Updated on March 6, 2024
The word 'warm' holds a special place in our hearts and vocabularies, evoking feelings of comfort, closeness, and security. Its significance extends beyond the mere sensation of heat, as it often symbolizes human connection and kindness in different cultures and languages. For instance, in German, 'warm' translates to 'warm', while in Spanish, it's 'caliente' and in French, 'chaud'. These variations not only reflect linguistic diversity but also offer a glimpse into how different cultures perceive and express the concept of warmth.
Delving into the historical context, the English word 'warm' originates from the Old English 'wearm', which means 'hot' or 'excited'. Over time, its meaning has expanded to encompass not just physical warmth but also emotional and social warmth. This evolution showcases how language adapts to our experiences and needs, mirroring our growing appreciation for the subtleties of human interaction.
Given the cultural importance and rich associations of the word 'warm', it's no wonder that language enthusiasts might be curious about its translations in various tongues. Join us as we embark on a linguistic journey to explore the many facets of 'warm' in different languages.
Afrikaans | warm | ||
In Afrikaans, the word "warm" can also mean "comfortable" or "cozy". | |||
Amharic | ሞቃት | ||
The Amharic term | |||
Hausa | dumi | ||
In Hausa, the word "dumi" can also refer to "a warm place" or "a warm feeling". | |||
Igbo | kpoo ọkụ | ||
Malagasy | mafana | ||
In certain dialects of Malagasy, "mafana" means "warm" but is also used to describe the feeling of comfort or coziness. | |||
Nyanja (Chichewa) | ofunda | ||
The word "ofunda" in Nyanja also refers to a time that is hot or a period of time when it is hot. | |||
Shona | inodziya | ||
"Inodziya," meaning warm in Shona, is also used to describe a person with a warm personality. | |||
Somali | diiran | ||
The word "diiran" also means "heat" in Somali, and is related to the word "dir" meaning "sun". | |||
Sesotho | mofuthu | ||
The word "mofuthu" (warm) in Sesotho is derived from the Proto-Bantu root "-fwuθu-", and its cognates include "mofufutso" (hot water) and "mofufutho" (warmth). | |||
Swahili | joto | ||
The Swahili word "joto" has additional meanings, including "spicy" and "hot-tempered". | |||
Xhosa | kushushu | ||
The name of a popular traditional Xhosa beer, _utywala oqushu_, contains the term _kushushu_, referring to its warmth. | |||
Yoruba | loworo | ||
In some contexts, "loworo" can refer to a person who is calm, gentle, or easygoing. | |||
Zulu | kufudumele | ||
The word "kufudumele" also has the alternate meaning of "to be lazy" in Zulu. | |||
Bambara | wɔlɔkɔ | ||
Ewe | xɔ dzo | ||
Kinyarwanda | gishyushye | ||
Lingala | molunge | ||
Luganda | okubuguma | ||
Sepedi | ruthela | ||
Twi (Akan) | botrobodwo | ||
Arabic | دافئ | ||
"دافئ" comes from the same root as "دفء" (warmth), which is related to the word "دف" (to cover or protect from the cold) | |||
Hebrew | נעים | ||
"נעים", apart from its usual meaning "warm", can also mean "sweet" in the modern sense of the word, and "musical" or "pleasant" in biblical Hebrew. | |||
Pashto | ګرم | ||
ګرم (warm) also refers to a person who is generous or hospitable in Pashto. | |||
Arabic | دافئ | ||
"دافئ" comes from the same root as "دفء" (warmth), which is related to the word "دف" (to cover or protect from the cold) |
Albanian | te ngrohte | ||
Basque | epela | ||
In the Basque-French dictionary of 1745, the word | |||
Catalan | càlid | ||
In Catalan, the word "càlid" can also refer to a person who is friendly, cheerful, or optimistic. | |||
Croatian | toplo | ||
'Toplo' in Croatian is cognate to 'tepl' in Russian and 'tepid' in English, all deriving from Proto-Indo-European *tep- 'to be warm' | |||
Danish | varm | ||
"Varmt vand" in Danish refers to both warm water and hot water. | |||
Dutch | warm | ||
In Dutch, the word "warm" can also be used to refer to a place of safety or comfort, e.g. "in de warme schoot van de familie" (in the warm bosom of the family). | |||
English | warm | ||
The term 'warm' derives from the Old English 'wearm', meaning 'comfortable' or 'sheltered', and is also related to the German 'warm', meaning 'heat'. | |||
French | chaud | ||
Derived from the Latin 'caldus' (hot, warm), 'chaud' also means 'spicy' in the context of food. | |||
Frisian | waarm | ||
Galician | quente | ||
The word "quente" in Galician can also refer to a state of being tipsy or slightly drunk. | |||
German | warm | ||
