
| "Lansihin'' is also used to describe a situation where someone is taken advantage of or deceived. | |||
Trick in American Indigenous Languages
| Aymara | truku | ||
| Guarani | truco | ||
Trick in International Languages
| Esperanto | truko | ||
| The word "truko" in Esperanto can also mean "device" or "gadget". | |||
| Latin | artificium | ||
| "Artificium" can mean not only 'trick', but also 'art, device, structure' and 'skill, ingenuity'. | |||
Trick in Others Languages
| Greek | τέχνασμα | ||
| "τέχνασμα" comes from the verb "τεχνάζω" (to contrive), itself derived from "τέχνη" (art, craft). | |||
| Hmong | ua kom yuam kev | ||
| This word also means "to have difficulty learning something in a class." | |||
| Kurdish | fen | ||
| The word "fen" in Kurdish also means "art" or "skill". | |||
| Turkish | hile | ||
| The word "hile" is derived from the Arabic word "hīlah" and also means "ruse". | |||
| Xhosa | iqhinga | ||
| The word "iqhinga" can also refer to a traditional Xhosa board game similar to checkers. | |||
| Yiddish | קונץ | ||
| The Yiddish word "קונץ" (trick) is rooted in the Old High German word "kunnen" (to know) and conveys an ability to manipulate knowledge to the advantage of the one who holds it. | |||
| Zulu | iqhinga | ||
| The word may also carry the nuance of "magic illusion" or "clever plan". | |||
| Assamese | কৌশল | ||
| Aymara | truku | ||
| Bhojpuri | चालाकी | ||
| Dhivehi | އޮޅުވާލުން | ||
| Dogri | जुगाड़ | ||
| Filipino (Tagalog) | panlilinlang | ||
| Guarani | truco | ||
| Ilocano | allilawen | ||
| Krio | kɔni kɔni | ||
| Kurdish (Sorani) | فێڵ | ||
| Maithili | तरकीब | ||
| Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯇꯥꯠ ꯇꯧꯕ | ||
| Mizo | bum | ||
| Oromo | gowwoomsaa | ||
| Odia (Oriya) | କୌଶଳ | ||
| Quechua | truco | ||
| Sanskrit | युक्ति | ||
| Tatar | хәйлә | ||
| Tigrinya | ምትላል | ||
| Tsonga | kanganyisa | ||