Have You Ever Wondered How to Express the Concept of “Green” in Different Languages?
Whether you’re a nature lover, a traveler, or someone fascinated by languages, learning to say “green” worldwide can be refreshing and insightful.
This guide will help you discover translations, pronunciations, and cultural nuances associated with the word “green” in over 100 languages.
Why Understanding “Green” Matters

The word “green” signifies more than just a color; it often symbolizes nature, growth, fertility, renewal, and life across various cultures.
Expressing this concept in multiple languages enhances your vocabulary and deepens your appreciation for the universal significance of “green” in different societies.
Saying “Green” in European Languages

Western European Languages
- English: Green (pronounced green)
- French: Vert (pronounced vehr)
- German: Grün (pronounced groon)
- Spanish: Verde (pronounced BEHR-de)
- Italian: Verde (pronounced VEHR-deh)
- Portuguese: Verde (pronounced vehr-jeh)
- Dutch: Groen (pronounced hroon)
- Catalan: Verd (pronounced behrd)
Northern European Languages
- Swedish: Grön (pronounced grehn)
- Danish: Grøn (pronounced grun)
- Norwegian: Grønn (pronounced gruhn)
- Finnish: Vihreä (pronounced VIH-re-ah)
- Icelandic: Grænn (pronounced grayn)
Eastern European Languages
- Russian: Зелёный (pronounced zye-LYO-ny)
- Polish: Zielony (pronounced zheh-LOH-nee)
- Czech: Zelený (pronounced zeh-LEH-nee)
- Hungarian: Zöld (pronounced zuld)
- Slovak: Zelená (pronounced zeh-leh-NAH)
- Ukrainian: Зелений (pronounced zeh-LEH-nee)
- Bulgarian: Зелен (pronounced zeh-LEHN)
- Serbian: Зелено (pronounced zeh-LEH-noh)
Celtic Languages
- Irish Gaelic: Glas (pronounced glahs)
- Scottish Gaelic: Uaine (pronounced oo-AN-yuh)
- Welsh: Gwyrdd (pronounced gwirdh)
Other European Languages
- Basque: Berde (pronounced beh-reh)
- Maltese: Aħdar (pronounced AH-dar)
- Albanian: Gjelbër (pronounced jhel-burr)
Saying “Green” in Asian Languages

East Asian Languages
- Chinese (Simplified): 绿 (pronounced lǜ)
- Chinese (Traditional): 綠 (pronounced lǜ)
- Japanese: 緑 (pronounced midori)
- Korean: 초록색 (pronounced cho-rok-sek)
South Asian Languages
- Hindi: हरा (pronounced ha-RA)
- Bengali: সবুজ (pronounced shaw-booj)
- Tamil: பச்சை (pronounced pach-chai)
- Urdu: سبز (pronounced sabz)
- Punjabi: ਹਰਾ (pronounced ha-rah)
- Telugu: ఆకుపచ్చ (pronounced aa-ku-pach-cha)
- Gujarati: લીલો (pronounced lee-lo)
- Kannada: ಹಸಿರು (pronounced ha-si-roo)
Southeast Asian Languages
- Thai: เขียว (pronounced khee-ow)
- Vietnamese: Xanh lá cây (pronounced sahng la kay)
- Indonesian: Hijau (pronounced hee-jaw)
- Malay: Hijau (pronounced hee-jaw)
- Khmer (Cambodian): បៃតង (pronounced bai-tong)
- Burmese (Myanmar): အစိမ်း (pronounced ah-sein)
Central Asian Languages
- Kazakh: Жасыл (pronounced zha-sil)
- Uzbek: Yashil (pronounced yah-shil)
- Turkmen: Ýaşyl (pronounced yah-shul)
- Tajik: Сабз (pronounced sabz)
Saying “Green” in Middle-Eastern Languages

- Arabic: أخضر (pronounced akh-dar)
- Hebrew: ירוק (pronounced ya-rok)
- Persian (Farsi): سبز (pronounced sabz)
- Turkish: Yeşil (pronounced yeh-sheel)
- Kurdish (Sorani): سەوز (pronounced sawz)
Saying “Green” in African Languages

