Merfolk around the world!

**Ashe** · 10-01-2015, 10:03 PM

MerNetwork is a primarily English site, yet we have mermaids and mermen swimming all over the world! Why don't we all get a taste of what that is like?
For those to whom it applies, what are some mer-related terms in your native language? How do you say mermaid? Mermen? Tail? Mermaiding? Monofin? Anything else you'd like to share!

It would be fun to see all of the different variations of our most commonly used words in different languages and learn a little something new

**Echidna** · 10-01-2015, 11:06 PM

There was a thread, like a mini-dictionary, with all those words and plenty more in a dozen languages around here.
I cannot remember what it was called sadly.
I put on chinese, romanian, german, greek and italian or such.

If anyone can find that thread, please link.

**Ashe** · 10-01-2015, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by Echidna

There was a thread, like a mini-dictionary, with all those words and plenty more in a dozen languages around here.
I cannot remember what it was called sadly.
I put on chinese, romanian, german, greek and italian or such.

If anyone can find that thread, please link.

Interesting, I looked it up but couldn't find anything. It must be old in any case

**Marinus Mortimer** · 10-01-2015, 11:15 PM

Well I live in Puerto Rico and the main language is Spanish so here we go:

Monofin- Monoaleta
Mermaid Tail- Cola De Sirena
Shell's- Conchas
Free-diving- Buceo-libre, Buceo A Pulmón, Buceo Sin Equipo
Ocean- Océano
Sea- Mar
Beach- Playa
Silicone- Silicona
River- Río
Swimming- Nadar, Natación
Fish- Pez, Pescado
Pirates, Piratas
Etc, etc...

**Saren** · 10-02-2015, 07:22 AM

Marinus took care of the Spanish...so I'll share the Japanese. I'm not Japanese, these are just words that I learned while studying:

Ocean- umi
mermaid: mameedo or ningyo
underwater: suichou
fish: sakana
swim: oyogu

that's all I have learned so far. I'll edit ot his and add more if I remember.

**Ilyena** · 10-02-2015, 07:25 AM

Gorgona - Mermaid in Greek....but the 'g' sounds like you're kinda clearing something from your throat like a cat with a hair ball.

**SeaGlass Siren** · 10-02-2015, 08:26 AM

I shall contribute once more and include Vietnamese.

mermaid: nguoi ca (literally person fish)
dolphin: ca HEO (literally fish pig)
swim/swimming: boi
alligator and crocodile: ca sau (fish ugly)
ca: fish
wading: loiloi
beach: bien
Waves: song
water: nuoc
cold water: nuoc lanh
saltwater: nuoc mang

**Azurin Luna** · 10-02-2015, 11:15 AM

I found the forum thread. Funny enough it has almost the same name: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthre...over-the-world

**Echidna** · 10-03-2015, 02:36 AM

Originally Posted by Azurin Luna

I found the forum thread. Funny enough it has almost the same name: http://mernetwork.com/index/showthre...over-the-world

yay, you found it!

it's not even that old. Must work on my search skills...

**suzanne86** · 10-02-2015, 09:31 PM

In Mandarin Chinese, "mermaid" is "mêirén yü." "Monofin swimming" in French is "nage avec palme"; in Dutch, "vinzwemmen"; and in German, "flossenschwimmen."