Are you wondering what JANUARY is in different languages?

Let’s learn how to say JANUARY in different languages together!

The first month of the year, January, holds significance in cultures around the globe, marking new beginnings and fresh resolutions.

Learning to say “January” in various languages broadens our vocabulary and deepens our appreciation for the diversity of global traditions and calendars. Below is a fascinating list of how to express “January” in different languages.

Why Learning “January” in Different Languages Matters

“January” symbolizes new beginnings, resolutions, and the promise of a fresh start.

Learning to say “January” in different languages can enhance your cultural understanding and help you connect with people from diverse backgrounds as you explore how this month is celebrated worldwide.

Saying “January” in European Languages

Western European Languages

  • French: Janvier (pronounced zhahn-VYAY)
  • German: Januar (pronounced YAH-noo-ahr)
  • Spanish: Enero (pronounced eh-NEH-roh)
  • Italian: Gennaio (pronounced jeh-NIE-oh)
  • Portuguese: Janeiro (pronounced zhah-NEH-roh)
  • Dutch: Januari (pronounced YAH-noo-ah-ree)
  • Catalan: Gener (pronounced zhuh-NEHR)

Northern European Languages

  • Swedish: Januari (pronounced yah-noo-AH-ree)
  • Danish: Januar (pronounced YAH-noo-ar)
  • Norwegian: Januar (pronounced YAH-noo-ar)
  • Finnish: Tammikuu (pronounced TAM-mee-koo)
  • Icelandic: Janúar (pronounced YAH-noo-ar)

Eastern European Languages

  • Russian: Январь (pronounced yan-VAR’)
  • Polish: Styczeń (pronounced STIH-chen)
  • Czech: Leden (pronounced LEH-den)
  • Hungarian: Január (pronounced YAH-noo-ar)
  • Ukrainian: Січень (pronounced SEE-chen’)

Celtic Languages

  • Irish Gaelic: Eanáir (pronounced AH-nir)
  • Scottish Gaelic: Am Faoilleach (pronounced um FOH-lach)
  • Welsh: Ionawr (pronounced YO-nawr)

Other European Languages

  • Basque: Urtarrila (pronounced oor-tah-REE-lah)
  • Maltese: Jannar (pronounced JAN-ar)
  • Albanian: Janar (pronounced YAH-nar)

Saying “January” in Asian Languages

East Asian Languages

  • Chinese (Simplified): 一月 (pronounced yī yuè)
  • Chinese (Traditional): 一月 (pronounced yī yuè)
  • Japanese: 一月 (pronounced ichigatsu)
  • Korean: 일월 (pronounced il-wol)

South Asian Languages

  • Hindi: जनवरी (pronounced janavaree)
  • Bengali: জানুয়ারি (pronounced januari)
  • Tamil: ஜனவரி (pronounced janavari)
  • Urdu: جنوری (pronounced janwari)
  • Punjabi: ਜਨਵਰੀ (pronounced janavari)
  • Telugu: జనవరి (pronounced janavari)
  • Gujarati: જાન્યુઆરી (pronounced janyooari)
  • Kannada: ಜನವರಿ (pronounced janavari)

Southeast Asian Languages

  • Thai: มกราคม (pronounced mok-karah-kom)
  • Vietnamese: Tháng Một (pronounced tang mot)
  • Indonesian: Januari (pronounced jan-oo-ah-ree)
  • Malay: Januari (pronounced jan-oo-ah-ree)
  • Khmer (Cambodian): មករា (pronounced mo-kah-rah)

Central Asian Languages

  • Kazakh: Қаңтар (pronounced kang-tar)
  • Uzbek: Yanvar (pronounced yan-var)
  • Turkmen: Ýanwar (pronounced yan-war)
  • Tajik: Январ (pronounced yan-var)

Saying “January” in Middle-Eastern Languages

Arabic:يناير (pronounced yanayir)

