Words with no frontiers

A handful of words barely change across languages. Can you guess them?

Image: Tridindia

Every now and then, language brings us together. You can be pardoned for not knowing how to order dinner in Finnish or Dutch. But, most likely, any human will understand you if you say "pizza." Something similar would happen if you were trying to stop a "taxi", or if you were offered "chocolate." Can you guess these 15 words that are practically the same across languages?

Image: Stefany Andrade

Music is the language of the soul, and apparently, of many tongues too. It traces back to the Greek mousikē, meaning "art of the Muses." The Romans borrowed it as musica, and, just like a catchy tune, it spread.

For example, in Italian, it’s still musica, and in Spanish it’s música. In French, musique, in Turkish müzik, and in Japanese ミュージック (myūjikku).

Image: Etienne Martin

This word comes from the Old Italian banca, meaning "bench," because medieval moneylenders did their business on benches in marketplaces. If they failed, their bench was broken—hence bancarotta, or "bankruptcy."

In French, it’s banque, in Spanish banco, in Italian banca, and in German Bank. Even the Dutch stick with bank. A word so universal, you could call it… currency.

Image: Lexi Anderson

The good news is you will have no problem calling a taxi in several countries. How much they’ll charge you, however, will vary.

This word is short for taximeter, from the French taximètre, which itself comes from the Latin taxa (a "charge" or "fee").

In German, it’s Taxi, in Russian такси (taksi), in Indonesian taksi, and in Finnish, taksi. The French, ever stylish, also call it taxi too.

Image: Paolo Nicolello

This one is just as convenient. The word "hotel" comes from the French hôtel, which originally meant a mansion or townhouse, derived from the Latin hospitale (a place for guests).

It seems like the whole world agreed on the global concept of "mi casa es su casa." For example, in Italian, Indonesian, and Spanish, it’s hotel, in Turkish otel.

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The internet —the modern-day agora. Of course, it’s a recent term, one that transported itself until it became a universal word. As a result, the versions for it don’t vary much across the board.

It’s short for "interconnected networks", a term born in the 1970s. In German, it’s Internet, in French internet, in Japanese インターネット (intānetto), and in Finnish, Dutch, and Spanish, for example, it’s still "internet".

Image: Markus Gjengaar

The piano –both the instrument and the soft intensity– has been conquering souls for so many centuries, that many languages agreed to call it the exact same word.

Its full name, pianoforte, comes from Italian, meaning "soft-loud," because mechanically it could perform both, making it more nuanced than the harpsichord, its predecessor.

In Spanish, it’s piano, in French, it’s piano, in Norwegian, it’s _piano_… You get the idea. The Russians say пианино (pianino), but you would still understand it.

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Cleverly, your ticket to the world is called pretty much the same everywhere you travel.

It comes from the French passeport, literally meaning "pass through a port."

Most languages have a combination of "pass" and "port" in them, and some just reduce it to "pass". For example, in Italian, it’s passaporto, in Finnish passi, in Swedish it’s pass, in Indonesian paspor, and in Turkish, pasaport.

Image: Brett Jordan

Many cultures must agree that bananas are nature’s perfect snack. No need to change its fun label. It comes from the Wolof word banaana.

In German, it’s Banane, in French banane, in Japanese バナナ (banana), and in Finnish banaani. And it is exactly banana in endless others, like Spanish, Portuguese, Croatian, and Italian.

Image: Ivan Torres

The pizza —Italy’s gift to the world and the reason we all have a favorite topping. It comes from the Latin pinsa, meaning "flatbread."

In French, it’s pizza, in Turkish pizza, in Russian пицца (pittsa), and it’s piotsa in Gaelic. Different ways to pronounce similar sounds, really.

Image: Rod Flores

The existing word was chosen to name the device invented in the 20th century. It comes from the Latin radius, meaning "ray" or "beam," referring to the waves it receives as signals.

In French, it’s radio, in Japanese ラジオ (rajio), in Finnish radio, and in Turkish radyo. Even in Swahili, it’s redio.

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"Safari" comes from the Arabic safar, meaning "journey," which traveled through Swahili before becoming a global term for wildlife expeditions.

The word gained popularity during the colonial era, when Europeans ventured into Africa to hunt (or, these days, photograph) the "Big Five."

In French, Indonesian, Spanish, Finnish, Hindi, and others, it’s safari. Few languages came up with an alternative term, really.

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Similarly to the radio, when photographs were invented, it was decided to name them with terms everybody could understand. This was to combine the Greek phōs (light) and graphē (drawing).

The invention of photography in the 19th century revolutionized how we capture memories, and the word itself became a global staple.

In French, it’s photo, in Japanese フォト (foto), in Turkish foto, and in Finnish valokuva. Well, you got us there. But the Finnish can also call it foto.

Image: Nathan Dumlao

It would be easy to ask for coffee everywhere in the world, and we are grateful for that. Imagine having to remember a contrite translation as soon as you wake up!

It comes from the Arabic qahwa, which originally referred to wine but later became associated with the energizing drink. The word traveled through Turkish kahve and Italian caffè before spreading worldwide.

In French and Spanish, it’s café, in Japanese コーヒー (kōhī), in Finnish kahvi, and in Indonesian kopi.

Image: Kier in Sight Archives

They say that one out of ten people don’t like chocolate. That must mean that approximately 90% of the world enjoys it. And they all agree to call it the same name.

