ਉੱਲੂ
ullu
The Punjabi word for owl is ਉੱਲੂ (ullu).
While ਉੱਲੂ literally refers to the bird, it is frequently used idiomatically to call someone a fool or an idiot.
Meaning: bird (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
ullu
When do people say it?
Because the term is often used to describe someone as foolish, be aware of the idiomatic weight the word carries beyond its literal meaning as a bird.
Did you know?
- While the bird is a symbol of wisdom in many Western traditions, in Punjabi culture, the word ਉੱਲੂ is almost exclusively associated with stupidity and bad luck.
- The phrase ਉੱਲੂ ਬਣਾਉਣਾ literally means 'to make an owl' but actually means 'to trick' or 'to prank' someone.
- In Punjabi culture, the ਉੱਲੂ is often seen as a harbinger of bad luck or misfortune if one flies into a house.
Examples in context
- ਉੱਲੂ ਬਣਾਉਣਾTo make a fool of someone
- ਉੱਲੂ ਇੱਕ ਰਾਤਰੀ ਪੰਛੀ ਹੈ।ullū ik rātrī panhchī hai.An owl is a nocturnal bird.
- ਮੈਂ ਦਰੱਖਤ ਉੱਤੇ ਉੱਲੂ ਦੇਖਿਆ।maiṃ darakhat utte ullū dekhīā.I saw an owl on the tree.
- ਉੱਲੂ ਦੀਆਂ ਅੱਖਾਂ ਵੱਡੀਆਂ ਹੁੰਦੀਆਂ ਹਨ।ullū dīāṃ akkhāṃ vaḍīāṃ hundīāṃ han.Owls have large eyes.
Example conversation
Herman and Kiran are sitting in a garden at night.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਕੀ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਉੱਲੂ ਦੀ ਆਵਾਜ਼ ਸੁਣਾਈ ਦਿੱਤੀ?kī tainū ullū dī āvāz sunāī dittī?Did you hear the owl's sound?
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਹਾਂ, ਉੱਲੂ ਉੱਥੇ ਹੀ ਹੈ।hāṃ, ullū utthe hī hai.Yes, the owl is right there.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਉਹ ਕਿੰਨਾ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਉੱਲੂ ਹੈ!oh kinnā sundar ullū hai!What a beautiful owl it is!
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਹਾਂ, ਇਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਸ਼ਾਂਤ ਹੈ।hāṃ, ih bahut śānt hai.Yes, it is very calm.
