Animals

1. કૂતરો

   kootro

   Dog

   Usage

   Street dogs are common. "Kootro kardyo" means a dog bit me

2. બિલાડી

   bilaadi

   Cat

   Usage

   For the resident guesthouse cat, or to say you are allergic

3. પક્ષી

   pakshi

   Bird

   Usage

   The general word for birds — useful at wetlands such as Nal Sarovar

4. માછલી

   maachhli

   Fish

   Usage

   Used for the animal and the dish. Gujarat is largely vegetarian; fish is mainly coastal

5. ઘોડો

   ghodo

   Horse

   Usage

   For pony rides and horse carts at sights

6. ગાય

   gaay

   Cow

   Usage

   Sacred in Hinduism. Never shoo or strike a cow even when it blocks the road; feeding is considered meritorious but do not handle one uninvited

7. બળદ

   balad

   Ox / Bull

   Usage

   Pulls carts in villages and is decorated and honoured at festivals — do not touch it then

8. ભેંસ

   bhens

   Buffalo

   Usage

   Kept for milk — most Indian milk is buffalo milk. Herds often block the road

9. ઊંટ

   oont

   Camel

   Usage

   The signature animal of Kutch; rides are offered on the Rann

10. ભૂંડ

    bhoond

    Pig

    Usage

    Useful for stating dietary limits, though pork is rarely served in Gujarat

11. મરઘી

    marghi

    Chicken

    Usage

    Many eateries are vegetarian, so use it to ask whether chicken is available

12. બતક

    batak

    Duck

    Usage

    Seen on ponds and wetlands; rarely on menus

13. બકરી

    bakri

    Goat

    Usage

    Wanders freely even in towns. Indian "mutton" is usually goat

14. ઘેટું

    ghetu

    Sheep

    Usage

    Herded by pastoralists in Kutch and north Gujarat; flocks can block the road

15. હાથી

    haathi

    Elephant

    Usage

    Seen at temple festivals — follow the handler's instructions

16. વાંદરો

    vaandro

    Monkey

    Usage

    Snatches food and bags at temples and ruins. Avoid eye contact and hold your bag in front

17. સિંહ

    sinh

    Lion

    Usage

    The Asiatic lion survives only in Gir National Park — the word to use when booking a safari

18. વાઘ

    vaagh

    Tiger

    Usage

    There are no wild tigers in Gujarat — this comes up at zoos or when discussing safaris in other states

19. સાપ

    saap

    Snake

    Usage

    Possible in villages and grassland; go to hospital at once if bitten

20. નાગ

    naag

    Cobra

    Usage

    Venomous, and also worshipped at Nag Panchami. Keep away and call for help

21. મગર

    magar

    Crocodile

    Usage

    Lives in rivers and reservoirs — worth asking about before swimming

22. કાચબો

    kaachbo

    Turtle / Tortoise

    Usage

    Sea turtle conservation runs along the coast

23. દેડકો

    dedko

    Frog

    Usage

    Calls loudly through the monsoon — handy for explaining a noisy night

24. ગરોળી

    goroli

    House gecko

    Usage

    Common on guesthouse walls. Harmless and eats insects

25. કાચિંડો

    kaachindo

    Chameleon / Garden lizard

    Usage

    The lizard on garden trees and walls, distinct from the indoor gecko

26. ઉંદર

    undar

    Rat / Mouse

    Usage

    Grounds for asking to change rooms

27. સસલું

    saslu

    Rabbit

    Usage

    Seen as a pet or at a zoo

28. ચામાચીડિયું

    chaamaachidiyu

    Bat

    Usage

    Flies around old buildings and big trees at dusk. Do not handle them

29. મચ્છર

    machchhar

    Mosquito

    Usage

    Carries dengue and malaria. Show it when asking for a coil or screen

30. વંદો

    vando

    Cockroach

    Usage

    Report it at reception when asking for a clean or a room change

31. કીડી

    keedi

    Ant

    Usage

    Swarms on sweets left out — keep them sealed

32. મધમાખી

    madhmaakhi

    Bee

    Usage

    Mention it in advance if you are allergic. Honey is "madh"

33. કરોળિયો

    koroliyo

    Spider

    Usage

    Often in room corners; mostly harmless, but you can ask for a clean

34. પતંગિયું

    patangiyu

    Butterfly

    Usage

    Common after the rains. Note how close it is to "patang", a kite

35. માખી

    maakhi

    Fly

    Usage

    Gathers on street food — use it when asking for a cover

36. મોર

    mor

    Peacock

    Usage

    India's national bird, seen in villages and reserves and noisy before the rains

37. ગધેડું

    gadhedu

    Donkey

    Usage

    Used to carry building materials. Aimed at a person it means "fool", so keep it to the animal

38. ખિસકોલી

    khiskoli

    Squirrel

    Usage

    The striped palm squirrel, common even in city parks

Browse all TravelPhrases languages