குரங்கு
kuraṅku/kʊɾɐŋɡɯ/
The Tamil word for monkey is குரங்கு (kuraṅku).
The term குரங்கு refers to a primate. It is also related to the verb நோண்டு, which means to meddle or mess with something.
Meaning: primate (noun)
Which one should you use?
While குரங்கு is the standard term, Vaanar can also be used to refer to a monkey in a formal context.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /kʊɾɐŋɡɯ/ (kuraṅku).
Did you know?
- The word Vaanar is heavily associated with the monkey god Hanuman and the epic Ramayana, making it sound more noble than the common term.
- The word குரங்கு may be onomatopoeic, meaning it was originally inspired by the gibbering or chattering sounds that monkeys make.
- Because குரங்கு is linked to the verb meaning 'to meddle', calling someone a monkey in Tamil can specifically imply they are being nosy or fidgety.
Examples in context
- அந்தக் குரங்கு மரத்தில் ஏறிக்கொண்டது.andhak kurangu marathil eri-kondadhu.That monkey climbed the tree.
- காட்டில் நிறைய குரங்குகள் உள்ளன.kaattil niraiya kurangukal ullana.There are many monkeys in the forest.
- குரங்கு பழத்தை சாப்பிடுகிறது.kurangu pazhathai saapidugiradhu.The monkey is eating a fruit.
Example conversation
Priya and Vijay are visiting a zoo.
- பிரியா Priyaவிஜய், அங்கப் பாருங்க ஒரு குரங்கு!Vijay, angap pārunga oru kurangu!Vijay, look there, a monkey!
- விஜய் Vijayஆமாம் பிரியா, அது ரொம்ப வேகமாக இருக்கிறது.Āmām Priya, adhu romba vēgamaaga irukkiradhu.Yes Priya, it is very fast.
- பிரியா Priyaஅந்தக் குரங்கு மரத்தில் ஏறுகிறது.Andhak kurangu marathil ērugiradhu.That monkey is climbing the tree.
- விஜய் Vijayஅது பார்க்க ரொம்ப அழகாக இருக்கிறது.Adhu pārkka romba azhagaaga irukkiradhu.It looks very cute.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “monkey” translations and entries குரங்கு, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries குரங்கு, CC BY-SA 4.0.
