What’s In a Place Name?

The beginning or end of a place name often defines its setting, such as Montreal or Konigsberg - two designations that mean more or less the same thing in French and German, respectively. Some aren’t as obvious.

Can you identify the languages and meanings of the geographical prefixes/suffixes below? You’ve already read a few of them in Destinations on our web site at WTA Destinations.

1. Bahr

a. German for natural barrier
b. Malay for forest
c. Arabic for sea

2. Serra

a. Portuguese for mountain range
b. Italian for plains
c. Swiss French for alp

3. Champ

a. French for field
b. English for promontory
c. Esperanto for camp

4. Insel

a. Russian for peak
b. Flemish for river
c. German for island

5. Ozero

a. Japanese for airport
b. Russian for lake
c. Greek for vineyard

6. Wan

a. Chinese for bay
b. Japanese for hill
c. Arabic for ditch

7. Qum

a. Arabic for river
b. Persian for plain
c. Turkish for desert

8. Tung

a. Norse for estuary
b. Dutch for forest
c. Chinese for east

9. Fels

a. Flemish for waterfall
b. German for cliff
c. English for riverbed

10. Kyst

a. Danish for coast
b. Russian for islet
c. Dutch for mountain

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