Universal in different languages

Universal in Different Languages

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

Updated on March 5, 2024

The word 'universal', derived from the Latin 'universalis', carries a significant meaning that transcends cultural and linguistic boundaries. It refers to something that applies to or is true for all people, places, or situations. This concept has been crucial in various fields, including science, philosophy, and art, as it promotes the idea of shared human experiences and truths.

Throughout history, universal ideas have been a source of inspiration and unity. From the ancient Greek philosophy of universal truths to the modern United Nations' promotion of universal human rights, this concept has remained a constant force in shaping our world. Moreover, the notion of universality is also reflected in language, as many languages have their own translation of the term 'universal.'

Understanding the translation of 'universal' in different languages can provide valuable insights into how other cultures perceive and value shared ideas and experiences. Here are a few examples:

Universal


Universal in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansuniverseel
The word "universeel" in Afrikaans is the Afrikaans equivalent of the English word "universal" and has no other meanings.
Amharicሁለንተናዊ
"ሁለንተናዊ" (universal) comes from "ሁለት" (two) and "አንተ" (you); the second word represents all humans regardless of gender.
Hausaduniya
In Hausa, "duniya" also refers to the "world" or the "earth."
Igboeluigwe na ala
"Eluigwe na ala" in Igbo literally means "heaven and earth" or "the world."
Malagasyrehetra izao
Nyanja (Chichewa)chilengedwe chonse
The word "chilengedwe chonse" in Nyanja can also refer to a general understanding or agreement among people.
Shonazvakasikwa
"Zvakasikwa" also signifies "that which can't be recreated".
Somalicaalami ah
The word "caalami ah" can also mean "global" or "worldwide" in Somali.
Sesothobokahohle
The word "bokahohle" is derived from the word "bokaha", meaning "all" or "everything". The suffix "-hle" has a distributive function, which gives the word the meaning of "universal" or "all-encompassing".
Swahilizima
Zima can also mean 'complete' or 'thorough' in Swahili, emphasizing the idea of all-inclusiveness.
Xhosakwindalo iphela
The compound word "kwindalo iphela" literally translates to "in the place of the head", suggesting a position of centrality or comprehensiveness.
Yorubagbogbo agbaye
Zuluindawo yonke
Indawo yonke comes from the word indawo, meaning 'place', and yonke, meaning 'all', suggesting a place that encompasses all other places.
Bambaradiɲɛ bɛɛ ta fan fɛ
Ewexexeame katã tɔ
Kinyarwandakwisi yose
Lingalaya mokili mobimba
Lugandaeby’obutonde bwonna
Sepedibokahohleng
Twi (Akan)amansan nyinaa de

Universal in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicعالمي
The word "عالمي" in Arabic can also refer to anything related to the world or the universe, such as "worldliness" or "cosmology."
Hebrewאוניברסלי
"אוניברסלי" is derived from the Latin "universalis," which means "of or relating to the whole world."
Pashtoنړیوال
The word "نړیوال" can also mean "global" or "international".
Arabicعالمي
The word "عالمي" in Arabic can also refer to anything related to the world or the universe, such as "worldliness" or "cosmology."

Universal in Western European Languages

Albanianuniversale
In Albanian,
Basqueunibertsala
The etymology of the Basque word "unibertsala" derives from Latin "universus", meaning "entire or whole," and "sala" meaning "hall or room."
Catalanuniversal
The Catalan word 'universal' derives from the Latin 'universus', meaning both 'universal' and 'whole'.
Croatianuniverzalni
The Croatian word 'univerzalni' is derived from the Latin word 'universalis', meaning 'of or pertaining to the universe.'
Danishuniversel
In Danish, "universel" can also refer to a tool used to open and close the bolt of a rifle.
Dutchuniverseel
In Dutch, "universeel" can also refer to a tool used in carpentry and construction.
Englishuniversal
"Universal" derives from Latin "universus" meaning "all, whole," but it can also refer to the concept of a common nature that underlies all phenomena.
Frenchuniversel
The word "universel" in French comes from the Latin word "universalis", which means "of or relating to the whole universe". It can also mean "general" or "applicable to all cases".
Frisianuniverseel
The word "universeel" in Frisian can also mean "common" or "general".
Galicianuniversal
Germanuniversal-
In German, "Universal" can also refer to a "joint" or "universal joint" in mechanical contexts, e.g. "Universalgelenk".
Icelandicalhliða
In Old Norse, "alhliða" meant "on all sides".
Irishuilíoch
The Irish word "uilíoch" originates from the Latin word "universalis", and can also mean "all-inclusive", "comprehensive", or "broad."}
Italianuniversale
The Italian word "universale" derives from the Latin word "universalis", which means "pertaining to all or many". Thus, the word has the alternate meaning of "general" or "all-encompassing".
Luxembourgishuniversell
Malteseuniversali
The word "universali" in Maltese is derived from the Latin word "universalis," which means "pertaining to the whole" or "of the whole universe."
Norwegianuniversell
The word "universell" in Norwegian can also refer to something that applies worldwide, i.e., international.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)universal
The Portuguese word "universal" (universal) originated from the Latin word "universus," meaning "entire" or "of all."
Scots Gaelicuile-choitcheann
Spanishuniversal
The word "universal" comes from the Latin word "universus" which means "whole" or "entire".
Swedishuniversell
"Universell" also means "versatile" or "multipurpose" in Swedish.
Welshcyffredinol
The word "cyffredinol" is a compound of the words "cyffred" (total, complete) and "inol" (the suffix indicating a general notion or state).

