What Do They Call...
Guess what different countries call each other in their native tongue. Discover world exonyms and endonyms
About What Do They Call...
What Do They Call... explores how different nations, cultures, and languages refer to other countries and peoples around the globe. While English speakers say "Sweden" or "Germany", native speakers have their own deep-rooted names: Norwegians say Sverige, Finns say Ruotsi, the French say les Allemands, and Poles say Włochy.
Known in linguistics as exonyms (names used by outsiders) and endonyms (names used by inhabitants), these words reveal rich histories of ancient tribes, migration, and trade routes. Test your linguistic intuition and learn how the world names itself.
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FAQ
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What are exonyms and endonyms?
An endonym is the internal name given by a group of people to themselves, their homeland, or their language (such as Deutschland or Suomi). An exonym is an external name given by an outside group (such as Germany or Finland). -
Why do Finns call Sweden Ruotsi?
Ruotsi comes from the Old Norse word for rowers (roþs-), which describes Roslagen on the eastern coast of Sweden. -
Why do the French call Germany Allemagne?
The French name Allemagne derives from the Alamanni, an ancient confederation of Germanic tribes that lived on the upper Rhine next to Gaul. -
What skills does this game test?
It tests world geography, polyglot vocabulary, cultural history, and comparative linguistics across global languages. -
Can MemPi help me study and practice this game?
Yes! Click MemPi in the header or on the game board to summon him. He observes the board, thinks out loud, and can demonstrate moves or guide you through tricky steps.