Time Around the World: The Word “Clock” in Many Languages
Time is a universal concept, but the way we talk about it differs across languages. The word “clock” has unique translations around the world, reflecting each culture’s approach to measuring time. Whether you’re traveling, learning a new language, or just curious, here’s how different languages express the word “clock.”
European Languages:
- Spanish: Reloj (reh-lohkh)
- (Reloj” is pronounced “reh-loh” or “reh-loh-ho” depending on the dialect, with the final “j” having a soft or guttural sound.)
- French: Horloge (or-lozh)
- German: Uhr (oo-er)
- Italian: Orologio (o-ro-lo-jyo)
- Portuguese: Relógio (heh-loh-zhee-oh)
- Dutch: Klok (klok)
- Greek: Ρολόι (Rolói) (ro-lo-ee)
- Russian: Часы (Chasy) (cha-see)
- Ukrainian: Годинник (Hodynnyk) (ho-din-nik)
- Polish: Zegar (zeh-gar)
- Czech: Hodiny (ho-di-ny)
- Hungarian: Óra (oh-ra)
- Serbian: Сат (Sat) (sat)
- Bulgarian: Часовник (Chasovnik) (cha-sov-nik)
- Lithuanian: Laikrodis (lai-kro-dis)
- Finnish: Kello (kel-lo)
Asian Languages:
- Chinese (Simplified): 时钟 (Shízhōng) (shrr-jong)
- Chinese (Traditional): 時鐘 (Shízhōng) (shrr-jong)
- Japanese: 時計 (Tokei) (toh-kay-ee)
- Korean: 시계 (Sigye) (shee-gyeh)
- Hindi: घड़ी (Ghaṛī) (gha-ree)
- Bengali: ঘড়ি (Ghoṛi) (ghaw-ree)
- Tamil: கடிகாரம் (Katikāram) (ka-di-kaa-ram)
- Telugu: గడియారం (Gadiyāram) (ga-di-yaa-ram)
- Urdu: گھڑی (Ghaṛī) (gha-ree)
- Thai: นาฬิกา (Nālikā) (naa-li-kaa)
- Vietnamese: Đồng hồ (dong-ho)
- Indonesian: Jam (jam)
- Filipino (Tagalog): Orasan (o-ra-san)
Middle Eastern & African Languages:
- Arabic: ساعة (Sā‘ah) (saa-ah)
- Hebrew: שעון (Sha’on) (sha-ohn)
- Turkish: Saat (saat)
- Persian (Farsi): ساعت (Sā’at) (saa-at) *
- Swahili: Saa (saa)
- Amharic: ሰዓት (Se‘āt) (seh-aht)
- Hausa: Agogo (ah-go-go)
- Yoruba: Aago (ah-ah-go)
- Pashto ساعت – (Sā’at)(saa-aht) *
Pashto and Persian (Farsi) are different languages, but they share some similarities because both belong to the Indo-Iranian language family.
- Pashto: Spoken mainly in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
- Persian (Farsi): Spoken in Iran, Afghanistan (as Dari), and Tajikistan (as Tajik).
Both use the Arabic-based script and have some shared vocabulary, which is why “clock” in both languages is ساعت (Sā’at). However, the pronunciation and grammar of Pashto and Persian are quite different.
Conclusion
Clocks keep us connected, on schedule, and aware of time no matter where we are in the world. The word “clock” has unique translations around the world, reflecting each culture’s approach to measuring time. While the word for “clock” may differ across languages, its purpose remains the same—helping us track the moments that shape our lives. Whether you say “horloge,” “reloj,” “saat,” or “shízhōng,” time continues to move forward in every language.
What’s your favorite translation from this list? Let us know in the comments!