கழுதை
kaḻutai/kɐɻʊd̪ɐɪ̯/
The Tamil word for donkey is கழுதை (kaḻutai).
The word refers to the domestic animal, commonly known as a donkey or an ass.
Meaning: a domestic animal (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kaḻutai. The IPA is /kɐɻʊd̪ɐɪ̯/.
Did you know?
- The letter ழ in கழுதை represents a unique retroflex approximant sound that is often the hardest sound for non-native speakers to master in Tamil.
- While it is the name of an animal, calling a person a கழுதை is a common way to call them a fool or an idiot in Tamil.
- Tamil literature occasionally uses the கழுதை as a symbol of humility or a lack of social status in fables.
Examples in context
- கழுதை சுமையைச் சுமந்து செல்கிறது.kalutai sumaiyaic cumantu celkiṟatu.The donkey is carrying the load.
Example conversation
Kavitha and Vijay are visiting a farm.
- கவிதா Kavithaவிஜய், அந்த கழுதையை பார்.vijay, antha kazhuthaiyai pāar.Vijay, look at that donkey.
- விஜய் Vijayஅது பார்க்க மிகவும் அழகாக இருக்கிறது.athu pārkka mikavum azhagāka irukkirathu.It looks very beautiful.
- கவிதா Kavithaகழுதைக்கு கேரட் கொடுக்கலாமா?kazhuthaikku kērat kodukkalāmā?Can we give the donkey a carrot?
- விஜய் Vijayஆம், நாம் கொடுக்கலாம்.ām, nām kodukkalām.Yes, we can give it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “donkey” translations and entries கழுதை, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
