Exploring the devil in different languages helps us understand how cultures express fear, danger, mischief, or spiritual opposition. Words for “devil” often reveal deep cultural history, symbolism, and beliefs.
This guide explains the translation of devil with pronunciation, real-life usage, and cultural nuance far beyond basic vocabulary lists.
Why Learning ‘Devil’ in Different Languages Matters
Understanding the devil meaning across cultures gives you insight into religion, folklore, mythology, and daily expressions.
In some languages, the word refers to a supernatural enemy, while in others it describes a mischievous or troublesome person.
Learning the translation of devil in different languages also helps writers, learners, and cultural explorers use the term in accurate and respectful ways.
Devil in European Languages
- Spanish – “demonio” (deh-MOH-nyoh)
Formal; “diablo” is more common in everyday speech for a wicked or mischievous figure. - French – “diable” (dee-AH-bluh)
Used casually in idioms like “petit diable” for a playful troublemaker. - German – “Teufel” (TOY-fell)
Can sound intense; also used in exclamations expressing frustration. - Italian – “diavolo” (dee-AH-voh-loh)
Appears in many idioms and emotional expressions. - Portuguese – “diabo” (jee-AH-boo)
Common in both religious and everyday speech. - Dutch – “duivel” (DOY-vul)
Used metaphorically to describe dangerous intentions. - Greek – “diávolos” (διάβολος) (thee-AH-voh-los)
Formal word with spiritual meaning; often used in religious contexts.
Devil in Native American Languages
- Navajo – “chidí naa’ííʼ” (chee-DEE nah-EE)
Used for harmful spirits or destructive forces. - Cherokee – “ulvséstí” (ool-v-SEH-stee)
Refers to an evil or threatening being. - Lakota – “šičáya” (shee-CHA-yah)
Describes an evil spirit or force. - Hopi – “qöyantsi” (koi-YAHN-tsee)
Associated with harmful supernatural beings. - Ojibwe – “bagwajinini” (bah-gwah-jih-NEE-nee)
Used for a dark or dangerous spirit. - Blackfoot – “stááhksskaatsii” (stahk-SKAH-tsee)
Refers to a destructive entity in stories. - Mohawk – “skaneronhkwaˀ” (skah-NEH-ron-kwaa)
Used in traditional cautionary tales.
Devil in Asian Languages
- Hindi – “shaitān” (शैतान) (shai-TAAN)
Common in casual speech for someone naughty or troublesome. - Mandarin Chinese – “móguǐ” (魔鬼) (mo-gway)
Used for both supernatural and figurative meanings. - Japanese – “akuma” (悪魔) (AH-koo-mah)
Represents a demonic being in mythology. - Korean – “ma” (마) (mah)
Spiritual term used in traditional beliefs. - Malay – “iblis” (EE-bliss)
Refers to an evil being in religious contexts. - Thai – “phī xàt” (ปีศาจ) (pee-SAAT)
Describes ghosts, demons, and evil forces. - Filipino (Tagalog) – “demonyo” (deh-MON-nyoh)
Used in jokes or strong warnings alike.
Devil in Middle Eastern Languages
- Arabic – “shayṭān” (شيطان) (shai-TAAN)
Used both literally and metaphorically. - Hebrew – “satan” (שָׂטָן) (sah-TAHN)
Formal, often used in religious texts. - Turkish – “şeytan” (shey-TAHN)
Common in expressions warning bad behavior. - Persian – “sheyṭān” (شیطان) (shay-TAAN)
Used in serious and playful contexts. - Kurdish – “şetan” (sheh-TAHN)
Refers to a harmful or evil force. - Pashto – “shaytān” (shai-TAAN)
Used in spiritual discussions. - Aramaic – “sāṭānā” (sah-TAH-nah)
Traditional term with ancient roots.