It comes from the Nahuatl word xocolātl, which the Aztecs used to describe a bitter drink made from cacao beans. Spanish conquistadors brought it to Europe, where it was sweetened and transformed into the treat we adore today.

In French, it’s chocolat, in Japanese チョコレート (chokorēto), and in Turkish çikolata. Even in Hindi, it’s चॉकलेट (chŏklaṭ).

Image: Jeremy Huang

It’s no wonder, is it? One of the words that remains barely changed across languages has the Latin universus ("whole, entire") as its root.

It’s because, originally, the term was a phrase describing an academic institution: universitas magistrorum et scholarium ("community of masters and scholars").

In French you’d call it université, in Spanish universidad, in Italian università, in German Universität, and similarly on.

Goodies from around the world

What does Bûche de Noël mean? Traditional foreign festive foods

Image: Alexa Soh

Is there a meal you look forward to every year? Perhaps roasted turkey or gingerbread cookies? All over the world, nations have their own festive traditions and associated delicacies—some sweet, some savory, some baked, and some fried. Let’s explore the names and stories of these foreign treats and decide which ones we’d like to try first.

Image: Kisoulou

Bûche de Noël simply translates to "Christmas log." It’s sometimes also called a Yule log cake. This French dessert is, unsurprisingly, a favorite during the jolly season.

Made from a rolled sponge cake filled with buttercream and decorated to resemble a log, it often features chocolate, vanilla, or coffee flavors. Some variations also include powdered sugar or meringue to mimic snow.

Image: Nano Erdozain

The tradition of the Feast of the Seven Fishes originated in Southern Italy as a way to celebrate the bounty of the sea and familial togetherness. It remains a cherished Christmas Eve tradition in many Italian-American households.

The feast calls for families to come together and prepare seven seafood dishes. The number seven is derived from its biblical association with completeness.

Image: Matt L

Do you think you could eat twelve grapes in just a few seconds? That’s exactly what the Spanish attempt to do as midnight strikes on New Year’s Eve. This ritual is believed to bring good luck for the coming year.

Strictly speaking, you should eat each of Las Doce Uvas ("The Twelve Grapes") with every chime of the midnight bells.

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If you were to attend a Norwegian wedding, you would likely see a towering cake made of glazed dough rings. If you're lucky, you might also find this treat served on Christmas or anniversaries.

The rings are made from ground almonds, sugar, and egg whites and are stacked to form a conical structure. Sometimes, a Kransekake ("wreath cake") hides a surprise inside, such as a bottle of wine.

Image: https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1729238741109-608576d79fa7?

Mooncakes are round to symbolize the full moon. They originated in China as a treat for celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.

These cakes are traditionally filled with lotus seed paste, red bean paste, or salted egg yolks. They are crowned with beautiful stamped tops that feature Chinese characters representing concepts like "harmony" or "longevity."

Image: Thu Huynh

Hallaca is a tamale-like dish eaten in Venezuelan summers for Christmas. It is made from corn dough filled with meat, raisins, capers, and olives, then wrapped in plantain leaves.

Because hallacas are quite difficult to prepare, making the dish often becomes a communal activity on Christmas Eve. Their name comes from the Guaraní word ayuaca, meaning "mix of things."

Image: John Cutting

Hot Cross Buns, marked with a cross, are spiced sweet rolls traditionally eaten on Good Friday in the UK.

Made with flour, sugar, raisins, and spices, these buns date back to at least the 12th century, when monks baked them to honor the crucifixion. Some people enjoy them with butter, cream, or jam.

Image: Richard Iwaki

An ornate box filled with small, varied dishes—this is a traditional way to welcome the New Year in Japan. Osechi Ryori translates directly to "New Year’s Food."

Inside the lacquered box, you might find dishes like datemaki (sweet rolled omelet) or kuromame (sweet black soybeans), along with many colorful seafood delicacies.

Image: Ron Lach

Not donuts, but close enough. Picarones (which translates to "rascal" or "stinger" in English) are sweet fritters made from squash and sweet potato, often served with syrup or a dusting of sugar.

In Peru, they are a favorite treat during Señor de los Milagros, a religious festival celebrated in the country’s spring. But any day is a good day to enjoy them, too.

Image: Deepthi Clicks

Bibingka is a coconut-flavored rice cake enjoyed during Christmas in the Philippines, particularly after Simbang Gabi (dawn masses).

This centuries-old tradition dates back to Spanish colonial times. Bibingka is made with rice flour, coconut milk, and eggs, then topped with cheese or salted egg. For a final touch of flavor, it is wrapped in banana leaves before baking.

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Lussekatter translates to "Lucia Cats," a name far better than their original one—"Lucia Devils." These saffron-infused pastries are baked and enjoyed on St. Lucia’s Day, a religious celebration held on December 13 in Sweden.

Traditionally shaped like an "S," lussekatter were originally served as a special breakfast to ward off evil spirits. They are often decorated with raisins for an extra touch of sweetness.

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Vitello Tonnato ("veal with tuna sauce") is a festive favorite in many South American households. It consists of thinly sliced veal covered in a creamy tuna-caper sauce.

Originally from Italy’s Piedmont region, the dish was brought to South America through immigration, becoming popular in countries like Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Its chilled preparation makes it perfect for the warm weather of Christmas and New Year’s dinners in these regions.