गौरैया
gauraiyā/ɡɔː.ɾə̯i.jɑː/
The Hindi word for sparrow is गौरैया (gauraiyā).
गौरैया is used to refer generically to any small, nondescript bird.
Meaning: generically, any small, nondescript bird (noun)
Which one should you use?
The word चिड़िया (which translates to bird) is also used to denote sparrows.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced gauraiyā (/ɡɔː.ɾə̯i.jɑː/). It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In many parts of India, you might hear people use the word चिड़िया affectionately to refer to a small child, much like 'little bird' in English.
- In many Indian households, the गौरैया is viewed as a symbol of domesticity and good luck because it is one of the few wild birds that comfortably nests inside human homes.
- The word गौरा in the root of गौरैया is also used as a name for the Hindu goddess Parvati, though the connection here is considered an unknown linguistic coincidence.
Examples in context
- एक गौरैया पेड़ पर बैठी है।Ek gauraiya ped par baithi hai.A sparrow is sitting on the tree.
- क्या आपने उस गौरैया को देखा?Kya aapne us gauraiya ko dekha?Did you see that sparrow?
- गौरैया बहुत छोटी और सुंदर होती है।Gauraiya bahut chhoti aur sundar hoti hai.A sparrow is very small and beautiful.
Example conversation
Rahul and Anjali are looking at a bird on the balcony.
- राहुल Rahulअंजलि, देखो वहाँ एक गौरैया है।Anjali, dekho vahan ek gauraiya hai.Anjali, look, there is a sparrow there.
- अंजलि Anjaliहाँ, वह कितनी छोटी है!haan, vah kitni chhoti hai!Yes, it is so small!
- राहुल Rahulक्या हम उसे दाना दे सकते हैं?kya hum use dana de sakte hain?Can we give it some grain?
- अंजलि Anjaliहाँ, चलो उसे दाना खिलाते हैं।haan, chalo use dana khilate hain.Yes, let's feed it some grain.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry गौरैया, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
