war - Meaning, Usage, and Translations Across 30 Languages

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

The word “war” is one of the most impactful terms in any language, evoking images of conflict, struggle, and, at times, resolution. This article explores its meaning, usage in various contexts, and translations across 30 languages to showcase its global relevance.

Meaning of “War”

Primary Definition:
- A state of armed conflict between different countries, groups, or factions, often involving significant violence and destruction.
Secondary Definitions:
- A sustained effort or campaign against something: “a war on poverty.”
- Metaphorically, internal or personal struggles: “a war within oneself.”
Etymology:
- Originates from Old English “werre” and Old High German “werra,” meaning “confusion” or “strife.”

Common Usages in Context

Military Context:
- “World War II shaped the history of the 20th century.”
Political Context:
- “The war on drugs has been a global effort.”
Personal Struggles:
- “He fought an internal war to overcome his fears.”
Metaphorical Use:
- “The company declared war on inefficiency.”

Translations of “War” in 30 Languages

Language	Translation	Example
Spanish	Guerra	“La guerra dejó un impacto duradero en el país.”
French	Guerre	“La guerre a détruit plusieurs villes.”
German	Krieg	“Der Krieg hat Millionen von Menschen betroffen.”
Italian	Guerra	“La guerra ha causato molta sofferenza.”
Portuguese	Guerra	“A guerra trouxe destruição à região.”
Dutch	Oorlog	“De oorlog heeft vele levens geëist.”
Russian	Война (Voyna)	“Война разрушила тысячи домов.”
Chinese (Simplified)	战争 (Zhànzhēng)	“战争摧毁了许多家庭。”
Japanese	戦争 (Sensō)	“戦争は多くの命を奪いました。”
Korean	전쟁 (Jeonjaeng)	“전쟁은 많은 고통을 가져왔다.”
Hindi	युद्ध (Yuddh)	“युद्ध ने हजारों घरों को नष्ट कर दिया।”
Bengali	যুদ্ধ (Judhho)	“যুদ্ধ অনেক প্রাণ কেড়ে নিয়েছে।”
Turkish	Savaş	“Savaş birçok hayatı mahvetti.”
Greek	Πόλεμος (Pólemos)	“Ο πόλεμος κατέστρεψε πολλές οικογένειες.”
Hebrew	מלחמה (Milchama)	“המלחמה הביאה סבל רב.”
Swedish	Krig	“Kriget har påverkat många generationer.”
Norwegian	Krig	“Krig har ført til store lidelser.”
Danish	Krig	“Krig har ødelagt mange familier.”
Finnish	Sota	“Sota tuhosi monia koteja.”
Polish	Wojna	“Wojna przyniosła wiele cierpień.”
Czech	Válka	“Válka způsobila velké utrpení.”
Hungarian	Háború	“A háború sok áldozatot követelt.”
Romanian	Război	“Războiul a distrus multe vieți.”
Thai	สงคราม (Songkhram)	“สงครามทำลายครอบครัวจำนวนมาก.”
Vietnamese	Chiến tranh	“Chiến tranh đã gây ra nhiều đau thương.”
Indonesian	Perang	“Perang menghancurkan banyak kehidupan.”
Malay	Perang	“Perang membawa banyak penderitaan.”
Swahili	Vita	“Vita vilisababisha uharibifu mkubwa.”
Filipino	Digmaan	“Ang digmaan ay sumira ng maraming buhay.”
Arabic	حرب (Harb)	“الحرب دمرت العديد من الأسر.”
Estonian	Sõda	“Sõda hävitas palju kodusid.”

Additional Examples in Selected Languages

French:
- “La guerre civile a duré dix ans.”
- “Ils ont déclaré la guerre à la pauvreté.”
German:
- “Der Krieg hinterließ Narben auf dem Land.”
- “Ein Krieg gegen die Ignoranz ist notwendig.”
Spanish:
- “La guerra civil dividió al país.”
- “Estamos en guerra contra la injusticia.”
Chinese (Simplified):
- “战争让许多人流离失所。”
- “这场战争持续了十年。”
Arabic:
- “الحرب تسببت في أضرار لا يمكن إصلاحها.”
- “هناك حرب مستمرة ضد الفساد.”

The word “war” reflects humanity’s history, struggles, and aspirations for peace. Despite its grim connotations, it often serves as a reminder of the resilience, unity, and hope that emerge in its aftermath.