In Old English, “warm” also referred to heat generated from within the body of a living being. | |||
Icelandic | hlýtt | ||
The Proto-Germanic origin of "hlýtt" also underlies words for "shelter" in various languages, suggesting an underlying meaning of "protected from the cold." | |||
Irish | te | ||
Te is derived from the Old Irish word 'teith' and is also used to denote 'warmth' in the context of human relationships. | |||
Italian | caldo | ||
In Spanish, the word "caldo" means "broth" and in Latin it means "heat." | |||
Luxembourgish | waarm | ||
It is sometimes used to describe a person who is drunk. | |||
Maltese | sħun | ||
The Maltese word "sħun" shares the same Proto-Semitic root as the Arabic word "sakhina" and the Hebrew word "shamn" (oil), all three having the sense of "heat". | |||
Norwegian | varm | ||
The word "varm" can also mean "affectionate" or "comfortable". | |||
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil) | caloroso | ||
"Caloroso" comes from the Latin word "calor" meaning heat, and can also mean enthusiastic or zealous in Portuguese. | |||
Scots Gaelic | blàth | ||
The Scots Gaelic word "blàth" may be cognate with the Welsh "blawd" ("flower"), suggesting a connection between warmth and bloom. | |||
Spanish | calentar | ||
The verb "calentar" originally meant "to ignite" or "to shine". | |||
Swedish | värma | ||
"Värma" is also a verb meaning "to recruit" in Swedish. | |||
Welsh | cynnes | ||
The word "cynnes" in Welsh can also mean "kindliness" or "affection". |
Belarusian | цёплы | ||
The Belarusian word "цёплы" is derived from the Proto-Slavic root *tepъlъ, which also means "warm" in many other Slavic languages. | |||
Bosnian | toplo | ||
Toplo is a word used to describe something that is warm, comforting, or cozy | |||
Bulgarian | топло | ||
The Bulgarian word "топло" (warm) is also a cognate of the English word "tub" | |||
Czech | teplý | ||
Czech "teplý" derives from *teplo* "heat" cognate to English "tepid." | |||
Estonian | soe | ||
The word "soe" is cognate with the Finnish word "soa" and the Sami word "čohkka"," both meaning "warm" or "hot". It is also related to the Proto-Uralic word *soke, meaning "warm" or "hot". | |||
Finnish | lämmin | ||
The word "lämmin" also refers to something friendly, compassionate, or affectionate. | |||
Hungarian | meleg | ||
The word "meleg" can also refer to a fever or heat, and is related to the word "melegség" (heat) | |||
Latvian | silts | ||
The word "silts" also means "strong", "powerful", "solid" or "vigorous" in Latvian. | |||
Lithuanian | šilta | ||
The Lithuanian word "šilta" can refer to both the physical sensation of warmth and a cozy atmosphere. | |||
Macedonian | топло | ||
The word "топло" can also mean "hospitable" or "welcoming" in Macedonian. | |||
Polish | ciepły | ||
The word "ciepły" in Polish can also mean "gay" or "homosexual" in slang, derived from the notion of warmth and intimacy associated with same-sex relationships. | |||
Romanian | cald | ||
The Romanian word "cald" is derived from the Latin "calidus", meaning "hot", and also relates to the English word "caldron". | |||
Russian | теплый | ||
"Теплый" can also mean "soft" or "gentle". | |||
Serbian | топло | ||
The word "топло" not only means "warm" in Serbian but can also refer to something cozy or inviting. | |||
Slovak | teplý | ||
The word "teplý" also means "gay" in Slovak slang. | |||
Slovenian | toplo | ||
The Slovene word | |||
Ukrainian | теплий | ||
"Теплий" derives from the Proto-Slavic "*tepъlejь" and shares its root with "heat" and "temperature" |
Bengali | উষ্ণ | ||
The Bengali word 'উষ্ণ' also translates in Sanskrit to mean either 'enthusiastic', 'hot' or 'passionate' in addition to 'warm'. | |||
Gujarati | ગરમ | ||
"ગરમ" also means "hot-tempered" in Gujarati. | |||
Hindi | गरम | ||
The word 'गरम' is commonly used to describe extreme temperatures or heated emotions, but it can also refer to spices or condiments that contribute a spicy or piquant flavor to food. | |||
Kannada | ಬೆಚ್ಚಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ | ||
Malayalam | .ഷ്മളമായ | ||
The word ".ഷ്മളമായ" can also mean "comfortable" or "pleasant" depending on the context. | |||
Marathi | उबदार | ||
"उबदार" is an adjective in Marathi that means "warm" or "gentle". | |||
Nepali | न्यानो | ||
The word "न्यानो" in Nepali derives from the Proto-Sino-Tibetan root *gn-am, shared with "warm" in many Indo-European languages. | |||
Punjabi | ਗਰਮ | ||
The Punjabi word "ਗਰਮ" (garam) also refers to the zodiac sign Aries in astrology. | |||
