कोयल
koyal/koː.jəl/feminine
The English phrase "cuckoo" is translated into Hindi as कोयल (koyal). Wiktionary also lists कोकिला (kokilā).
Meaning: the bird (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| कोयल | koyal | /koː.jəl/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
| कोकिला | kokilā | /koː.kɪ.lɑː/ (Hindi, Standard) | feminine |
The standard, everyday noun for the bird is कोयल. If you are referring specifically to the distinctive call or sound made by the cuckoo, the noun कूक is used.
Which one should you use?
While कोयल is the common word for cuckoo, कोकिला is a more formal or poetic term specifically used to refer to the female cuckoo.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /koː.jəl/. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- While English speakers use 'cuckoo' to mean 'crazy', the Hindi word कोयल does not carry this connotation of madness or insanity.
- In Hindi culture, the कोयल is the ultimate symbol of a beautiful voice. Comparing someone's singing to a कोयल is one of the highest compliments a vocalist can receive.
- The कोयल is often paired with the mango tree in Indian imagery, as the bird is most famous for singing from the branches of mango trees during the spring.
Examples in context
- कभी कोयल देखी है?Have you ever seen a cuckoo?This sentence uses कोयल.Tatoeba #3318970 by sabretou, translation #63693 by CK
- वसन्त ऋतु के आते ही आम के बागों में कोकिला की मधुर कूक सुनाई देने लगती है।With the arrival of the spring season, the sweet cooing of the female cuckoo starts being heard in the mango orchards.This sentence uses कोकिला.
- पेड़ पर कोयल बैठी है।Ped par koyal baithi hai.A cuckoo is sitting on the tree.
- 1 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rahul and Priya are walking in a park.
- राहुल Rahulप्रिया, क्या तुमने कोयल की आवाज़ सुनी?Priya, kya tumne koyal ki aawaz suni?Priya, did you hear the sound of the cuckoo?
- प्रिया Priyaहाँ राहुल, उसकी आवाज़ बहुत मीठी है।Haan Rahul, uski aawaz bahut meethi hai.Yes Rahul, its voice is very sweet.
- राहुल Rahulकोयल कहाँ छिपी है?Koyal kahan chhipi hai?Where is the cuckoo hiding?
- प्रिया Priyaवह उस घने पेड़ के पीछे है।Vah us ghane ped ke peeche hai.It is behind that thick tree.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cuckoo” translations and entries कोयल, कोकिला, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
