Forest in Different Languages | An International and Multilingual Perspective 2026

The word forest represents nature, peace, and the deep connection humans share with the natural world. Learning forest in different languages helps us understand how cultures describe the landscapes that shape their lives. 

It also opens the door to global communication and shows how communities express their respect for nature.Exploring the translation of forest across countries reveals both cultural meaning and linguistic beauty.

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Forest in European Languages

• Spanish: bosque (BOSS-keh)
  
• French: forêt (fo-REH)
  
• German: Wald (vahld)
  
• Italian: foresta (foh-RES-tah)
  
• Portuguese: floresta (floh-RES-tah)
  
• Dutch: woud (wowd)
  
• Polish: las (lahss)
  

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Forest in Native American Languages

• Navajo: ch’íiyáh (chee-YAH)
  
• Cherokee: atsali gawonv’i (aht-SAH-lee gah-WOHN-vee)
  
• Ojibwe: mitigwaaki (mih-tih-GWAH-kee)
  
• Lakota: čhaŋkpé oyákapi (chahn-KPEH oh-YAH-kah-pee)
  
• Hopi: töwàlni (TOH-wahl-nee)
  
• Inuit: nunnguq (NOON-goo)
  
• Shawnee: teekwe thaape (tee-kweh THAH-peh)
  

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Forest in Asian Languages

• Chinese (Mandarin): sēnlín (sen-lin)
  
• Japanese: mori (mo-ree)
  
• Korean: sup (soop)
  
• Hindi: van (vun)
  
• Thai: pâa (pah)
  
• Malay/Indonesian: hutan (hoo-tahn)
  
• Filipino: gubat (goo-baht)
  

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Forest in Middle Eastern Languages

• Arabic: ghābah (gha-bah)
  
• Hebrew: ya’ar (yah-ar)
  
• Turkish: orman (OR-man)
  
• Persian (Farsi): jangal (jan-GAL)
  
• Kurdish: daristan (dar-is-TAHN)
  
• Pashto: jungle (jun-gull)
  
• Aramaic: ya‘rotha (yah-RO-tha)
  

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Forest in African Languages

• Swahili: msitu (m-SEE-too)
  
• Zulu: ihlangakuhle (ee-HLAHN-gah-koo-shleh)
  
• Amharic: dengay meret (den-GUY meh-ret)
  
• Hausa: daaji (DAH-jee)
  
• Yoruba: igbo (EE-gboh)
  
• Somali: keyn (kay-n)
  
• Shona: sango (SAHN-go)
  

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Forest in Indigenous Languages

• Maori: ngahere (ngah-HEH-reh)
  
• Hawaiian: nahele (nah-HEH-leh)
  
• Quechua: sach’a (sah-CHAH)
  
• Aymara: chuqi q’asa (choo-kee kah-sah)
  
• Tongan: va‘e kulo (vah-eh KOO-lo)
  
• Fijian: veikau (vay-KAU)
  
• Samoan: vao (vah-oh)
  

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Forest in the Iroquoian Language Family

• Mohawk: karháksen (kar-HAK-sen)
  
• Seneca: onö’ëh (oh-NOH-eh)
  
• Cayuga: onóhsa’ (oh-NO-sa)
  
• Onondaga: ohsą́hkwa’ (oh-SAH-kwah)
  
• Oneida: kanáhsa’ (kah-NAH-sa)
  
• Tuscarora: yo·líheʔ (yoh-LEE-heh)
  
• Wyandot: watehsa (wah-TEH-sah)
  

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Forest in Plains Languages

• Blackfoot: aapohsapiksi (ah-POH-sah-pik-see)
  
• Crow: bishdáxxaashuua (bish-DAHK-shoo-ah)
  
• Cheyenne: ma’evéhona (mah-eh-VAY-ho-nah)
  
• Arapaho: nih’oo3owoowu (nih-oh-OH-woo-woo)
  
• Comanche: kuutʉpʉ̠ (koo-TOO-poo)
  
• Pawnee: ra’kukta (rah-KOOK-tah)
  
• Kiowa: p’audau (pow-DAW)
  

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Forest in Southeastern Languages

• Choctaw: akokshi (ah-KOK-shee)
  
• Chickasaw: akokti (ah-KOK-tee)
  
• Seminole: vhayekv (v-hah-YEH-kuh)
  
• Catawba: wahera (wah-HEH-rah)
  
• Timucua: sawa-li (sah-wah-LEE)
  
• Creek (Muscogee): kvsvkv (kuh-SUH-kuh)
  
• Yuchi: sanole (sah-NOH-leh)
  

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Forest in Northwestern Languages

• Tlingit: káawu (KAH-woo)
  
• Haida: ts’iihldaang (tsee-HL-dang)
  
• Salish: st’qélh (st-KELL)
  
• Tsimshian: wask’a (wah-SKAH)
  
• Nuu-chah-nulth: yakʔak (yah-KAK)
  
• Chinook: tlachx̣w (tlah-HW)
  
• Klamath: wotókshi (woh-TOHK-shee)
  

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Forest in Additional World Languages

• Romanian: pădure (pah-DOO-reh)
  
• Swedish: skog (skoog)
  
• Norwegian: skog (skohg)
  
• Finnish: metsä (met-sah)
  
• Icelandic: skógur (SKO-gur)
  
• Danish: skov (skaw)
  
• Estonian: mets (mets)
  
• Latvian: mežs (mezh)
  
• Hungarian: erdő (AIR-duh)
  
• Serbian: šuma (SHOO-mah)
  
• Croatian: šuma (SHOO-mah)
  
• Slovak: les (less)
  
• Czech: les (less)
  
• Georgian: tke (tkeh)
  
• Mongolian: oi mod (oy mod)
  

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Examples of Using ‘Forest’ in Sentences Across Languages

• Spanish: bosque — El bosque guarda secretos antiguos.
  Meaning: The forest holds ancient secrets.
  
• French: forêt — La forêt apporte une paix profonde.
  Meaning: The forest brings deep peace.
  
• Arabic: ghābah — الغابة تمنحنا هواءً نقيًا.
  Meaning: The forest gives us fresh air.
  
• Hindi: van — वन हमें प्रकृति की सुंदरता दिखाता है।
  Meaning: The forest shows us nature’s beauty.
  
• Japanese: mori — 森は生命の静かな家です。
  Meaning: The forest is a quiet home of life.
  
• German: Wald — Der Wald schützt viele Tiere.
  Meaning: The forest protects many animals.
  
• Swahili: msitu — Msitu huleta uhai kwa dunia.
  Meaning: The forest brings life to the world.
  

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Cultural Meaning of ‘Forest’ Around the World

Forests hold deep cultural significance in many societies.

Some cultures see forests as sacred spaces where spirits and ancestors reside. Others view them as symbols of protection, mystery, or renewal. 

In Asian traditions, forests are often connected to meditation and inner peace, while African cultures may link forests to communal survival and storytelling. From Europe’s enchanted woods to the Amazon’s ancient ecosystems, the meaning of forest reflects each community’s history, beliefs, and connection to nature.

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Conclusion

Exploring forest in different languages reveals how beautifully diverse our world is. Each translation reflects a unique relationship with nature and a different cultural story.

By learning these words, we deepen our global understanding and celebrate the shared human appreciation for the natural world.