Discover how the word “Time” is translated across various languages and cultures, along with its meanings in romantic, daily, and traditional contexts.

Saying “Time” in European Languages

Western European Languages

• French: Temps
  
• Spanish: Tiempo
  
• Italian: Tempo
  
• Portuguese: Tempo
  
• German: Zeit
  
• Dutch: Tijd
  

Northern European Languages

• Swedish: Tid
  
• Danish: Tid
  
• Norwegian: Tid
  
• Finnish: Aika
  
• Icelandic: Tími
  

Eastern European Languages

• Russian: Время (Vremya)
  
• Polish: Czas
  
• Czech: Čas
  
• Romanian: Timp
  
• Bulgarian: Време (Vreme)
  

Celtic Languages

• Irish: Am
  
• Welsh: Amser
  
• Scottish Gaelic: Ùine
  
• Breton: Amzer
  

Other European Languages

• Greek: Χρόνος (Chronos) / Ώρα (Ora – for clock time)
  
• Hungarian: Idő
  
• Basque: Denbora
  
• Albanian: Koha
  
• Maltese: Ħin
  

Saying “Time” in Asian Languages

East Asian Languages

• Chinese (Mandarin): 时间 (Shíjiān)
  
• Japanese: 時間 (Jikan)
  
• Korean: 시간 (Sigan)
  
• Mongolian: Цаг хугацаа (Tsag khugatsaa)
  

South Asian Languages

• Hindi: समय (Samay)
  
• Urdu: وقت (Waqt)
  
• Bengali: সময় (Shômoe)
  
• Tamil: நேரம் (Nēram)
  
• Punjabi: ਸਮਾਂ (Samāṁ)
  
• Telugu: సమయం (Samayam)
  

Southeast Asian Languages

• Thai: เวลา (Wēlā)
  
• Vietnamese: Thời gian
  
• Indonesian/Malay: Waktu
  
• Tagalog (Filipino): Oras
  

Central Asian Languages

• Kazakh: Уақыт (Uaqyt)
  
• Uzbek: Vaqt
  
• Turkmen: Wagt
  
• Kyrgyz: Убакыт (Ubakyt)
  
• Tajik: Вақт (Vaqt)
  

Saying “Time” in African Languages

• Swahili: Wakati
  
• Yoruba: Àkókò
  
• Zulu: Isikhathi
  
• Amharic: ጊዜ (Gīzē)
  
• Hausa: Lokaci
  
• Somali: Waqti
  
• Shona: Nguva
  

Saying “Time” in Indigenous and Native Languages

• Navajo: Ałtse’
  
• Cherokee: ᎢᎦ (Iga)
  
• Maori (New Zealand): Wā
  
• Hawaiian: Manawa
  
• Quechua (Andes): Pacha
  

Romantic Use of the Word “Time”

• “Our time together is precious”
  
  • Spanish: Nuestro tiempo juntos es precioso
    
  • French: Notre temps ensemble est précieux
    
  • Japanese: 一緒に過ごす時間は貴重です (Issho ni sugosu jikan wa kichō desu)
    

Using Translations and Meanings in Sentences

• German: Ich habe keine Zeit (I have no time)
  
• Hindi: मुझे समय चाहिए (Mujhe samay chahiye – I need time)
  
• Swahili: Huna wakati wa kupoteza (You have no time to waste)
  

Cultural Insights in Usage

• In Japanese and Korean cultures, time is associated with respect and punctuality.
  
• In Latin-based languages like Spanish and Italian, time is often romanticized in poetry and conversation.
  
• In African traditions, time is often flexible and community-based rather than clock-bound.
  
• In Indigenous languages, time may be cyclical rather than linear, linked with nature and seasons.
  

Final Thoughts

The word “time” is not only a universal concept but also deeply influenced by the cultural, social, and linguistic context of each region. Learning how to say “time” across languages opens a new dimension of understanding humanity’s shared perception of the past, present, and future.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

 What is the most common root for “time” across languages?
  Many Indo-European languages derive it from Latin “tempus” or Germanic roots like “tīd” (Old English).

 Is “time” interpreted the same way in all cultures?
  No, some cultures view time linearly (Western), while others see it as cyclical (Indigenous, Eastern philosophies).

 Which language has multiple words for time?
  Greek has “Chronos” (sequential time) and “Kairos” (opportune moment), showing different time concepts.

 What’s a poetic way to express time?
In Urdu poetry: “Waqt guzarta nahi, bas yaadein reh jaati hain” – Time doesn’t pass, only memories remain.