Saying “Song” in European Languages
Western European Languages
- French – chanson
- Spanish – canción
- Italian – canzone
- Portuguese – canção
- German – Lied
- Dutch – liedje
Northern European Languages
- Danish – sang
- Swedish – sång
- Norwegian – sang
- Finnish – laulu
- Icelandic – lag
Eastern European Languages
- Russian – песня (pesnya)
- Ukrainian – пісня (pisnya)
- Polish – piosenka
- Czech – píseň
- Bulgarian – песен (pesen)
- Romanian – cântec
Celtic Languages
- Irish (Gaelic) – amhrán
- Scottish Gaelic – òran
- Welsh – cân
- Breton – kanaouenn
- Cornish – kerdhin
Other European Languages
- Basque – abestia
- Albanian – këngë
- Greek – τραγούδι (tragoudi)
- Maltese – kanzunetta
- Hungarian – dal
How to Say “Song” in Asian Languages
East Asian Languages
- Chinese (Mandarin) – 歌 (gē)
- Japanese – 歌 (uta)
- Korean – 노래 (norae)
South Asian Languages
- Hindi – गीत (geet)
- Urdu – گانا (gāna)
- Punjabi – ਗੀਤ (gīt)
- Bengali – গান (gaan)
- Tamil – பாடல் (pāṭal)
- Telugu – పాట (pāṭa)
- Marathi – गाणं (gāṇaṃ)
- Gujarati – ગીત (gīt)
- Sinhala – ගීතය (geethaya)
Southeast Asian Languages
- Indonesian – lagu
- Malay – lagu
- Thai – เพลง (phleng)
- Vietnamese – bài hát
- Tagalog (Filipino) – awit
- Burmese – သီချင်း (thì hkyin)
Central Asian Languages
- Kazakh – ән (än)
- Uzbek – qoʻshiq
- Turkmen – aýdym
- Kyrgyz – ыр (yr)
- Tajik – суруд (surud)
Saying “Song” in African Languages
- Swahili – wimbo
- Zulu – ingoma
- Xhosa – ingoma
- Hausa – waƙa
- Yoruba – orin
- Amharic – መዝሙር (mezmur)
- Somali – hees
- Shona – rwiyo
- Afrikaans – liedjie
Saying “Song” in Indigenous and Native Languages
- Navajo – hózhóní (meaning “beauty” or used in traditional chants)
- Cherokee – ᎧᎾᎦ (kanaga)
- Hawaiian – mele
- Maori – waiata
- Inuktitut – ajaaja (a traditional Inuit song)
Romantic Use
In romantic or poetic contexts, a song often represents deep emotion, memory, or love. For example:
- French: Tu es ma chanson préférée. (You are my favorite song.)
- Hindi: Tum mere geet ho. (You are my song.)
- Spanish: Eres la canción de mi corazón. (You are the song of my heart.)
Using Translations and Meanings in Sentences
- Japanese: この歌はとても感動的です。(This song is very emotional.)
- Russian: Эта песня напоминает мне о детстве. (This song reminds me of my childhood.)
- Arabic: هذه الأغنية جميلة جدا. (This song is very beautiful.)
Cultural Insights in Usage
- In many cultures, songs are passed down orally to preserve history, mythology, and tradition.
- In Africa, song and rhythm are central to community storytelling and ceremony.
- In Asia, classical songs often carry religious, emotional, or philosophical meaning.
- Folk songs across Europe and the Americas are closely tied to identity, love, labor, and resistance.
Final Thoughts
The word “song” resonates globally, with each language offering a unique sound and cultural depth. Whether sung in joy, sorrow, or love, songs are a universal expression of the human soul
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the oldest known song?
The oldest surviving song is the “Hurrian Hymn No. 6” from ancient Mesopotamia, around 1400 BCE.
What’s the difference between a song and a melody?
A song includes lyrics and melody; a melody is just the musical tune without words.
Can “song” mean something symbolic?
Yes, in poetry or literature, a “song” often symbolizes emotion, freedom, or a personal story.