со́ва
sóvafeminine
The English word "owl" is со́ва (sóva) in Bulgarian.
со́ва is a noun used to refer to the bird known as an owl.
Meaning: bird (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
со́ва is a feminine noun. To refer to a specific owl, use the definite form со́вата. To refer to multiple owls, use the plural form со́ви.
How do you pronounce it?
sóva
Did you know?
- In some Bulgarian regional superstitions, a person might avoid saying the word со́ва out loud inside a house to prevent bringing bad news.
- In Bulgarian folklore, the presence of an owl is often viewed as an omen of bad luck or even death, which is quite different from the Western association of owls with wisdom.
- The Bulgarian onomatopoeia for an owl's call is not the English 'hoo', but rather a phonetic representation that sounds quite different to the ear.
Examples in context
- Днес видях един прекрасен филин в гората.Today, I saw a beautiful owl in the forest.
- Тази со́ва е много красива.Tazi sova e mnogo krasiva.This owl is very beautiful.
- Видях една голяма со́ва в парка.Vidyah edna golyama sova v parka.I saw a large owl in the park.
- Со́вата е нощна птица.Sovata e noshtna ptitsa.The owl is a nocturnal bird.
Example conversation
Elena and Dimitar are walking in the forest at dusk.
- Елена ElenaЧуваш ли нещо, Димитър?Chuvash li neshto, Dimitar?Do you hear something, Dimitar?
- Димитър DimitarДа, мисля че е со́ва.Da, mislya che e sova.Yes, I think it is an owl.
- Елена ElenaКъде е тя?Kade e tya?Where is it?
- Димитър DimitarВиж, со́вата е на дървото.Vizh, sovata e na darvoto.Look, the owl is on the tree.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “owl” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
