ஆந்தை
āntai/ɑːnd̪ɐɪ̯/
The English word "owl" is translated into Tamil as ஆந்தை (āntai) or கூகை.
Meaning: bird (noun)
Ways to say it
| Tamil | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ஆந்தை | āntai | /ɑːnd̪ɐɪ̯/ |
| கூகை | kūkai | /kuːɡɐɪ̯/ |
Both terms are used to refer to the bird known as an owl.
Which one should you use?
ஆந்தை is the standard, general term for an owl. In contrast, கூகை is a more poetic or literary term.
How do you pronounce it?
āntai (/ɑːnd̪ɐɪ̯/)
Did you know?
- In Tamil folklore, the owl is often associated with bad omens or misfortune, unlike the Western association with wisdom.
- Despite the superstition, the owl is revered in certain goddess-related iconography in South India, representing a vehicle of the divine.
- In some folk interpretations of the word ஆந்தை, it is broken down into 'father' and a deity's name, suggesting a mythological lineage.
Examples in context
- அந்த ஆந்தை பெரியது.andha aandhai periyadhu.That owl is big.
- ஆந்தை இரவில் பறக்கும்.aandhai iravil parakkum.The owl flies at night.
- நான் ஒரு ஆந்தை பார்த்தேன்.naan oru aandhai paarthen.I saw an owl.
Example conversation
Divya and Vijay are looking at a nature book in a park.
- திவ்யா Divyaவிஜய், இந்த ஆந்தை எவ்வளவு அழகாக இருக்கிறது!Vijay, indha aandhai evvalavu azhagaga irukkiradhu!Vijay, how beautiful this owl is!
- விஜய் Vijayஆமாம், அது பார்ப்பதற்கு மிகவும் வித்தியாசமாக உள்ளது.Aamaam, adhu paarppadharku migavum vidhyasamaaga ulladhu.Yes, it looks very different.
- திவ்யா Divyaஇந்த ஆந்தை மரத்தில் அமர்ந்திருக்கிறது.Indha aandhai marathil amarndhirukkiradhu.This owl is sitting on the tree.
- விஜய் Vijayநிச்சயமாக, அது ஒரு அழகான பறவை.Nichayamaaga, adhu oru azhagaana paravai.Certainly, it is a beautiful bird.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “owl” translations and entries ஆந்தை, கூகை, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ஆந்தை, கூகை, CC BY-SA 4.0.
