ఆవు
āvu/aːʋu/
The English word "cow" is ఆవు (āvu) in Telugu. Wiktionary also lists గోవు (gōvu).
Meaning: adult female of species Bos taurus (noun)
Ways to say it
| Telugu | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ఆవు | āvu | /aːʋu/ |
| గోవు | gōvu | [ɡoːʋu] (narrow) |
ఆవు refers to the adult female of the species Bos taurus.
Which one should you use?
గోవు is a more formal or literary version used in classical literature or formal contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /aːʋu/. The romanization is āvu.
When do people say it?
In many Telugu-speaking households, the cow is considered a sacred animal and is often referred to with respect.
Did you know?
- The term గోవు shares a deep ancestral root with the English word 'cow' through the Proto-Indo-European word *gʷōws.
- In traditional Telugu festivals like Pongal or Sankranti, cows are not just fed but are decorated with paint and jewelry before being honored with specific ritual chants.
- In Telugu culture, cows are often addressed as గోమాత meaning 'cow mother' to express the highest level of respect and familial affection.
Examples in context
- ఆవు గడ్డి తింటోంది.Aavu gaddi tintondi.The cow is eating grass.
- ఆ ఆవు చాలా తెల్లగా ఉంది.Aa aavu chaala tellaga undi.That cow is very white.
- మేము ఆవు పాలు తాగుతాము.Memu aavu paalu taaguthamu.We drink cow milk.
Example conversation
Ravi and Lakshmi are visiting a farm.
- రవి Raviలక్ష్మి, ఆ ఆవుని చూడు!Lakṣmi, ā āvuni chūḍu!Lakshmi, look at that cow!
- లక్ష్మి Lakshmiఅది చాలా అందంగా ఉంది రవి.adi chālā andangā undi Ravi.It is very beautiful, Ravi.
- రవి Raviఆవుకు గడ్డి వేద్దామా?āvuku gaddi vēddāmā?Shall we feed grass to the cow?
- లక్ష్మి Lakshmiఅవును, అలాగే చేద్దాం.avunu, alāgē chēddām.Yes, let's do that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cow” translations and entries ఆవు, గోవు, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