Universal in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianуніверсальны
The word "універсальны" can also mean "common" or "catholic" in Belarusian.
Bosnianuniverzalni
The word 'univerzalni' is derived from the Latin word 'universalis', meaning 'general, applying to all'. It can also mean 'ecumenical, worldwide', referring to the universal church or the universal Christian community.
Bulgarianуниверсален
The word "универсален" also means "versatile" and comes from the Latin "universalis" meaning "of or relating to the whole world".
Czechuniverzální
The word "univerzální" is derived from Latin "universus", meaning "the whole world" or "all of creation."
Estonianuniversaalne
In Estonian, the word "universaalne" can take on meanings both related to its Latin origins and more nuanced ones in the colloquial realm.
Finnishuniversaali
"Universaali" has multiple meanings, such as "encyclopedia" and "universal joint".
Hungarianegyetemes
Egyetemes was originally used to denote the Catholic Church, which saw itself as the representative of all mankind.
Latvianuniversāls
While universāls is typically translated as "universal," it can also mean "wagon" in Latvian.
Lithuanianuniversalus
The word "Universalus" in Lithuanian is derived from the Latin "universalis", meaning "pertaining to all", and is also used to refer to a "universal set" in mathematics.
Macedonianуниверзален
The word "универзален" comes from the French word "universel", which in turn comes from the Latin word "universalis", meaning "general" or "all-encompassing".
Polishuniwersalny
The word "uniwersalny" comes from the Latin word "universalis", meaning "of or relating to the whole world or universe".
Romanianuniversal
The word "universal" derives from the Latin word "unus", meaning "one", and "versus", meaning "turned toward". In Romanian, "universal" can mean "general" or "comprehensive".
Russianуниверсальный
The word "универсальный" comes from the Latin "universalis", meaning "belonging to all" or "pertaining to the whole."
Serbianуниверзалан
The word 'универзалан' is derived from the Latin word 'universalis', which means 'of or belonging to the whole universe'.
Slovakuniverzálny
The word "univerzálny" comes from the Latin word "universalis", which means "of or pertaining to the whole universe".
Slovenianuniverzalni
The word "univerzalni" is derived from the Latin word "universalis", meaning "of or pertaining to the whole".
Ukrainianуніверсальний
The word "універсальний" comes from the Latin word "universalis", which means "general" or "all-encompassing".

Universal in South Asian Languages

Bengaliসর্বজনীন
The word comes from Sanskrit and refers to a belief or opinion that exists in all societies.
Gujaratiસાર્વત્રિક
Hindiयूनिवर्सल
The word 'यूनिवर्सल' is derived from the Latin word 'universus', which means 'of or pertaining to the whole' or 'the entire'
Kannadaಸಾರ್ವತ್ರಿಕ
ಸಾರ್ವತ್ರಿಕ (sārvathrika) has a deeper meaning than 'universal'. It encompasses all worlds, dimensions, and states of existence.
Malayalamസാർവത്രികം
"സാർവത്രികം" comes from Sanskrit "sarva", meaning "all" and "loka", meaning "world" or "place". It also means "common to all" or "applying to all".
Marathiसार्वत्रिक
"सार्वत्रिक" (universal) also means "always"
Nepaliविश्वव्यापी
The word "विश्वव्यापी" also means "comprehensive" or "all-encompassing" in Nepali.
Punjabiਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਲ
The word 'ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਲ' ('universal') originally meant 'of or belonging to the whole universe' and is derived from the Latin word 'universus', which means 'all' or 'the whole'.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)විශ්වීය
"විශ්වීය" is derived from the Sanskrit word "विश्व" meaning "universe" or "world" and is ultimately derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*wes-" meaning "to dwell".
Tamilஉலகளாவிய
Teluguసార్వత్రిక
Urduعالمگیر
عالمگیر derives from the Arabic word "alam", meaning "world", and "geer", which has roots in Sanskrit meaning "to go around" or "to envelop."

