शुक
śuka/ɕu.kɐ/masculine
The Sanskrit word for parrot is शुक (śuka). Wiktionary also lists कीर (kīra).
Meaning: kind of bird (noun)
Ways to say it
| Sanskrit | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| शुक | śuka | /ɕu.kɐ/ (Vedic) /ɕu.kɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) |
masculine |
| कीर | kīra | /kiː.ɾɐ/ (Classical Sanskrit) | masculine |
Both शुक and कीर are masculine nouns used to refer to this kind of bird.
How does it change in a sentence?
When the parrot is the subject of a sentence, you use the nominative singular form शुकः.
How do you pronounce it?
The word śuka is pronounced as śu.kɐ.
Did you know?
- Sanskrit texts sometimes use the parrot as a metaphor for a person who can recite texts perfectly but does not understand their meaning.
- In ancient Indian literature, the शुक is often portrayed as a messenger or a confidant who carries secret letters between lovers.
- The word शुक is a distant relative of the English word 'shout' via the Lithuanian word šaũkti and the Proto-Indo-European root for calling.
Examples in context
- शुकः वृक्षस्य उपरि अस्ति।śukaḥ vṛkṣasya upari asti.The parrot is on the tree.
- शुकः हरितवर्णः अस्ति।śukaḥ haritavarṇaḥ asti.The parrot is green.
- एषः शुकः मधुरं वदति।eṣaḥ śukaḥ madhuraṃ vadati.This parrot speaks sweetly.
Example conversation
Vivan and Ananya are looking at a bird in a garden.
- विवान Vivaanअनन्ये, तत्र पश्य, एकः शुकः अस्ति!Ananye, tatra paśya, ekaḥ śukaḥ asti!Ananya, look there, there is a parrot!
- अनन्या Ananyaआम्, शुकः अतीव सुन्दरः अस्ति।ām, śukaḥ atīva sundaraḥ asti.Yes, the parrot is very beautiful.
- विवान Vivaanकिं शुकः फलानि खादति?kiṃ śukaḥ phalāni khādati?Does the parrot eat fruits?
- अनन्या Ananyaआम्, शुकः फलानि बहु इच्छति।ām, śukaḥ phalāni bahu icchati.Yes, the parrot likes fruits a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “parrot” translations and entries शुक, कीर, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries कीर, शुक, CC BY-SA 4.0.
