wave

The Word “Wave”: Meaning, Usage, and Translations Across 30 Languages

The word “wave” is versatile, covering meanings from natural phenomena to human gestures. As a noun, it can describe the undulating movement of water, sound, or energy, or the act of moving one’s hand in greeting or farewell. As a verb, it involves the action of moving to and fro or signaling.


Meaning of “Wave”:

  1. As a Noun (Natural Phenomenon):
    • A ridge or swell moving through a medium like water, air, or sound.
      Example: “The waves crashed against the shore.”
  2. As a Noun (Gesture):
    • The motion of a hand or an object to signal or greet.
      Example: “She gave a friendly wave to her neighbor.”
  3. As a Verb (Signaling or Moving):
    • To move one’s hand or an object to signal or greet.
      Example: “He waved to the children playing outside.”
  4. As a Verb (Undulating Motion):
    • To move in a manner similar to waves.
      Example: “Her hair waved in the breeze.”
  5. Extended Meanings:
    • Refers to trends, surges, or movements, e.g., “a wave of excitement” or “a heatwave.”

Common Uses of “Wave” in Sentences:

  1. The surfer rode the biggest wave of the day.
  2. A gentle wave rippled across the lake’s surface.
  3. She waved goodbye to her friends from the window.
  4. The flag waved proudly in the wind.
  5. A wave of relief washed over him after hearing the good news.

Translations of “Wave” in 30 Languages

Language Translation Example Sentence
Spanish Ola / Onda La ola del mar golpeó la orilla con fuerza.
French Vague / Onde Une vague gigantesque s’est écrasée sur les rochers.
German Welle Die Welle trug den Surfer ans Ufer.
Italian Onda Le onde del mare erano altissime.
Portuguese Onda Uma grande onda atingiu a praia.
Dutch Golf / Gebaar Hij groette met een kleine golf van zijn hand.
Russian Волна (Volna) Волны били о берег с большой силой.
Chinese (Simplified) 波浪 (Bōlàng) 大海掀起了巨大的波浪。
Japanese 波 (Nami) 彼は波に乗ってサーフィンを楽しんでいた。
Korean 파도 (Pado) 그는 파도 위에서 서핑을 했다.
Hindi लहर (Lahar) समुद्र की लहरें किनारे से टकरा रही थीं।
Bengali ঢেউ (Dheu) সমুদ্রের ঢেউ তীরের দিকে ধাবিত হচ্ছিল।
Turkish Dalga Büyük bir dalga sahile vurdu.
Greek Κύμα (Kýma) Το κύμα έφτασε στην ακτή με δύναμη.
Hebrew גל (Gal) הגלים התנפצו על החוף.
Swedish Våg En stor våg slog mot klipporna.
Norwegian Bølge En bølge skyllet inn over stranden.
Danish Bølge Bølgerne ramte kysten hårdt.
Finnish Aalto Meren aallot kohisivat rantaan.
Polish Fala Fala uderzyła o skały z wielką siłą.
Czech Vlna Vlna se převalila přes pláž.
Hungarian Hullám A hullámok erővel csaptak a partra.
Romanian Val Un val mare a lovit țărmul.
Thai คลื่น (Khlụ̄̀n) คลื่นลูกใหญ่ซัดเข้าหาฝั่ง.
Vietnamese Sóng Con sóng đánh vào bờ mạnh mẽ.
Indonesian Ombak Ombak besar menghantam pantai.
Malay Ombak Ombak tinggi melanda pantai.
Swahili Wimbi Wimbi kubwa lilipiga ufukweni.
Filipino Alon / Kaway Ang alon ay bumalot sa dalampasigan.
Arabic موجة (Mawjah) ضربت الموجة الشاطئ بقوة.

Additional Examples:

  1. Spanish:
    • “Ella saludó con una ola de la mano.”
    • “Las olas grandes son perfectas para surfear.”
  2. French:
    • “Il a fait signe avec un petit geste de la main.”
    • “Les vagues étaient très hautes aujourd’hui.”
  3. German:
    • “Die Wellenbewegung im Wasser war hypnotisierend.”
    • “Er winkte zum Abschied.”
  4. Japanese:
    • “彼女は友達に手を振った。”
    • “波のリズムが心を落ち着かせる。”
  5. Arabic:
    • “لوّح بيده مودعًا أصدقاءه.”
    • “كانت الموجة قوية بما يكفي لقلب القارب.”

Waves, whether literal or metaphorical, symbolize motion, energy, and connection. From the soothing sound of ocean waves to the emotional waves we feel in life, this word captures diverse experiences and enriches communication across languages.

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