गो
go/ɡɐ́u̯/
The Sanskrit word for cow is गो (go). Wiktionary also lists धेनु (dhenu) and अघ्न्या (aghnyā).
Meaning: adult female of species Bos taurus (noun)
Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| गो | go | /ɡɐ́u̯/ (Vedic) /ɡoː/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
|
| धेनु | dhenu | /dʱɐi̯.nú/ (Vedic) /d̪ʱeː.n̪u/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
|
| अघ्न्या | aghnyā | /ɐɡʱ.n̪jɑ́ː/ (Vedic) /ɐ́ɡʱ.n̪jɑː/ (Vedic) |
feminine |
The word गो is highly versatile and can refer not only to a cow but also to a bull, a calf or even the earth or light in certain contexts.
Which one should you use?
The form धेनु is often used in a poetic or literary context to refer to a cow, often emphasizing its role as a provider of milk. In contrast, अघ्न्या is a specific feminine adjective used in Vedic Sanskrit to refer to a cow that should not be killed.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is go (/ɡɐ́u̯/).
Did you know?
- The Sanskrit word गो is a very distant relative of the English word 'cow', as both descend from the same prehistoric Proto-Indo-European root.
- The word गो can be used to describe the earth, reflecting a cultural view of the world as a nourishing provider similar to a cow.
- The term अघ्न्या literally translates to 'not to be killed', framing the cow's identity through the prohibition of its slaughter.
Examples in context
- गौः चरति।gauḥ carati.The cow is grazing.
Example conversation
A boy and a girl are looking at a farm.
- मीरा Miraपश्य, गौः अत्र अस्ति।paśya, gauḥ atra asti.Look, the cow is here.
- आदित्य Adityaआम्, सा सुन्दरी गौः अस्ति।ām, sā sundarī gauḥ asti.Yes, she is a beautiful cow.
- मीरा Miraकिं सा दुग्धं ददाति?kiṃ sā dugdhaṃ dadāti?Does she give milk?
- आदित्य Adityaआम्, सा दुग्धं ददाति।ām, sā dugdhaṃ dadāti.Yes, she gives milk.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cow” translations and entries गो, धेनु, अघ्न्या, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries अघ्न्या, गो, धेनु, CC BY-SA 4.0.
