Life is one of the most meaningful words in any language. It represents existence, emotions, growth, and the human journey itself. Learning how to say life in other languages helps you understand cultures, communicate globally, and add depth to language learning.
In this guide, you’ll discover how to say life in different languages, with correct native words and easy English pronunciations. This article is designed for learners, travelers, writers, students, and anyone curious about how the word life is expressed around the world.
Life in Other Languages – 100 Translations Worldwide
The table below shows life in all languages, including native spelling and simple pronunciation. It is clean, mobile-friendly, and optimized for quick understanding.
| Language / Flag | Native Word for Life | Easy Pronunciation |
| English | Life | lyf |
| Spanish | Vida | vee-dah |
| French | Vie | vee |
| German | Leben | lay-ben |
| Italian | Vita | vee-tah |
| Portuguese | Vida | vee-dah |
| Dutch | Leven | lay-ven |
| Swedish | Liv | leev |
| Norwegian | Liv | leev |
| Danish | Liv | leev |
| Finnish | Elämä | eh-lah-mah |
| Icelandic | Líf | leef |
| Irish | Saol | seel |
| Welsh | Bywyd | buu-id |
| Polish | Życie | zhi-che |
| Czech | Život | zhee-vot |
| Slovak | Život | zhee-vot |
| Hungarian | Élet | ay-let |
| Romanian | Viață | vee-ah-tsa |
| Bulgarian | Живот | zhee-vot |
| Serbian | Живот | zhee-vot |
| Croatian | Život | zhee-vot |
| Slovenian | Življenje | zhee-vlen-ye |
| Russian | Жизнь | zhizn |
| Ukrainian | Життя | zhit-tya |
| Belarusian | Жыццё | zhyt-syo |
| Greek | Ζωή | zo-ee |
| Turkish | Hayat | ha-yat |
| Arabic | حياة | ha-yaat |
| Hebrew | חיים | kha-yeem |
| Persian | زندگی | zen-deh-gi |
| Urdu | زندگی | zind-gi |
| Hindi | जीवन | jee-van |
| Bengali | জীবন | jee-bon |
| Punjabi | ਜੀਵਨ | jee-van |
| Gujarati | જીવન | jee-van |
| Marathi | जीवन | jee-van |
| Tamil | வாழ்க்கை | vaazh-kai |
| Telugu | జీవితం | jee-vi-tam |
| Kannada | ಜೀವನ | jee-va-na |
| Malayalam | ജീവിതം | jee-vi-tam |
| Sinhala | ජීවිතය | jee-vi-ta-ya |
| Nepali | जीवन | jee-wan |
| Thai | ชีวิต | chee-wit |
| Lao | ຊີວິດ | chee-vit |
| Khmer | ជីវិត | jee-vit |
| Vietnamese | Cuộc sống | kwok song |
| Indonesian | Hidup | hee-doop |
| Malay | Hidup | hee-doop |
| Filipino | Buhay | boo-hai |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 生命 | sheng-ming |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 生命 | sheng-ming |
| Japanese | 生命 | se-mei |
| Korean | 삶 | sahm |
| Mongolian | Амьдрал | am-dral |
| Tibetan | ཚེ | tse |
| Burmese | ဘဝ | ba-wa |
| Kazakh | Өмір | uh-meer |
| Uzbek | Hayot | ha-yot |
| Turkmen | Durmuş | dur-moosh |
| Azerbaijani | Həyat | ha-yat |
| Georgian | სიცოცხლე | see-tsots-khle |
| Armenian | Կյանք | kyank |
| Albanian | Jetë | yet-uh |
| Estonian | Elu | eh-loo |
| Latvian | Dzīve | dzee-veh |
| Lithuanian | Gyvenimas | ghee-veh-nee-mas |
| Swahili | Maisha | my-sha |
| Zulu | Impilo | im-pee-lo |
| Xhosa | Ubomi | oo-bo-mee |
| Afrikaans | Lewe | lee-vuh |
| Hausa | Rayuwa | ra-yu-wa |
| Yoruba | Ìyè | ee-ye |
| Igbo | Ndụ | nn-doo |
| Somali | Nolol | no-lol |
| Amharic | ሕይወት | hi-wet |
| Maori | Ora | or-ah |
| Hawaiian | Ola | oh-lah |
| Samoan | Ola | oh-lah |
| Tongan | Moʻui | mo-oo-ee |
| Fijian | Bula | boo-lah |
| Haitian Creole | Lavi | la-vee |
Why Learn “Life” in Different Languages
Understanding life translations is useful for many reasons.
It helps language learners build vocabulary faster.
It improves cultural awareness and global communication.
It’s valuable for writers, tattoo meanings, quotes, and education.
It allows travelers to connect more deeply with locals.
The word life often carries philosophical, emotional, and spiritual meaning across cultures.
How to Say Life in Different Languages
When learning how to say life in different languages, focus on three things.
Native spelling shows how the word is written.
Pronunciation helps you speak naturally.
Cultural usage explains meaning beyond translation.
Some languages use one word for biological life, while others use different words for lifestyle, soul, or existence.
Life Around the World – Cultural Meaning
Across the world, the meaning of life varies by culture.
In Eastern cultures, life often emphasizes balance and harmony.
In Western cultures, it may represent purpose and individuality.
In African languages, life is strongly connected to community.
In Indigenous cultures, life is closely tied to nature and ancestry.
These variations make learning life in other languages even more meaningful.
Conclusion
Life is a universal concept, yet every language expresses it uniquely. Learning how to say life in other languages opens the door to cultural understanding, communication, and global awareness. Whether you’re studying languages, traveling, writing, or simply curious, these translations show how life connects humanity worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common translation of life worldwide?
Most languages translate life similarly to meanings like existence, living, or being, such as vida, vie, and leben.
How many languages have a word for life?
Every known language has at least one word representing life, though meanings and usage may differ.
Is the meaning of life the same in all languages?
No. While the base meaning is similar, cultural beliefs strongly influence interpretation.
What language has the shortest word for life?
Languages like Chinese and Hawaiian use very short forms such as 生命 and Ola.
Why do some languages have multiple words for life?
Some languages separate physical life, spiritual life, and lifestyle into different terms.