Do you need to express the concept of “heart” in different languages? We got you!
Whether you’re a language enthusiast, a traveler, or someone keen on understanding diverse cultures, learning to say “heart” across the globe can be enlightening and useful.
This comprehensive guide will help you discover translations, pronunciations, and cultural nuances associated with the word “heart” in over 100 languages.
Why Understanding “Heart” Matters

The word “heart” goes beyond its anatomical meaning; it often symbolizes love, emotion, courage, and life in cultures worldwide.
Learning to express this concept in multiple languages broadens your linguistic skills and deepens your appreciation for the universal importance of the heart in human societies.
Saying “Heart” in European Languages

Western European Languages
- English: Heart (pronounced hart)
- French: Cœur (pronounced kur)
- German: Herz (pronounced herts)
- Spanish: Corazón (pronounced koh-rah-SON)
- Italian: Cuore (pronounced KWO-reh)
- Portuguese: Coração (pronounced koh-rah-SOWN)
- Dutch: Hart (pronounced hart)
- Catalan: Cor (pronounced kor)
Northern European Languages
- Swedish: Hjärta (pronounced YER-ta)
- Danish: Hjerte (pronounced YER-teh)
- Norwegian: Hjerte (pronounced YER-teh)
- Finnish: Sydän (pronounced soo-dahn)
- Icelandic: Hjarta (pronounced HYAR-ta)
Eastern European Languages
- Russian: Сердце (pronounced SYERT-se)
- Polish: Serce (pronounced SERT-se)
- Czech: Srdce (pronounced SRD-se)
- Hungarian: Szív (pronounced seev)
- Slovak: Srdce (pronounced SRD-se)
- Ukrainian: Серце (pronounced SER-tse)
- Bulgarian: Сърце (pronounced sŭr-TSE)
- Serbian: Срце (pronounced SR-tse)
Celtic Languages
- Irish Gaelic: Croí (pronounced kree)
- Scottish Gaelic: Cridhe (pronounced kree-ya)
- Welsh: Calon (pronounced KA-lon)
Other European Languages
- Basque: Bihotz (pronounced bee-OTS)
- Maltese: Qalb (pronounced kalb)
- Albanian: Zemër (pronounced ZEH-mer)
Saying “Heart” in Asian Languages

East Asian Languages
- Chinese (Simplified): 心 (pronounced xīn)
- Chinese (Traditional): 心 (pronounced xīn)
- Japanese: 心 (pronounced kokoro)
- Korean: 마음 (pronounced ma-eum)
South Asian Languages
- Hindi: दिल (pronounced dil)
- Bengali: হৃদয় (pronounced hri-doe)
- Tamil: இதயம் (pronounced i-tha-yam)
- Urdu: دل (pronounced dil)
- Punjabi: ਦਿਲ (pronounced dil)
- Telugu: హృదయం (pronounced hru-da-yam)
- Gujarati: હૃદય (pronounced hru-da-y)
- Kannada: ಹೃದಯ (pronounced hru-da-ya)
Southeast Asian Languages
- Thai: หัวใจ (pronounced hua-jai)
- Vietnamese: Trái tim (pronounced chai tim)
- Indonesian: Hati (pronounced hah-tee)
- Malay: Hati (pronounced hah-tee)
- Khmer (Cambodian): បេះដូង (pronounced beh-doong)
- Burmese (Myanmar): နှလုံး (pronounced hna-lone)
Central Asian Languages
- Kazakh: Жүрек (pronounced zhu-rek)
- Uzbek: Yurak (pronounced yoo-rak)
- Turkmen: Ýürek (pronounced yü-rek)
- Tajik: Дил (pronounced dil)
Saying “Heart” in Middle-Eastern Languages

- Arabic: قلب (pronounced qalb)
- Hebrew: לב (pronounced lev)
- Persian (Farsi): قلب (pronounced ghalb)
- Turkish: Kalp (pronounced kalp)
- Kurdish (Sorani): دڵ (pronounced dl)
Saying “Heart” in African Languages

- Swahili: Moyo (pronounced moh-yo)
- Zulu: Inhliziyo (pronounced in-hlee-zee-yo)
- Afrikaans: Hart (pronounced hart)
- Amharic: ልብ (pronounced lib)
- Yoruba: Ọkan (pronounced aw-kan)
- Igbo: Obi (pronounced oh-bee)
- Hausa: Zuciya (pronounced zoo-chee-ya)
- Somali: Wadnaha (pronounced wad-na-ha)
Saying “Heart” in Austronesian Languages