Hebrew:ינואר (pronounced yan-u-ar)

Persian (Farsi):ژانویه (pronounced zhah-noo-yeh)

Turkish:Ocak (pronounced oh-jak)

Kurdish (Sorani):ڕێبەندان (pronounced reh-behn-dan)

Saying “January” in African Languages

Swahili

  • Translation: Januari
  • Pronunciation: jah-noo-ah-ree

Zulu

  • Translation: uJanuwari
  • Pronunciation: oo-jah-noo-wah-ree

Afrikaans

Amharic

  • Translation: ጥር
  • Pronunciation: T’ir (approximated as tih-r)

Yoruba

  • Translation: Oṣù Kínní
  • Pronunciation: aw-shoo kee-nee

Igbo

  • Translation: Jenụwarị
  • Pronunciation: jeh-noo-wah-ree

Hausa

  • Translation: Janairu
  • Pronunciation: jah-nai-roo

Somali

  • Translation: Janaayo
  • Pronunciation: jah-nah-yo

Saying “January” in Austronesian Languages

Filipino (Tagalog):Enero (pronounced eh-NEH-roh)

Cebuano:Enero (pronounced eh-NEH-roh)

Maori:Hānuere (pronounced hah-noo-eh-reh)

Hawaiian:Ianuali (pronounced ee-ah-noo-ah-lee)

Javanese:Januari (pronounced jah-noo-ah-ree)Malagasy:Janoary (pronounced jah-noo-ah-ree)

Saying “January” in Indigenous Languages

Native American Languages

  • Quechua: Iniru (pronounced ee-nee-roo)
  • Navajo: Tʼą́ą́tsohí (pronounced tʼah-ah-tsoh-hee)

Australian Aboriginal Languages

  • Pitjantjatjara: Inyuwala (pronounced een-yoo-wah-lah)

More Translations of JANUARY in Different Languages

African and Middle Eastern Languages

  • Amharic (Ethiopia): ጥር (pronounced tir)
  • Arabic: يناير (pronounced yanayir)
  • Hebrew: ינואר (pronounced yan-u-ar)
  • Persian (Farsi): ژانویه (pronounced zhah-noo-yeh)
  • Swahili: Januari (pronounced jah-noo-ah-ree)
  • Zulu: uJanuwari (pronounced oo-jah-noo-wah-ree)
  • Hausa: Janairu (pronounced jah-nay-roo)
  • Somali: Jannaayo (pronounced jan-nah-yoh)

Central and South Asian Languages

  • Georgian: იანვარი (pronounced yan-var-ee)
  • Mongolian: Нэгдүгээр сар (pronounced neg-dug-yer sar)
  • Nepali: जनवरी (pronounced janavari)
  • Sinhala (Sri Lanka): ජනවාරි (pronounced janawari)
  • Hindi: जनवरी (pronounced janavari)
  • Bengali: জানুয়ারি (pronounced januari)
  • Tamil: ஜனவரி (pronounced janavari)
  • Telugu: జనవరి (pronounced janavari)
  • Gujarati: જાન્યુઆરી (pronounced janyooari)
  • Kannada: ಜನವರಿ (pronounced janavari)

European Languages

  • French: Janvier (pronounced zhahn-vyay)
  • German: Januar (pronounced yah-noo-ahr)
  • Spanish: Enero (pronounced eh-neh-roh)
  • Italian: Gennaio (pronounced jeh-nie-oh)
  • Portuguese: Janeiro (pronounced zhah-neh-roh)
  • Dutch: Januari (pronounced yah-noo-ah-ree)
  • Russian: Январь (pronounced yan-var’)
  • Polish: Styczeń (pronounced stih-chen’)
  • Czech: Leden (pronounced leh-den)

