How to Say “Emu” in Noongar

By Joyce Amanda • Updated October 5, 2026

waitj

The Noongar word for emu is waitj.

waitj is a noun used to refer to the bird species Dromaius novaehollandiae.

Meaning: Dromaius novaehollandiae (noun)

Did you know?

The behavior of the waitj during the season of Karda is used as a living map to help find water sources.
The behavior of the waitj is a key indicator for the transitions between the seasons of Birak and Bunal in the Noongar six-season calendar.
The word 'waitj' can be part of complex kinship-based storytelling, where the behavior of the bird reflects human social structures.

Example conversation

Daniel and Jessica are walking through the bush.

Daniel

Koorla, waitj!
Look, an emu!
Jessica

Waitj koorta karda.
That emu is big.
Daniel

Waitj karda ngat.
The emu is fast.

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About The Author

Joyce Amanda

Hi, I'm Joyce! I'm a linguistics enthusiast who enjoys exploring and teaching about diverse languages and cultures. When I'm not writing comprehensive and engaging guides on pronunciation or regional expressions, I dive into coding - Ada Lovelace is my inspiration. I'm also a self-professed foodie and take pleasure in hunting down authentic recipes - especially Korean - and ingredients like doenjang. I have also developed a real fondness for Noongar, and I now write guides on how to say everyday words in Noongar. These interests fuel my writing, helping me bring you thorough, practical and engaging content.

Joyce AmandaHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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