उल्लू
ullū/ʊl.luː/masculine
The Hindi word for owl is उल्लू (ullū). Wiktionary also lists पेचक (pecak) and उलूक (ulūk).
Meaning: bird (noun)
Ways to say it
| Hindi | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| उल्लू | ullū | /ʊl.luː/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| पेचक | pecak | masculine | |
| उलूक | ulūk | /ʊ.luːk/ (Hindi, Standard) | masculine |
| कुचकुचवा | kuckucvā | masculine | |
| खुसट | khusaṭ | masculine | |
| घूक | ghūk | masculine | |
| घूघू | ghūghū | masculine | |
| घुघ्घू | ghughghū | masculine | |
| घुग्घू | ghugghū | masculine |
The word उल्लू refers to the bird. In colloquial Hindi, calling someone an उल्लू is a common way to call them a fool or an idiot.
How do you pronounce it?
The word उल्लू is pronounced /ʊl.luː/. It has 2 syllables.
When do people say it?
The idiom उल्लू बनाना (to make an owl) is used to mean making a fool out of someone.
Did you know?
- In Hindu mythology, the उल्लू is the vahana, or divine vehicle, of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. This creates a fascinating contrast between the bird's religious status and its colloquial use as a term for a fool.
- While 'fool' is the common metaphor for an उल्लू in Hindi, in many English-speaking cultures, the owl is viewed as a symbol of wisdom rather than stupidity.
- The many different forms listed, such as घूघू and घुघ्घू, are often used as onomatopoeic words to mimic the actual sound of the bird's call in local dialects.
Examples in context
- उल्लू रात में चुपचाप उड़ता है।The owl silently flies at night.
- पेड़ पर एक उल्लू बैठा है।Ped par ek ullu baitha hai.An owl is sitting on the tree.
- उल्लू रात में जागता है।Ullu raat mein jaagta hai.The owl stays awake at night.
- क्या आपने रात में उल्लू देखा?Kya aapne raat mein ullu dekha?Did you see an owl at night?
Example conversation
Priya and Amit are looking at a bird in the park.
- अमित Amitप्रिया, वह क्या है?Priyā, vah kyā hai?Priya, what is that?
- प्रिया Priyaवह एक उल्लू है, अमित।Vah ēk ullū hai, Amit.That is an owl, Amit.
- अमित Amitयह कितना सुंदर है!Yah kitnā sundar hai!It is so beautiful!
- प्रिया Priyaहाँ, यह बहुत प्यारा है।Hā̃, yah bahut pyārā hai.Yes, it is very cute.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “owl” translations and entries उल्लू, उलूक, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
