కోతి
kōti/koːt̪i/
The English word 'monkey' is translated into Telugu as కోతి (kōti). Wiktionary also lists వానరము (vānaramu).
Meaning: primate (noun)
Ways to say it
| Telugu | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| కోతి | kōti | /koːt̪i/ |
| వానరము | vānaramu | /ʋaːnaɾamu/ |
Which one should you use?
While కోతి is the standard term, వానరము is a more formal or literary version often found in scientific contexts or classical literature. The term Kapi also serves as a formal way to refer to a monkey.
How do you pronounce it?
kōti
Did you know?
- The formal term వానరము is a compound of Sanskrit roots meaning 'man of the woods', which describes the creature through its habitat rather than its biological family.
- In some rural Telugu traditions, monkeys are viewed as representatives of the god Hanuman, meaning the animal is often fed out of religious devotion.
- While కోతి is the common word for the animal, in many Telugu dialects and informal speech, the word is used as a lighthearted insult for someone being silly or foolish.
Examples in context
- ఆ కపి ఎంత మంచిగా ఆడుకోతుంది!That monkey plays very nicely!
- ఆ కోతి అరటిపండు తింటోంది.aa kōti baraṭipaṇḍu tiṇṭōndi.That monkey is eating a banana.
- చెట్టు మీద ఒక కోతి ఉంది.ceṭṭu mīda oka kōti undi.There is a monkey on the tree.
- కోతి చాలా వేగంగా దూకుతుంది.kōti cālā vēgaṅgā dūkutundi.The monkey jumps very fast.
Example conversation
Kavya and Sai are walking in a park and spot an animal.
- కావ్య Kavyaసాయి, అక్కడ చూడు, ఒక కోతి ఉంది!Sai, akkaḍa chūḍu, oka kōti undi!Sai, look over there, there is a monkey!
- సాయి Saiఅవును కావ్య, అది చాలా బాగుంది.Avunu Kavya, adi cālā bāgundi.Yes Kavya, it is very nice.
- కావ్య Kavyaఅది మన వైపు చూస్తోంది.Adi mana vaipu chūstōndi.It is looking at us.
- సాయి Saiఅమ్మో, అది పరుగెత్తుతోంది!Ammo, adi parugettutōndi!Oh no, it is running away!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “monkey” translations and entries కోతి, వానరము, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries కోతి, వానరము, CC BY-SA 4.0.
