What Do You Call Escalators and Elevators in Different Languages?

Escalators and elevators are widely used around the world, but did you know that these machines have different names in different languages? In this article, we will explore how escalators and elevators are referred to in various languages, including Kannada, Greek, and several European languages. We will also provide helpful translations and explanations for each term.

Escalator Terms in Various Languages

Kannada

Escalators in Kannada are referred to as ērii. This term is derived from the Kanada language's unique way of combining words to form meaning. Let us explore the fascinating etymology of the word ērii.

Etymology of ērii

The term ērii is made up of two roots – ēru and ii.

ēru means to ascend, climb up, mount. ii means to come down, alight, get down, descend.

Therefore, the term ērii can be used for both escalators and elevators as it combines the idea of ascending and descending.

Examples of Kannada Terms:

ērii pāvaige / ērii meilu This phrase literally translates to "steps or staircase". When prefixed with ērii, it can be used for an escalator. calapāvaige This term means a "moving staircase/steps" where calan is derived from the Sanskrit word chala meaning 'to move or move. tirugumeilu This term literally means "turning steps" where tirug means "turn" in Kannada. carasopāna This term means "moving staircase" where sopāna is derived from Sanskrit, meaning 'staircases or steps.'

Bengali (Bangla)

In Bengali, escalators are referred to as cholomaan sindi, which is pronounced as Cho-low-maan sindi. This term translates to moving steps/stairs.

Photo Example:

Hebrew

In Hebrew, the official term for an escalator is dragnoa. This term is a combination of the words dereg (stair) and noa (movement). In other words, it simply means moving stairs.

A more common term used is madregot naot, which literally translates to moving stairs.

German

German terms for escalators include die Rolltreppe (die the, Rolltreppe rolling staircase). German is known for creating descriptive compound words that paint a vivid picture of the object being described, which can be very helpful when learning the language!

Scottish Gaelic

In Scottish Gaelic, escalators are referred to as Sreapadair, literally meaning a climber.

Conclusion

We hope that this article has sparked your interest in the diverse vocabulary used to describe escalators and elevators across different languages. Whether you are a linguist, a traveler, or simply someone who finds word origin fascinating, there is always something new to discover!