ఏనుగు
ēnugu/eːnuɡu/
The Telugu word for elephant is ఏనుగు (ēnugu). Wiktionary also lists గజము (gajamu).
Meaning: mammal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Telugu | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ఏనుగు | ēnugu | /eːnuɡu/ |
| గజము | gajamu | /ɡad͡ʑamu/ |
Both terms refer to the mammal elephant.
Which one should you use?
While ఏనుగు is the common word for elephant, గజము is a more formal or literary term often used in poetry or classical contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /eːnuɡu/ (ēnugu).
Did you know?
- The common word ఏనుగు evolved through a linguistic mistake where the plural ending లు was mistaken for part of the singular word.
- Telugu uses the specific term గజము in the context of 'Gaja-shastra', the ancient science of elephant management and classification.
- In Telugu culture, elephants are often associated with the deity Ganesha, which is why the formal term గజము appears frequently in religious hymns.
Examples in context
- ఆ ఏనుగు చాలా పెద్దది.aa enugu chaala peddadi.That elephant is very big.
- ఏనుగు ఒక బలమైన జంతువు.enugu oka balamaina jantuvu.An elephant is a strong animal.
- పిల్లలు ఏనుగును చూసి సంతోషించారు.pillalu enugunu choosi santhoshincharu.The children were happy to see the elephant.
Example conversation
Two friends are at a zoo watching animals.
- పల్లవి Pallaviసాయి, చూడు! అక్కడ ఒక ఏనుగు ఉంది.Sai, chudu! Akkada oka enugu undi.Sai, look! There is an elephant there.
- సాయి Saiఅవును పల్లవి, అది చాలా అందంగా ఉంది.Avunu Pallavi, adi chaala andanga undi.Yes Pallavi, it is very beautiful.
- పల్లవి Pallaviదాని తుండం చాలా పొడవుగా ఉంది.Daani thundam chaala podavuga undi.Its trunk is very long.
- సాయి Saiఅవును, ఏనుగులు నిజంగా అద్భుతమైనవి.Avunu, enugulu nijanga adbhuthamainavi.Yes, elephants are truly wonderful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “elephant” translations and entries ఏనుగు, గజము, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ఏనుగు, గజము, CC BY-SA 4.0.
