When visiting or communicating with Indian locals, it’s always helpful to know how to say “dog” in their language. India is a diverse country with various languages and dialects spoken throughout its regions. In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways to say “dog” in India, focusing on the most widely spoken languages. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
1. Hindi:
Hindi, one of the prominent languages spoken in India, is a great place to start. To say “dog” in Hindi, you can use the following terms:
- Formal: कुत्ता (kutta)
- Informal: पिल्ला (pilla)
Here, “kutta” is the formal way to refer to a dog in Hindi, while “pilla” is more commonly used in informal conversations.
2. Bengali:
Bengali is another widely spoken language in India, especially in the eastern part of the country. In Bengali, you can use the following terms to say “dog”:
- Formal & Informal: কুকুর (kukur)
The word “kukur” is used universally in Bengali, both in formal and informal contexts.
3. Tamil:
Tamil is primarily spoken in the southern states of India. To say “dog” in Tamil, you can use these terms:
- Formal & Informal: நாய் (nāy)
In Tamil, “nāy” can be used without distinction to refer to a dog formally or informally.
4. Telugu:
Telugu is another major language spoken in India, primarily in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Here’s how you say “dog” in Telugu:
- Formal: నాయి (nāyi)
- Informal: పిల్లి (pilli)
The word “nāyi” is commonly used in formal situations, while “pilli” is the word most often used informally.
5. Kannada:
Kannada is primarily spoken in the southern state of Karnataka. To say “dog” in Kannada, you can use these terms:
- Formal: ನಾಯಿ (nāyi)
- Informal: ಬೆಕ್ಕು (bekku)
In Kannada, “nāyi” is the formal term for a dog, while “bekku” is used more commonly in informal conversations.
6. Marathi:
Marathi is the language spoken mainly in the state of Maharashtra, in western India. Here’s how to say “dog” in Marathi:
- Formal: कुत्रा (kutrā)
- Informal: कुत्री (kutrī)
The term “kutrā” is used in formal contexts, whereas “kutrī” is the informal way of referring to a dog in Marathi.
7. Malayalam:
Malayalam is spoken in the southern state of Kerala. Here’s how to say “dog” in Malayalam:
- Formal & Informal: പട്ടി (patti)
In Malayalam, “patti” is the word used to refer to a dog in both formal and informal situations.
8. Gujarati:
Gujarati is predominantly spoken in the western state of Gujarat. Here’s how you say “dog” in Gujarati:
- Formal & Informal: કૂતરો (kutarō)
The term “kutarō” is used both formally and informally to refer to a dog in Gujarati.
9. Punjabi:
Punjabi is mainly spoken in the northern state of Punjab. To say “dog” in Punjabi, you can use these terms:
- Formal & Informal: ਕੁੱਤਾ (kuttā)
In Punjabi, “kuttā” can be used to refer to a dog regardless of the formality of the context.
10. Urdu:
Urdu, widely spoken throughout India, especially in the northern regions, has the following words for “dog”:
- Formal & Informal: کتا (kutta)
The term “kutta” can be used universally in Urdu for both formal and informal situations.
Tip: When traveling to specific regions within India, it’s always good to learn a few basic words and phrases in the local dialects to better connect with the local people.
Now armed with the knowledge of how to say “dog” in various Indian languages, you can confidently communicate and engage with locals during your visit to India. Remember to use the appropriate term based on the formality of the situation, or simply go with the informal option if you’re unsure. Enjoy your interactions with our four-legged friends and immerse yourself in the rich cultural diversity of India!
