Time is a universal idea that shapes every culture, yet every language expresses it in its own beautiful way.
Learning time in different languages helps us connect more deeply with people from around the world. It builds cultural understanding, enriches communication, and opens the door to new perspectives about life itself.
By discovering how different communities speak about time, we learn how they value moments, memories, and the future. This simple word carries great meaning across the globe.
Why Learning ‘Time’ in Different Languages Matters
Understanding the translation of time across cultures helps us appreciate different worldviews.
It shows how societies interpret history, daily routines, and the rhythm of life.
Learning how to say time in different languages also strengthens global interaction and emotional expression.
It reminds us that while our clocks may differ, our experience of moments connects us all.
Time in European Languages
- Spanish: Tiempo (tee-EM-po)
- French: Temps (tahm)
- German: Zeit (zite)
- Italian: Tempo (TEM-po)
- Portuguese: Tempo (TAME-po)
- Dutch: Tijd (taid)
- Swedish: Tid (teed)
Time in Native American Languages
- Navajo: Ałníí’ (ahl-NEE)
- Cherokee: ᎢᎦ – Iga (ee-gah)
- Lakota: Wí (wee)
- Hopi: Pööngay (pohn-gay)
- Ojibwe: Giziibiig (gih-ZEE-big)
- Shawnee: Káto (kaa-toh)
- Apache: Shi’ááh (shee-AH)
Time in Asian Languages
- Chinese (Mandarin): 时间 – Shíjiān (shir-jyen)
- Japanese: 時間 – Jikan (jee-kahn)
- Korean: 시간 – Sigan (shee-gan)
- Hindi: समय – Samay (suh-may)
- Thai: เวลา – Welaa (way-laa)
- Malay: Masa (mah-sah)
- Filipino: Oras (oh-ras)
Time in Middle Eastern Languages
- Arabic: وقت – Waqt (wak-t)
- Hebrew: זמן – Zman (z-mahn)
- Persian: زمان – Zaman (zah-mahn)
- Turkish: Zaman (zah-mahn)
- Kurdish: Dem (dem)
- Aramaic: Zabona (zah-boh-na)
- Pashto: وخت – Wakh (wahkh)
Time in African Languages
- Swahili: Wakati (wah-kah-tee)
- Zulu: Isikhathi (ee-see-kaht-hee)
- Amharic: ጊዜ – Gizé (gee-zay)
- Hausa: Lokaci (loh-kah-chee)
- Yoruba: Aago (ah-goh)
- Igbo: Oge (oh-geh)
- Somali: Waqti (wahk-tee)
Time in Indigenous Languages
- Maori (New Zealand): Wā (waa)
- Hawaiian: Manawa (mah-nah-wah)
- Inuktitut: ᐅᓂᒃ – Unik (oo-nik)
- Samoan: Taimi (ty-mee)
- Fijian: Gauna (gow-na)
- Ainu: Kunne (koon-neh)
- Tahitian: Taime (ty-meh)
Time in Iroquoian Language Family
- Mohawk: Tsi iontáhkwa (chee yon-TAH-kwa)
- Oneida: Łuwatso·t (loo-waht-soht)
- Onondaga: Tsiˀníhs (chee-nees)
- Seneca: Hëöwá:geh (hay-oh-WA-geh)
- Cayuga: Tsiˀnéh (chee-neh)
- Tuscarora: Tso·náh (tsoh-nah)
- Wyandot: Onahkwa (oh-nah-kwa)
Time in Plains Languages
- Comanche: Tamaa (tah-mah)
- Pawnee: Ruhkaru (roo-kah-roo)
- Crow: Biláapawa (bee-laa-pah-wah)
- Blackfoot: Ahsikoyi (ah-see-koh-yee)
- Cheyenne: Néhešéoná (neh-heh-sheh-oh-nah)
- Arapaho: Hinookóu (hee-noh-koo)
- Kiowa: Tāu (tah-oo)
Time in Southeastern Languages
- Creek: Vhayetv (v-ha-yeh-tuh)
- Choctaw: Hvshi (hah-shee)
- Seminole: Fayeti (fay-eh-tee)
- Catawba: Tówi (toh-wee)
- Chickasaw: Hoshki (hush-kee)
- Yuchi: Tē’na (tay-nah)
- Natchez: Owaali (oh-wah-lee)
Time in Northwestern Languages
- Tlingit: Gán (gahn)
- Haida: Skaaw (skow)
- Salish: Q’əmán (keh-mahn)
- Tsimshian: Gimasa (gee-mah-sah)
- Chinook: Taynum (tay-num)
- Nez Perce: Hisóox (hee-soo)
- Quileute: Ta’kaba (tah-kah-bah)
Time in Additional World Languages (15 languages)
- Esperanto: Tempo (tem-po)
- Latin: Tempus (tem-poos)
- Greek: Χρόνος – Khronos (khro-nos)
- Bengali: সময় – Shomoy (shaw-moy)
- Urdu: وقت – Waqt (wakt)
- Romanian: Timp (teemp)
- Hungarian: Idő (ee-duh)
- Albanian: Kohë (koh-uh)
- Serbian: Vreme (vreh-meh)
- Croatian: Vrijeme (vree-yeh-meh)
- Finnish: Aika (eye-kah)
- Icelandic: Tími (tee-mee)
- Welsh: Amser (am-ser)
- Basque: Denbora (den-bo-rah)
- Armenian: Ժամանակ – Zhamanak (zhah-mah-nak)
EXAMPLE SENTENCES SECTION
Examples of Using ‘Time’ in Sentences Across Languages
- Spanish: Tiempo — “El tiempo pasa rápido.”
Time moves fast. - French: Temps — “Le temps nous enseigne beaucoup.”
Time teaches us many things. - Arabic: Waqt — “الوقت ثمين جدًا.”
Time is very precious. - Hindi: Samay — “समय किसी का इंतज़ार नहीं करता।”
Time waits for no one. - Japanese: Jikan — “時間は大切に使うべきです。”
We should use time wisely. - Swahili: Wakati — “Wakati haujirudi.”
Time never comes back. - German: Zeit — “Zeit ist ein wertvolles Geschenk.”
Time is a valuable gift.
CULTURAL INSIGHTS SECTION
Cultural Meaning of ‘Time’ Around the World
Different cultures understand time in unique and beautiful ways.
Some societies, like Japan and Germany, emphasize precision and punctuality, treating time as a structured resource.
Others, such as many African and Latin American cultures, view time more fluidly, focusing on relationships and moments rather than strict schedules.
Indigenous cultures often see time as circular, linking past, present, and future as one interconnected journey.
Across the world, time carries emotional weight, symbolizing memories, hope, change, and the rhythm of life.
Conclusion
Learning time in different languages invites us to appreciate how humanity experiences its moments. Every translation reflects a culture’s heartbeat, values, and outlook on life.
By exploring these differences, we grow more connected, curious, and open to the beauty of global communication.
