Earlier I was reading a thread here and I noticed an Italian member called flashlights ‘torches’ like the English and Aussies do. I was curious as to what other (especially non-english speaking) countries used different terms for lights.
If you ask for a torch where I live, what you get won’t make much light, but it sure is hot!
For the most country’s that does not have English as there main language I think its just a preference or what they have learned. If I use myself as an example, I use mostly the term flashlight. Not sure anymore what I learned on school, it could be torch…
But we Dutch speak dutch. 
And we say ‘zaklamp’, if I translate it roughly it means ‘pocket lamp’ or ‘pocket light’.
It is a interesting question.
In my language, flashlight is either ‘lamp’ or ‘light’, no torches here.
We use British english here so in spoken language I say ‘torchlight’ while on the forums, I say ‘flashlight’ to fit in. lol
Addition: apart from 'zaklamp', 'zaklantaarn' is/was used (but I may be getting old)
British English = Torch
American English = Flashlight
What about the stick with fire?
No sure if you read some of my posts, it could be, btw in Italian torch = torcia = flashlight and also means the following (see picture) kind of torches (as you suggested)
while the object could be deprecated the meaning of the term still applies
BTW: I have an english question that bothers me a lot, instead
It is known as torchlight over here. Flashlight is usually refer as the light used with your camera. How about Flashlight vs Torch vs Lamp?
In french, wu use either : “lampe de poche” (pocket light) or “lampe torche” (torch light) or “torche” (torch), the last one also means a flaming torch.
Yep, you are getting old. J) :bigsmile:
German: Taschenlampe; the exact translation would be “pocket lamp”
Swiss: Pfunzle, Täschelampë
During my years in Switzerland a “pfunzle” could also be referring to a very weak or insufficient light source.
My Swedish isn’t very good but I recall “fackla”, but I can’t remember whether that would be for every mobile light source.
Looks like pocket lamp (allowing for different spellings) is a popular third way of describing flashlights. A torch in the UK stills means a stick on fire as well as a flashlight by the way. We still use them when we raid castles. I keep mine next to my pitchfork.
For those who always wanted to own a torch. Gearbest has a special deal on Olight OPEN (as long as supplies last).
a torch is a burning stick.
the german Taschenlampe has already been translated…
in Cantonese, it’s “electric tube/cylinder” 電筒 . There isn’t even a mention of light or lamp. Even neater, battery is “electric heart”
In Swedish, “ficklampa” = Pocket lamp
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