Devil in African Languages
- Swahili – “shetani” (sheh-TAH-nee)
Refers to spirits causing harm or fear. - Yoruba – “èṣù” (EH-shoo)
Represents a complex spiritual figure, not purely evil. - Zulu – “uSathane” (oo-sah-TAH-neh)
Used in religious and moral teachings. - Hausa – “shaidān” (shy-DAAN)
Used commonly in daily speech. - Amharic – “seytan” (ሰይጣን) (say-TAHN)
Used for evil spirits or moral warnings. - Somali – “shaydaan” (shai-DAAN)
Appears in stories and lessons. - Berber – “aseṭṭan” (ah-set-TAHN)
Devil in Indigenous Languages
- Māori – “rewera” (reh-WEH-rah)
Used for evil forces in legends. - Hawaiian – “diabolō” (dee-ah-BOH-loh)
Modern borrowing used in storytelling. - Inuktitut – “tariagajuq” (tah-ree-ah-GAH-yook)
Describes a dangerous spirit. - Samoan – “tiapolo” (tee-AH-poh-loh)
Used in warnings and folklore. - Fijian – “tevoro” (teh-VOH-roh)
Used across islands for supernatural beings. - Aymara – “supaya” (soo-PAH-yah)
Represents an underworld spirit. - Quechua – “saqra” (SAK-rah)
Devil in Iroquoian Language Family
- Seneca – “dwáa’sǫh” (dwaan-SOH)
- Cayuga – “tsʼahę́hsnon” (tsah-HENS-non)
- Onondaga – “tsha’nenónh” (cha-neh-NONH)
- Oneida – “otsí·tahkwa” (oh-TSEE-tah-kwah)
- Tuscarora – “skahená·rah” (skah-heh-NAH-rah)
- Wyandot – “yooˀtraka” (yoo-TRAH-kah)
- Mohawk – “raschénhkwa” (rah-SHEN-kwa)
Devil in Plains Languages
- Sioux – “šiča makȟá”
- Crow – “diléela”
- Cheyenne – “ma’hetane”
- Arapaho – “héínot”
- Kiowa – “t’áu:tsop”
- Comanche – “muhkatsi”
- Pawnee – “raharikát”
Devil in Southeastern Languages
- Choctaw – “shilombish”
- Chickasaw – “shilompish”
- Seminole – “fásvte”
- Catawba – “rénach”
- Timucua – “holaka”
- Yuchi – “sáshkʉ”
- Muscogee Creek – “hvse”
Devil in Northwestern Languages
- Tlingit – “x̱eiyádi”
- Haida – “t’áalang”
- Tsimshian – “łguus”
- Salish – “sx̌ʷulúq”
- Chinook – “skámats”
- Yakama – “t’áwshk”
- Tillamook – “káwtsun”
Devil in Additional World Languages
- Albanian – “djall”
- Romanian – “diavol”
- Bulgarian – “dyavol”
- Georgian – “q’vlisi”
- Uzbek – “shayton”
- Mongolian – “chötgör”
- Sinhala – “yakā”
- Tamil – “pey”
- Burmese – “byalú”
- Khmer – “apray”
- Lao – “phi xaat”
- Icelandic – “djöfull”
- Swedish – “djävul”
- Finnish – “paholainen”
- Estonian – “kurat”
Examples of Using ‘Devil’ in Sentences Across Languages
Spanish:
“El demonio en la historia representa el miedo humano.”
The devil in the story represents human fear.
French:
“Le diable apparaît souvent dans les contes anciens.”
The devil often appears in old tales.
Arabic:
“هذا الفعل من عمل الشيطان.”
This action is the work of the devil.
Hindi:
“कहानी में शैतान लोगों को डराता है।”
In the story, the devil frightens people.
Japanese:
“その悪魔は人々を試す存在として描かれています。”
The devil is shown as a being that tests people.
Swahili:
“Shetani hutumiwa kama mfano wa maovu.”
Devil is used as a symbol of wrongdoing.
Cultural Meaning of ‘Devil’ Around the World
Across cultures, the term “devil” carries layers of symbolic meaning. In some societies, the devil represents temptation or moral challenges. In others, it symbolizes chaos, mischief, or fear of the unknown.
Many Indigenous communities use the concept to describe harmful forces in nature rather than a single supernatural enemy. These variations help us understand how different worlds perceive danger, morality, and spiritual conflict.
Conclusion
Exploring devil in different languages helps us appreciate how cultures express fear, caution, and spiritual struggle. Understanding the translation of devil deepens cultural awareness and enriches storytelling, writing, and language learning.
The more you explore these unique expressions, the more insight you gain into global beliefs and the shared human experience behind them.
Ava Johnson
I’m Ava Johnson, a language lover and content writer who enjoys exploring words across cultures. I write to make languages simple, meaningful, and easy to understand for everyone. My passion is creating content that helps readers connect with different languages, phrases, and meanings in a practical way. Through my writing, I aim to educate, inspire, and make learning feel enjoyable. I believe language is a bridge that brings people closer. Every article I write is crafted with clarity, care, and curiosity.
Books by Ava Johnson:
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Words Without Borders
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The Beauty of Global Languages