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”:
- 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.”
- A ridge or swell moving through a medium like water, air, or sound.
- 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.”
- The motion of a hand or an object to signal or greet.
- 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.”
- To move one’s hand or an object to signal or greet.
- As a Verb (Undulating Motion):
- To move in a manner similar to waves.
Example: “Her hair waved in the breeze.”
- To move in a manner similar to waves.
- Extended Meanings:
- Refers to trends, surges, or movements, e.g., “a wave of excitement” or “a heatwave.”
Common Uses of “Wave” in Sentences:
- The surfer rode the biggest wave of the day.
- A gentle wave rippled across the lake’s surface.
- She waved goodbye to her friends from the window.
- The flag waved proudly in the wind.
- 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:
- Spanish:
- “Ella saludó con una ola de la mano.”
- “Las olas grandes son perfectas para surfear.”
- French:
- “Il a fait signe avec un petit geste de la main.”
- “Les vagues étaient très hautes aujourd’hui.”
- German:
- “Die Wellenbewegung im Wasser war hypnotisierend.”
- “Er winkte zum Abschied.”
- 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。”
- 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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