Universal in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)普遍
“普遍”源自日本“普ね”与“徧ね”,在日语中意为“广泛”或“全体”
Chinese (Traditional)普遍
In philosophy, the concept of "普遍" refers to the idea of a reality that exists independent of our minds, constituting the true nature of the universe.
Japaneseユニバーサル
The word ユニバーサル (universal) can also refer to a screw with a uniform thread pitch throughout its length.
Korean만능인
The word "만능인" is also used colloquially in Korea to describe a person with many skills and talents.
Mongolianнийтийн
The wordнийтийн is also used to denote the sum total of all things in the universe.
Myanmar (Burmese)တစ်လောကလုံး

Universal in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianuniversal
The Indonesian word "universal" can also mean "overall" or "general."
Javaneseuniversal
"Universal" comes from a Sanskrit term meaning "pervasive or omnipresent".
Khmerជាសកល
“ជាសកល” (universal) can also mean “applicable to all cases” or “accepted by all” in Khmer.
Laoສາກົນ
Malaysejagat
In Javanese, the word "sejagat" refers to the universe, which has various manifestations depending on the context.
Thaiสากล
The word สากล (universal) comes from the Sanskrit word "sāgāra" (ocean) and also means "common to all" in Thai.
Vietnamesephổ cập
From Sino-Vietnamese phổ cập "(universal) distribution" from Chinese 普及 "to spread universally" from 普 "universal" + 及 "to reach".
Filipino (Tagalog)unibersal

Universal in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniuniversal
The Azerbaijani word "universal" (universallıq) is derived from the French "universalité" and ultimately from the Latin "universalis", meaning "of or belonging to all".
Kazakhәмбебап
Kyrgyzуниверсалдуу
The word "универсалдуу" can also mean "comprehensive" or "all-inclusive" in Kyrgyz.
Tajikуниверсалӣ
Turkmenähliumumy
Uzbekuniversal
Uyghurئۇنۋېرسال

Universal in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianākea
The word "ākea" is also the Hawaiian name for the god of the sky and light.
Maoriao katoa
In Maori, the word "ao katoa" refers to the physical realm as well as the supernatural realm.
Samoanlautele
The Samoan word
Tagalog (Filipino)unibersal
"Unibersal" is derived from Latin "universalis" and Spanish "universal".

Universal in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarataqinitaki
Guaraniuniversal rehegua

Universal in International Languages

Esperantouniversala
Esperanto's "universala" (universal) means "that which pertains to the whole world" or "to all peoples". Universal in English has these meanings plus additional ones, such as "in common use", "accepted without argument", etc.
Latinuniversal
The Latin word "universalis" originally meant "belonging to the whole world" or "affecting all people."

Universal in Others Languages

Greekπαγκόσμιος
{"text": "The Greek word "Παγκόσμιος" can also mean "of the world" or "global," which is reflected in its component parts: "πας" (all) and "κόσμος" (world)."}}
Hmonguniversal
In Hmong, "universal" is also used as an acronym, "UN," meaning "United Nations."
Kurdishgişt
"Gişt" (universal) comes from the Proto-Indo-European root *ǵʰis- (“to hold, grasp"), sharing cognates with "fist".
Turkishevrensel
The word "evrensel" in Turkish also means "common to all parts or members of a whole".
Xhosakwindalo iphela
The compound word "kwindalo iphela" literally translates to "in the place of the head", suggesting a position of centrality or comprehensiveness.
Yiddishוניווערסאַל
The Yiddish word "וניווערסאַל" can also mean "everywhere" or "all-embracing."
Zuluindawo yonke
Indawo yonke comes from the word indawo, meaning 'place', and yonke, meaning 'all', suggesting a place that encompasses all other places.
Assameseসাৰ্বজনীন
Aymarataqinitaki
Bhojpuriसार्वभौमिक बा
Dhivehiޔުނިވާސަލް އެވެ
Dogriसार्वभौमिक ऐ
Filipino (Tagalog)unibersal
Guaraniuniversal rehegua
Ilocanosapasap nga
Krioɔlsay na di wɔl
Kurdish (Sorani)گشتگیرە
Maithiliसार्वभौमिक
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯌꯨꯅꯤꯚꯔꯁꯦꯜ ꯑꯣꯏꯕꯥ꯫
Mizokhawvel pum huap a ni
Oromokan hundaaf ta’u
Odia (Oriya)ସର୍ବଭାରତୀୟ |
Quechuauniversal nisqa
Sanskritसार्वत्रिकम्
Tatarуниверсаль
Tigrinyaኣድማሳዊ ምዃኑ’ዩ።
Tsongaya misava hinkwayo

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