- Swahili: Kijani (pronounced kee-JAH-nee)
- Zulu: Luhlaza (pronounced loo-lah-za)
- Afrikaans: Groen (pronounced hroon)
- Amharic: አረንጓዴ (pronounced ah-ren-gwa-de)
- Yoruba: Alawọ ewe (pronounced ah-lah-wo eh-weh)
- Igbo: Ndụ (pronounced un-doo)
- Hausa: Kore (pronounced koh-reh)
- Somali: Cagaar (pronounced ah-gahr)
Saying “Green” in Austronesian Languages

- Filipino (Tagalog): Berde (pronounced behr-deh)
- Cebuano: Berde (pronounced behr-deh)
- Maori: Kākāriki (pronounced kah-kah-ree-kee)
- Hawaiian: Omaʻomaʻo (pronounced oh-mah-oh-mah-oh)
- Javanese: Ijo (pronounced ee-joh)
- Malagasy: Maitso (pronounced may-tsoo)
Saying “Green” in Indigenous Languages

Native American Languages
- Quechua: Q’omer (pronounced koh-mehr)
- Navajo: Dootł’izh (pronounced doo-tl-izh)
Australian Aboriginal Languages
- Pitjantjatjara: Uwaṟu (pronounced oo-wah-roo)
More Translations of GREEN in Different Languages

- Amharic (Ethiopia): አረንጓዴ (pronounced ah-ren-gwa-de)
- Georgian: მწვანე (pronounced mts-va-ne)
- Mongolian: Ногоон (pronounced noh-goon)
- Nepali: हरियो (pronounced ha-ree-yo)
- Sinhala (Sri Lanka): හරිත (pronounced ha-ree-tha)
- Xhosa (South Africa): Luhlaza (pronounced loo-lah-za)
- Estonian: Roheline (pronounced roh-he-lee-neh)
- Latvian: Zaļš (pronounced zalsh)
- Lithuanian: Žalias (pronounced zha-lee-as)
- Macedonian: Зелен (pronounced zeh-lehn)
- Slovenian: Zeleno (pronounced zeh-leh-no)
- Armenian: կանաչ (pronounced ka-nach)
- Galician: Verde (pronounced behr-de)
- Luxembourgish: Gréng (pronounced greng)
- Icelandic: Grænn (pronounced grayn)
- Malayalam (India): പച്ച (pronounced pach-cha)
- Tibetan: ལྗང (pronounced jang)
- Lao: ຂຽວ (pronounced khee-ow)
- Hmong: Ntsuab (pronounced en-swah)
- Burmese: အစိမ်း (pronounced ah-sein)
Pronunciation Guide and Cultural Insights

Understanding pronunciation helps convey respect and ensures effective communication.
Tips for Proper Pronunciation
- Listen and Repeat: Apps and resources with native speakers’ recordings are invaluable.
- Phonetic Spelling: Use the phonetic guide to approximate sounds accurately.
- Practice Regularly: Consistent practice solidifies correct pronunciation.
Cultural Significance
The color green represents various values and ideas across cultures.
- Symbol of Nature: Green represents life, growth, and balance in many cultures.
- Religious Symbolism: In Islam, green is symbolic of paradise and peace.
- Art and Literature: Green often evokes tranquility, renewal, and youth.
Translation, Meaning, and Usage in Sentences

Examples in Different Languages
- Portuguese
- Translation: Verde
- Meaning: Green
- Sentence: A grama é verde. (The grass is green.)
- Arabic
- Translation: أخضر
- Meaning: Green
- Sentence: السماء زرقاء والشجر أخضر. (The sky is blue, and the trees are green.)
- Hindi
- Translation: हरा
- Meaning: Green
- Sentence: पेड़ का पत्ता हरा है। (The leaf of the tree is green.)
The Importance of “Green” in Language and Culture

Green is widely associated with growth, health, and balance. Learning it in different languages highlights our world’s cultural and linguistic richness.
Tips for Learning New Vocabulary
- Contextual Learning: Use new words in sentences for better comprehension.
- Cultural Immersion: Engage with media in the target language to enhance understanding.
- Practice with Native Speakers: Boosts pronunciation and cultural context.
Conclusion
Exploring how to say “green” in different languages offers a glimpse into the values and perspectives of diverse cultures.
Learning “green” in multiple languages enriches cultural understanding and fosters global connections.
Let this knowledge “green up” your language skills as you explore the world’s languages and the symbolic meanings they bring.
Source: UNESCO Language Revitalization