- Filipino (Tagalog): Puso (pronounced poo-so)
- Cebuano: Kasingkasing (pronounced ka-sing-ka-sing)
- Maori: Ngākau (pronounced nga-ka-oo)
- Hawaiian: Puʻuwai (pronounced poo-oo-wai)
- Javanese: Ati (pronounced ah-tee)
- Malagasy: Fo (pronounced foo)
Saying “Heart” in Indigenous Languages

Native American Languages
- Quechua: Sonqo (pronounced son-koh)
- Navajo: Béésh (pronounced beh-esh)
Australian Aboriginal Languages
- Pitjantjatjara: Kuḻu (pronounced koo-loo)
More Translations of HEART in Different Languages

- Amharic (Ethiopia): ልብ (pronounced lib)
- Georgian: გული (pronounced goo-lee)
- Mongolian: Зүрх (pronounced zürkh)
- Nepali: मुटु (pronounced moo-too)
- Sinhala (Sri Lanka): හදවත (pronounced ha-da-wa-tha)
- Xhosa (South Africa): Intliziyo (pronounced in-lee-zee-yo)
- Estonian: Süda (pronounced syoo-da)
- Latvian: Sirds (pronounced seerds)
- Lithuanian: Širdis (pronounced sheer-dis)
- Macedonian: Срце (pronounced sr-tse)
- Slovenian: Srce (pronounced sr-tse)
- Armenian: սիրտ (pronounced sirt)
- Galician: Corazón (pronounced koh-rah-SON)
- Luxembourgish: Häerz (pronounced hairts)
Pronunciation Guide and Cultural Insights

Understanding pronunciation is key to learning a new word in another language, and it reflects respect and appreciation for the culture.
Tips for Proper Pronunciation
- Listen and Repeat: Use language apps or online resources to hear native speakers pronounce the word.
- Phonetic Spelling: Follow the phonetic guides provided to help approximate the sounds.
- Practice Regularly: Repetition helps with accurate pronunciation.
Cultural Significance
The concept of “heart” holds profound symbolic meanings across different societies:
- Love and Emotion: The heart is a universal symbol of love and compassion.
- Courage and Strength: Many cultures see the heart as the source of bravery.
- Unity: The heart is often associated with oneness and empathy.
Translation, Meaning, and Usage in Sentences

Examples in Different Languages
French
- Translation: Cœur
- Meaning: Heart
- Sentence: Elle a un grand cœur. (She has a big heart.)
Russian
- Translation: Сердце
- Meaning: Heart
- Sentence: Он чувствовал боль в сердце. (He felt pain in his heart.)
Swahili
- Translation: Moyo
- Meaning: Heart
- Sentence: Moyo wake ni safi. (His heart is pure.)
Arabic
- Translation: قلب
- Meaning: Heart
- Sentence: لديها قلب طيب. (She has a kind heart.)
Hindi
- Translation: दिल
- Meaning: Heart
- Sentence: उसका दिल बड़ा है। (His heart is big.)
The Importance of “Heart” in Language and Culture

Symbolism and Beliefs
The heart is often associated with love, bravery, and unity.
- Love and Compassion: The heart strongly symbolises emotion and connection across cultures.
- Strength and Courage: It symbolizes bravery, courage, and personal strength.
- Community Bond: Many societies see the heart as a metaphor for togetherness and empathy.
Linguistic Diversity
Learning to say “heart” in different languages celebrates the richness of our world’s linguistic landscape.
Tips for Learning New Vocabulary
- Contextual Learning: Use new words in sentences to deepen understanding.
- Cultural Immersion: Engage with content in the target language.
- Practice with Native Speakers: This improves both pronunciation and cultural understanding.
Conclusion
Exploring how to say “heart” in different languages goes beyond vocabulary; it’s a cultural journey.
Each translation carries its nuances, reflecting the values and worldview of its speakers. By learning these variations, we embrace diversity and enrich our understanding of humanity.
How to express “heart” enhances your connections with others, whether in travel, friendship, or linguistic study.
Source: University of Ottawa – School of Translation and Interpretation