The television series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends is mainly aired in English, but this is by no means the only language in which it is broadcast in.
Welsh
In Wales, the series is called "Tomos a'i Ffrindiau" and is narrated by John Ogwen. It is often broadcast on S4C's "Planed Plant Bach".
Japanese
Japanese opening screen
In Japan, the series is translated as "きかんしゃトーマス" (Romaji: "Kikansha Tōmasu"). Thomas is popular in Japan due to the popularity of railways in Japan. This version of the show also has individual voice acting and looks and sounds more like an anime series than an animated book.
Korean
In South Korea the series is translated as "꼬마기관차 토마스와 친구들".
Norwegian
In Norway the series is known as "Lokomotivet Thomas" or "Thomas og Vennene Hans".
German
In Germany the series is known as "Thomas, die kleine Lokomotive" (Thomas the Small Locomotive) or "Thomas und Seine Freunde" (Thomas and his Friends). If Thomas' English name were translated into German, it would be "Thomas der Zisterne-Motor". In the german television series the fat controller is called "Der dicke Kontrolleur", but this means "The fat conductor".
Finnish
In Finland, the series is known as "Tuomas Veturi".
French
In French, the series is known as "Thomas et ses Amis" or "Thomas le Petit Train" (Thomas the small train). The first five seasons were narrated by Gérard Boucaron, and all seasons beyond included both a narrator and voice actors.
Character names
Italian
In Italy, the series is known as "Il trenino Thomas".
Dutch
In the Netherlands, the series is known as "Thomas de Stoomlocomotief".
Hungarian
In Hungary the series is known as "Thomas a Gözmozdony" which means "Thomas the Steam Engine". It is also known as "Thomas és Baratai" which means "Thomas and Friends." It was first broadcasted on Minimax in 2006. It was later broadcasted on M1 and recently on JimJamTV. It is narrated by Csanko Zoltan.
Polish
In Poland, the series is known as "Tomek i Przyjaciele".
Character names
- Thomas - Tomek
- Edward - Edek
- Henry - Henio
- Gordon - Gabryś
- James - Kuba
- Percy - Piotrek
- Toby - Tobik
- Duck - Kaczor
- Donald - Donald
- Douglas - Darek
- Oliver - Olek
- Emily - Emilka
- Murdoch - Marcin
- Spencer - Szymek
- Arthur - Artur
- Harvey - Hipek
- Molly - Mela
- Rosie - Różyczka
- Stanley - Staś
Portugese
In Portugal, the series is known as "Thomas o Trem Azul".
Swedish
In Sweden, the series is known as "Thomas och Vännerna".
Chinese
In China, the series is known as "火車頭日記". In Taiwan, the series is known as "湯瑪士小火車".
Czech
In the Czech Republic, the series is known as "Locomotiva Tomáš".
Character names
Hawaiian
In Hawaii, the series is known as "Ka'aahi Thomas".
Character names
- Thomas - Thomas
- Edward - Ekewaka
- Henry - Henele
- Gordon - Kolekona
- James - Kimo
- Percy - Peleki
- Toby - Kopi
- Duck - Kakā
- Donald - Konala
- Douglas - Koukalaka
- Oliver - Oliwa
- Emily - Emele
Croatian
In Croatia, the series is known as "Tomica i Prijatelji".
Character names
- Thomas - Tomica/Thomas
- Edward - Edo
- Henry - Hrvoje
- Gordon - Gordan
- James - Jurica/Jakov
- Percy - Pero
- Toby - Bruno
- Duck - Darko
- Donald - Danko/Dinko
- Douglas- Domagoj/Branko
- Oliver - Oliver
- Emily - Ema
- Murdoch- Damir
- Spencer- Stjepan
- Arthur - Antun
- Harvey - Janko
- Molly - Mara
- Rosie - Roza
- Salty - Slani
- Dennis - Denis
- Neville- Nenad
- Cranky - Živko
- Terence- Zoran
- Trevor - Tvrtko
- Bertie - Bero
- Skarloey- Vinko
- Rheneas - Zvonko
- Sir Handel- g. Krešimir
- Peter Sam- Petar
- Rusty - Tibor
- Duncan - Ivan
- Freddie- Ferdo
- Mighty Mac- Moćni Mak
- Harold- Kruno/Hari
- Annie and Clarabel- Ana i Klara
- Henrietta- Hrvojka/Helena
- Rocky- Igor
- Bill and Ben- Mate/Roko i Frane
- Hector - Hektor
- Hank - Toni
- Flora - Flora
- Whiff - Ćuh
- Billy - Bili