ಬೆಕ್ಕು
bekku/bekku/
The English word "cat" is translated into Kannada as ಬೆಕ್ಕು (bekku).
ಬೆಕ್ಕು is the noun used to refer to the domestic species of cat.
Meaning: domestic species (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is bekku. The IPA is /bekku/.
Did you know?
- In Kannada folklore and some local superstitions, the sight of a ಬೆಕ್ಕು crossing one's path is sometimes viewed as an omen of bad luck, similar to the black cat superstition in the West.
- The Kannada word ಬೆಕ್ಕು is a cognate with the Tamil word வெருகு and the Malayalam word വെരുക്, showing a shared linguistic root across the Dravidian language family.
- The word ಬೆಕ್ಕು originates from the Old Kannada word ಬೆರ್ಕು, illustrating how the language evolved by simplifying its consonant clusters over centuries.
Examples in context
- ಬೆಕ್ಕು ಇದೆ.There is a cat.This sentence is useful for seeing how to state the presence of a ಬೆಕ್ಕು.Tatoeba #12484930 by Lumi, translation #35821 by CK
- ಬೆಕ್ಕು ಮಲಗಿದೆ.bekku malagide.The cat is sleeping.
- ನನ್ನ ಬೆಕ್ಕು ತುಂಬಾ ಮುದ್ದಾಗಿದೆ.nanna bekku tumba muddāgide.My cat is very cute.
Example conversation
Pranav and Divya are looking at a photo of a pet.
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavಈ ಬೆಕ್ಕು ತುಂಬಾ ಚಂದ!ī bekku tumba chanda!This cat is very beautiful!
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaಹೌದು, ಪ್ರಣವ್, ಇದು ತುಂಬಾ ಮುದ್ದಾಗಿದೆ.haudu, Pranav, idu tumba muddāgide.Yes, Pranav, it is very cute.
- ಪ್ರಣವ್ Pranavಇದರ ಹೆಸರು ಏನು?idara hesaru ēnu?What is its name?
- ದಿವ್ಯಾ Divyaಇದರ ಹೆಸರು ಕಿಟ್ಟಿ.idara hesaru kitti.Its name is Kitty.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cat” translations and entries ಬೆಕ್ಕು, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ಬೆಕ್ಕು, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
