ಕುರಿ
kuri/ku.ɾi/
The Kannada word for sheep is ಕುರಿ (kuri).
ಕುರಿ refers to the animal (noun).
Meaning: animal (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ku.ɾi/. It has two syllables and is romanized as kuri.
Did you know?
- The word ಕುರಿ is also used colloquially to describe a person who is easily led or lacks individual willpower. It serves as a metaphor for someone following others blindly without question.
- The spelling of the ancient form ಕುಱಿ uses a special retroflex way of pronouncing the 'r' sound that has since simplified in modern ಕುರಿ.
- The word ಕುರಿ is often paired with ಮೇಕೆ (mēke) in daily speech, though textbooks often separate 'sheep' and 'goat', while locals frequently group them together as a single livestock category.
Examples in context
- ನನಗೆ ಒಂದು ಕುರಿ ಬೇಕು.I want a sheep.
- ಕುರಿ ಬಿಳಿ ಬಣ್ಣದಲ್ಲಿದೆ.kuri biḷi baṇṇadallide.The sheep is white.
- ನಾನು ಕುರಿಗಳನ್ನು ನೋಡಿದೆ.nānu kurigaḷannu nōḍide.I saw the sheep.
- ಕುರಿ ಹುಲ್ಲು ತಿನ್ನುತ್ತಿದೆ.kuri huḷlu tinnuttide.The sheep is eating grass.
Example conversation
Rahul and Kavya are visiting a farm.
- ರಾಹುಲ್ Rahulಅಲ್ಲಿ ಒಂದು ಕುರಿ ಇದೆ.alli ondu kuri ide.There is a sheep over there.
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಅದು ತುಂಬಾ ಮುದ್ದಾಗಿದೆ.adu tumbā muddāgide.It is very cute.
- ರಾಹುಲ್ Rahulಅದಕ್ಕೆ ಎಷ್ಟೊಂದು ಉಣ್ಣೆ ಇದೆ.adakke eṣṭondu uṇṇe ide.It has so much wool.
- ಕಾವ್ಯ Kavyaಹೌದು, ರಾಹುಲ್.haudu, rāhul.Yes, Rahul.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sheep” translations and entries ಕುರಿ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ಕುರಿ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