Sinhala (Sinhalese) | උණුසුම් | ||
The Sinhala term "උණුසුම්" also holds the connotation of "love and affection" in the context of relationships. | |||
Tamil | சூடான | ||
The Tamil word "சூடான" also means "fiery" or "passionate" in some contexts. | |||
Telugu | వెచ్చని | ||
The word "వెచ్చని" is derived from the root word "వేగు" meaning "to cook" and is also used to describe something that is comforting or cozy. | |||
Urdu | گرم | ||
Chinese (Simplified) | 暖 | ||
In Chinese, the character '暖' ('warm') originally represented the sun rising over the horizon, and it has also been used to represent warmth in people or relationships. | |||
Chinese (Traditional) | 暖 | ||
In some contexts, 暖 means 'warm-hearted'. | |||
Japanese | 暖かい | ||
Originally meant “facing the sun, sunny”, “暖かい” later came to denote the sensation of warmth. | |||
Korean | 따뜻한 | ||
Mongolian | дулаан | ||
"Дулаан" (warm) is also a Mongolian word for "comfortable", and is frequently used to describe feelings, emotions, and moods. | |||
Myanmar (Burmese) | နွေး | ||
Indonesian | hangat | ||
"Hangat" also means "excited" in Indonesian and is derived from the Sanskrit word "hung" meaning "to move". | |||
Javanese | anget | ||
The word 'anget' in Javanese also means 'spicy' or 'hot' in the sense of taste. | |||
Khmer | កក់ក្តៅ | ||
Lao | ອົບອຸ່ນ | ||
The Lao word ອົບອຸ່ນ also means "to comfort or take care of" someone, which is a more metaphorical meaning of warmth. | |||
Malay | suam | ||
The word "suam" also means "lukewarm" in Malay. | |||
Thai | อบอุ่น | ||
อบอุ่น (warm) comes from Khmer អបអន (อบ = to warm oneself, อน = heat), which is probably of Chinese origin from 熱 (hot). | |||
Vietnamese | ấm áp | ||
Âm áp literally translates to "sound warm", referring to the feeling of being warm and cozy. | |||
Filipino (Tagalog) | mainit-init | ||
Azerbaijani | isti | ||
The word | |||
Kazakh | жылы | ||
In Kazakh, the word "жылы" can also refer to "warmth" as an abstract noun or "affectionate" in the case of relationships or emotions. | |||
Kyrgyz | жылуу | ||
The Kyrgyz word "жылуу" also refers to the concept of warmth and comfort in a figurative sense, such as when describing a loving or welcoming atmosphere. | |||
Tajik | гарм | ||
The word "гарм" also refers to the southern region of Tajikistan, known as the "Khatlon Region." | |||
Turkmen | ýyly | ||
Uzbek | iliq | ||
The word “iliq” has other meanings: soft, moist, flexible. | |||
Uyghur | قىزغىن | ||
Hawaiian | mehana | ||
While "mehana" most commonly means "warm" in Hawaiian, it can also mean "soft" or "gentle." | |||
Maori | mahana | ||
The word "mahana" can also mean "day" or "sun" in Māori. | |||
Samoan | mafanafana | ||
The Samoan word "mafanafana" also means "close", as in a close relationship or family bond. | |||
Tagalog (Filipino) | mainit-init | ||
"Mainit-init" can mean "steamy" in Tagalog, especially in the context of a humid place or food." |
Aymara | junt'u | ||
Guarani | haku | ||
Esperanto | varma | ||
The Esperanto word | |||
Latin | calidum | ||
Calidus is not just 'warm' but can also mean 'hot', 'violent', or 'intense' in Latin. |
Greek | ζεστός | ||
The Greek word 'ζεστός' ('warm') is also used to describe the feeling of comfort, coziness, or hospitality. | |||
Hmong | sov siab | ||
The Hmong word "sov siab" is derived from Chinese, and it also means "respectful". | |||
Kurdish | germ | ||
In Kurdish, "germ" also means "seed" and is used in the phrase "germiya xweş" (literally "good seed") to mean "kind-hearted" or "good-natured". | |||
Turkish | ilık, hafif sıcak | ||
Ilık is related to the word "ılık" (mild, gentle) in Turkish, indicating a moderate degree of warmth. | |||
Xhosa | kushushu | ||
The name of a popular traditional Xhosa beer, _utywala oqushu_, contains the term _kushushu_, referring to its warmth. | |||
Yiddish | וואַרעם | ||
The Yiddish word "וואַרעם" (warm) is etymologically related to the German word "warm" and also has an alternate meaning of "comfortable" or "cozy". | |||
Zulu | kufudumele | ||
The word "kufudumele" also has the alternate meaning of "to be lazy" in Zulu. | |||
Assamese | উষ্ণ | ||
Aymara | junt'u | ||
Bhojpuri | गरम | ||
Dhivehi | ތާފަނާ | ||
Dogri | तत्ता | ||
Filipino (Tagalog) | mainit-init | ||
Guarani | haku | ||
Ilocano | nabara | ||
Krio | wam | ||
Kurdish (Sorani) | گەرم | ||
Maithili | गर्म | ||
Meiteilon (Manipuri) | ꯐꯣꯡ ꯐꯣꯡ ꯁꯥꯕ | ||
Mizo | lum | ||
Oromo | ho'aa | ||
Odia (Oriya) | ଗରମ | ||
Quechua | quñi | ||
Sanskrit | उष्णम् | ||
Tatar | җылы | ||
Tigrinya | ውዑይ | ||
Tsonga | kufumela | ||