East and Southeast Asian Languages

  • Chinese (Simplified): 一月 (pronounced yī yuè)
  • Chinese (Traditional): 一月 (pronounced yī yuè)
  • Japanese: 一月 (pronounced ichigatsu)
  • Korean: 일월 (pronounced il-wol)
  • Vietnamese: Tháng Một (pronounced tang mot)
  • Indonesian: Januari (pronounced jah-noo-ah-ree)
  • Thai: มกราคม (pronounced mok-karah-kom)
  • Khmer (Cambodian): មករា (pronounced mok-kah-rah)

Pacific and Native American Languages

  • Filipino (Tagalog): Enero (pronounced eh-neh-roh)
  • Maori: Hānuere (pronounced hah-noo-eh-reh)
  • Hawaiian: Ianuali (pronounced ee-ah-noo-ah-lee)
  • Quechua: Kapak Raymi (used for January, pronounced kah-pahk rye-mee)
  • Navajo: Tʼą́ą́tsohí (pronounced tʼah-ah-tsoh-hee)

Additional Languages

  • Kazakh: Қаңтар (pronounced kang-tar)
  • Uzbek: Yanvar (pronounced yan-var)
  • Turkish: Ocak (pronounced oh-jak)
  • Kurdish (Sorani): ڕێبەندان (pronounced reh-behn-dan)

Pronunciation Guide and Cultural Insights

Tips for Proper Pronunciation of “January”

  1. Listen and Repeat: Use language learning apps or online platforms to hear native speakers pronounce “January” in different languages. Pay attention to the nuances of pronunciation.
  2. Use Phonetic Spelling: Refer to the phonetic spelling for clarity, such as: /ˈdʒæn.ju.ɛr.i/ (English) or the specific phonetic spellings provided for other languages.
  3. Practice Regularly: Regularly practicing the word in sentences will enhance your pronunciation and boost your confidence.

Cultural Significance of “January”

1. New Beginnings:
In many cultures, January represents a fresh start, often associated with New Year’s resolutions, goal setting, and renewal of hope.

2. Seasonal Importance:
The cultural meaning of January can vary based on geographical location. For example:

  • In the Northern Hemisphere, it symbolizes the heart of winter and is associated with introspection and planning.
  • In the Southern Hemisphere, it often represents summer, relaxation, and outdoor activities.

3. Traditions and Celebrations:

  • In Western cultures, January 1st marks the New Year and is celebrated with festivities.
  • Some cultures have unique festivals, like Orthodox Christmas (January 7) or Chinese New Year, which occasionally falls in late January.

4. Symbolic Transition:
January, named after the Roman god Janus, symbolizes transitions and looking both backward and forward—into the past and the future.

Usage Examples in Different Languages

Spanish

  • Translation: Enero
  • Sentence: Enero es el mes más frío del año. (January is the coldest month of the year.)

French

  • Translation: Janvier
  • Sentence: Janvier est le mois des nouvelles résolutions. (January is the month of new resolutions.)

Russian

  • Translation: Январь (pronounced yan-var’)
  • Sentence: Январь – это начало нового года. (January is the beginning of a new year.)

Swahili

  • Translation: Januari
  • Sentence: Januari ni mwanzo wa mwaka mpya. (January is the start of a new year.)

Arabic

  • Translation: يناير (pronounced yanayir)
  • Sentence: يناير هو الشهر الأول في السنة. (January is the first month of the year.)

Hindi

  • Translation: जनवरी (pronounced janavari)
  • Sentence: जनवरी में सर्दी बहुत होती है। (It is very cold in January.)

Final Thoughts

Learning how “January” is expressed in various languages reveals universal new beginnings and renewal themes.

Each translation reflects a shared recognition of this month’s significance as a time for fresh starts and resolutions while showcasing unique cultural perspectives on the seasons and traditions.

Understanding these linguistic and cultural nuances can deepen your connections with diverse communities and enrich your appreciation of global traditions.

Embrace these translations to expand your cultural knowledge and celebrate the symbolic importance of January across the world.

Happy Learning!

Reference: Stanford University Linguistics Department

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