Word-Love in Many Languages:
A Linguistic Journey Through the Word ‘Love’
Love is one of the most powerful emotions, and every culture expresses it in unique ways. But have you ever wondered how different languages capture this universal feeling? From ancient roots to unique cultural concepts, let’s explore the linguistic journey of “love” across the world.
1. The Etymology of “Love”
The English word love comes from the Old English lufu, which is related to Old High German luba and Old Norse lof. These all trace back to the Proto-Indo-European root leubh- (to care, desire, or be fond of).
However, not all languages use a single word for love—many differentiate between romantic, familial, and deep spiritual connections.
2. Unique Cultural Concepts of Love
Different languages capture love in ways that English cannot fully express. Here are a few fascinating examples:
- Tagalog (Philippines): “Gigil” – The overwhelming urge to squeeze or pinch someone out of affection (not always romantic).
- Xhosa (South Africa): “Uthando” – A word that carries deep emotional and spiritual significance.
- Nahuatl (Mexico): “Tlamati” – To love someone through understanding them deeply.
- Japanese: “Koi” (恋) vs. “Ai” (愛) – “Koi” refers to passionate or romantic love, while “Ai” is unconditional, enduring love.
- Greek: “Philautia” (Φιλαυτία) – Self-love, which the ancient Greeks saw as either healthy (self-compassion) or unhealthy (narcissism).
Each language reflects cultural values through its expression of love. Some focus on the intensity of romantic love, while others emphasize friendship, respect, or even the joy of understanding someone deeply.
3. Love in Lesser-Known Languages
Many smaller and endangered languages have their own beautiful words for love. Here are a few:
- Twi (Ghana): “Ɔdɔ”
- Inuktitut (Canada): “ᓇᒡᓕᒋᔭᖅ” (nagligijaug)
- Ainu (Japan): “Irankarapte” – Not just love, but a greeting wishing goodwill and warmth.
- Quechua (Andes): “Munay”
- Kalaallisut (Greenlandic): “Asavakkit”
These words carry deep meaning in their cultures, reminding us that love is more than just a feeling—it’s a way of life.
4. Ways to Say “Love” in Many Languages
Here’s how to say “love” across the world, including lesser-known languages:
- Afrikaans – Liefde
- Amharic – ፍቅር (fik’ir)
- Arabic – حب (ḥubb)
- Aymara – Munasiña
- Bengali – ভালোবাসা (bhalobasha)
- Breton – Karout
- Burmese – အချစ် (achit)
- Cherokee – ᎤᎶᎩᎸᎢ (ulógi lv’i)
- Dzongkha (Bhutan) – དགའ་བ (ga wa)
- Georgian – სიყვარული (siq’varuli)
- Hausa – Soyayya
- Hawaiian – Aloha
- Hindi – प्यार (pyaar)
- Icelandic – Ást
- Igbo – Ịhụnanya
- Kazakh – Сүйіспеншілік (süyіspenshіlіk)
- Khmer – ស្រឡាញ់ (sralanh)
- Māori – Aroha
- Mongolian – Хайр (khair)
- Nahuatl – Tlazohtlaliztli
- Navajo – Ayóó ánóshní
- Nepali – माया (maya)
- Oromo – Jaalala
- Pashto – مینه (mīna)
- Persian – عشق (eshgh)
- Quechua – Munay
- Samoan – Alofa
- Scottish Gaelic – Gràdh
- Shona – Rudo
- Swahili – Upendo
- Tajik – Муҳаббат (muḥabbat)
- Tibetan – དར་བ (dar ba)
- Tigrinya – ፍቕሪ (fekri)
- Welsh – Cariad
- Xhosa – Uthando
- Yoruba – Ifẹ
- Zulu – Uthando
*In Greek, love in the universal sense is “Αγάπη” (Agapi). The middle syllable is stressed. Deep romantic love is called “Έρωτας” (Erotas) in modern Greek or “Έρως” in ancient Greek. (*Contributed by:Marianthi Kotadaki)
Love is a universal language, but how we express it varies across cultures. Whether romantic, platonic, or spiritual, love is one of the most profound human experiences—one that connects us across time and borders.
Which word for love do you find most interesting? Let me know in the comments!