उलूक
ulūka/ú.luː.kɐ/masculine
The English word owl is translated into Sanskrit as उलूक (ulūka). Wiktionary also lists पेचक (pecaka) and घूक (ghūka).
Meaning: bird (noun)
Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| उलूक | ulūka | /ú.luː.kɐ/ (Vedic) /u.l̪uː.kɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
masculine |
| पेचक | pecaka | /pɐ́i̯.t͡ɕɐ.kɐ/ (Vedic) /peː.t͡ɕɐ.kɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
masculine |
| घूक | ghūka | /ɡʱuː.kɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) | masculine |
The word refers to the bird known as an owl and is a masculine noun.
Which one should you use?
There are several nouns used for owl in Sanskrit. उलूक is the default form, while पेचक and घूक serve as alternative nouns. Additionally, कपिञ्जलः is an alternative formal term for owl.
How does it change in a sentence?
For the masculine noun उलूक, the nominative singular form is उलूकः.
How do you pronounce it?
The word ulūka has 3 syllables and is pronounced /ú.luː.kɐ/.
Did you know?
- In ancient Indian literature, the उलूक is often depicted as a symbol of spiritual ignorance or a bird that cannot see the light of truth, reflecting a cultural contrast to the Western view of owls as symbols of wisdom.
- The Sanskrit term उलूक shares an ancient connection with the Latin word 'ulula' and the Greek word 'ololúzō', both of which imitate the owl's cry.
- The term कपिञ्जलः provides a vivid descriptive image, as it is derived from words meaning 'monkey-eyed', comparing the owl's staring eyes to those of a monkey.
Examples in context
- वने एकः उलूकः वसति।vane ekaḥ ulūkaḥ vasati.An owl lives in the forest.
- रात्रि काले उलूकः कूजति।rātri kāle ulūkaḥ kūjati.The owl cries at night.
- सः उलूकः सुन्दरः अस्ति।saḥ ulūkaḥ sundaraḥ asti.That owl is beautiful.
Example conversation
Mira and Aryan are looking at a tree in the forest.
- मीरा Miraआर्यन, तत्र किं अस्ति?āryan, tatra kiṃ asti?Aryan, what is there?
- आर्यन Aryanतत्र एकः उलूकः तिष्ठति।tatra ekaḥ ulūkaḥ tiṣṭhati.An owl is sitting there.
- मीरा Miraकिं सः अतीव सुन्दरः अस्ति?kiṃ saḥ atīva sundaraḥ asti?Is it very beautiful?
- आर्यन Aryanआम्, उलूकः विचित्रः अस्ति।ām, ulūkaḥ vicitraḥ asti.Yes, the owl is strange.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “owl” translations and entries उलूक, पेचक, घूक, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries उलूक, घूक, CC BY-SA 4.0.
