Language/Marathi/Vocabulary/Animals
Hi Marathi learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will be learning about animals in Marathi. Animals are an essential part of our world, and many cultures have unique ideas about them. Marathi culture is no exception. This lesson will not only provide you with the vocabulary to talk about animals in Marathi but also offer cultural and interesting facts about them.
Consider exploring these related pages after completing this lesson: Colors, Say Hello and Greetings in Marathi, Resources & Languages (bhasha भाषा).
Basic Vocabulary[edit | edit source]
Here are some of the most common animals in Marathi:
| Marathi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| पाय (Pāya) | /pɑːjə/ | Cow |
| म्हैस (Mhais) | /mʱəis/ | Buffalo |
| भेंडी (Bhendī) | /bʱend̪i/ | Goat |
| मेंढा (Mendhā) | /mend̪ʰa/ | Ram |
| म्हानखं (Mhānkhạṁ) | /mʱaːnkʰəm/ | Elephant |
| शेर (Sher) | /ʃer/ | Lion |
| बाघ (Bāgh) | /bɑːɡʰ/ | Tiger |
| छत्री (Chhatrī) | /tʃʰətriː/ | Leopard |
| कुत्रा (Kutrā) | /kutrā/ | Dog |
| म्हुंगल (Mhungal) | /mʱuŋɡəl/ | Monkey |
| बिल्ली (Billī) | /bɪliː/ | Cat |
| चिंपण्या (Chimpạṇyā) | /tʃimpəɳjɑː/ | Chimpanzee |
| जंगली सुई (Jaṅglī suī) | /dʒəŋɡliː sui/ | Porcupine |
| वाघोळ (Vāghoḷ) | /vɑːɡʰoɭ/ | Rhinoceros |
Examples[edit | edit source]
Person 1: हा तुळशीचा पाय (Hā tuḷashīcā pāya) (This is Tulasi's cow) Person 2: किती ओजस्व असते (Kitī ojasva asate) (How strong is she?)
Person 1: मला बिल्ली आवडत नाही (Malā billī āvaḍata nāhī) (I don't like cats) Person 2: मला तर म्हानखं आवडतात (Malā tar mhānkhạt āvaḍatāt) (I like elephants)
Animals in Indian culture[edit | edit source]
Indian culture has a long-standing tradition of reverence towards animals. Some animals are even worshiped as gods. For example, the cow is considered sacred in Hinduism and is believed to provide prosperity and happiness. Similarly, elephants are revered in Hinduism and Buddhism and are symbols of wisdom and strength.
But culture is not limited to religion. In India, different regions have different relationships with animals. In Maharashtra, for example, peacocks are associated with the monsoon season since they are known to dance when it rains. The Indian national bird, the peacock, is also the state bird of Maharashtra.
Examples[edit | edit source]
Person 1: शिवाजी महाराजांनी अश्या हिरवी पिकांची बाजी केल्या होत्या. (Śivājī mahārājānnī aśyā hiravī pikān̄cī bājī kelyā hotyā.) (Shivaji Maharaj used to have green parrot fights.)
Person 2: वाह, किती मस्त होतेय त्या बाज्यांच्या बाजी. (Vāh, kitī mast hoteya tyyā bājyāchē bājī.) (Wow, those fights must have been awesome.)
Wild Animals in India[edit | edit source]
India is known for its diverse wildlife. From the majestic Bengal tiger to the elusive snow leopard, India has a wide range of indigenous animal species. Here are some of the most famous wild animals in India.
| Marathi | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| हिरवा मृग (Hirvā mṛug) | /hirva mr̥ugə/ | Deer |
| बाघ (Bāgh) | /bɑːɡʰ/ | Tiger |
| सांभर (Sāṃbhar) | /saːmbʱər/ | Sambar |
| छत्री (Chhatrī) | /tʃʰətriː/ | Leopard |
| मोर (Mor) | /moɾə/ | Peacock |
| धोंयाशा (Dhōnyāśā) | /d̪ʱonjasha/ | Kangaroo |
| हुतुतु (Hututu) | /hut̪ut̪u/ | Owl |
Examples[edit | edit source]
Person 1: हे आहेत सांभराचे शिकारी. (He āhet sāmbharācē śikārī.) (These are hunters of Sambar.) Person 2: माझ्या वडगावच्या बापमाझा सांभर निघाला होता. (Mājhyā vaḍagāvacyā bāpamājhhā sāṃbhar nighālā hotā.) (Once my grandfather caught a Sambar.)
Endangered Animals[edit | edit source]
Unfortunately, many magnificent animals in India are endangered. Some of them are even on the brink of extinction. Here are some of the endangered animals in India.
| Marathi | Pronunciation | Number of remaining individuals (source: https://www.worldwildlife.org/) |
|---|---|---|
| बोर (Bōr) | /bor/ | 70 |
| असियाटिक शेर (Asiyāṭik sher) | /əsiyaːʈik ʃer/ | 2500 |
| भारतीय गंधर्व माकड (Bhāratīy gandharv mākaḍ) | /bʱaːrətiy ɡənd̪ʱərv maːkəɖ/ | 2500 |
Examples[edit | edit source]
Person 1: काय बर्याचदा असंतोष कारण बोर चांगला प्रजनन संग्रहालयात असतात. (Kāy baryācadā asantoṣa kāraṇa bor cāṅgalā prajanana saṅgrahālayāt asatāta.) (Many are dissatisfied because the breeding center for wild boars is good)
Person 2: बरीच जागा मिळण्यासाठी मग काही नाही करणारच. (Barīc jāgā miḷaṇyāsāṭhī mag kāhī nāhī karaṇārac.) (Then people should stop encroaching on their habitat.)
➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎
Videos[edit | edit source]
Water Animals in Marathi |Learn Marathi For Kids - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Count to 10
- Resources
- Family
- Days (var वार)
- Food
- Love
- How to say Good Bye?
- Languages (bhasha भाषा)
- Seasons