Animals

1. कुत्रा

   kutra

   Dog

   Usage

   Street dogs are common in India. "Kutra chaavlaa" means a dog bit me

2. मांजर

   maanjar

   Cat

   Usage

   For the cat living at your guesthouse, or to say you are allergic

3. पक्षी

   pakshi

   Bird

   Usage

   The general word for birds — handy when talking about birdwatching

4. मासा

   maasa

   Fish

   Usage

   Used for both the animal and the dish. Fish is a speciality on the Konkan coast

5. घोडा

   ghoda

   Horse

   Usage

   For pony rides and horse carts, common around Maharashtra's hill forts

6. गाय

   gaay

   Cow

   Usage

   Sacred in Hinduism. Never shoo or handle a cow even when it blocks the road, and read the situation before photographing one

7. बैल

   bail

   Bull / Ox

   Usage

   Pulls carts in villages. At the Pola festival oxen are decorated and honoured — do not touch them then

8. म्हैस

   mhais

   Buffalo

   Usage

   Kept for milk — most Indian milk is buffalo milk. Herds often block the road

9. डुक्कर

   dukkar

   Pig

   Usage

   Useful when stating dietary restrictions. Pork is "dukraanchan maans"

10. कोंबडी

    kombdi

    Chicken

    Usage

    For ordering chicken dishes; used for both the bird and the meat

11. बदक

    badak

    Duck

    Usage

    Seen on ponds and waterways; rarely on menus

12. बकरी

    bakri

    Goat

    Usage

    Wanders freely even in towns. Indian "mutton" is usually goat

13. मेंढी

    mendhi

    Sheep

    Usage

    Flocks can block the road; common in the grazing belt of western Maharashtra

14. हत्ती

    hatti

    Elephant

    Usage

    Seen at temple festivals and in reserves. Always follow the handler's instructions

15. माकड

    maakad

    Monkey

    Usage

    Snatches food and bags at temples and forts. Avoid eye contact and hold your bag in front of you

16. वाघ

    vaagh

    Tiger

    Usage

    Found in reserves such as Tadoba and Pench — the word to use when booking a safari

17. साप

    saap

    Snake

    Usage

    Possible in villages and grassland. Go to hospital at once; "saap chaavlaa" means a snake bit me

18. नाग

    naag

    Cobra

    Usage

    Venomous, and also worshipped at the Nag Panchami festival. Keep away and call for help

19. मगर

    magar

    Crocodile

    Usage

    Lives in rivers and reservoirs — worth asking about before swimming

20. कासव

    kaasav

    Turtle

    Usage

    Sea turtle hatchings are watched on the Konkan coast

21. बेडूक

    bedook

    Frog

    Usage

    Calls loudly through the monsoon — handy for explaining a noisy night

22. पाल

    paal

    House gecko

    Usage

    Common on guesthouse walls. Harmless and eats insects — no need to chase it out

23. सरडा

    sarda

    Garden lizard

    Usage

    The lizard on garden walls, distinct from the indoor gecko "paal"

24. उंदीर

    undeer

    Rat / Mouse

    Usage

    Grounds for asking to change rooms. The word covers both rats and mice

25. ससा

    sasa

    Rabbit

    Usage

    Seen as a pet or at a zoo, and in the wild on grassland

26. वटवाघूळ

    vatvaaghool

    Bat

    Usage

    Flies around old forts and big trees at dusk. Do not handle them

27. डास

    daas

    Mosquito

    Usage

    Carries dengue and malaria. Show this when asking for a coil or a screen

28. झुरळ

    zural

    Cockroach

    Usage

    The word to report at your guesthouse when asking for a clean or a room change

29. मुंगी

    mungi

    Ant

    Usage

    Swarms on food left out — keep sweets sealed

30. मधमाशी

    madhamaashi

    Bee

    Usage

    Mention it in advance if you are allergic. Honey is "madh"

31. कोळी

    koli

    Spider

    Usage

    Often in corners of rooms. Mostly harmless, but you can ask for a clean

32. फुलपाखरू

    phulpaakharoo

    Butterfly

    Usage

    The Western Ghats are rich in butterflies, especially after the rains

33. माशी

    maashi

    Fly

    Usage

    Gathers on street food — use it when asking for a cover over your plate

34. मोर

    mor

    Peacock

    Usage

    India's national bird, seen in villages and reserves and noisy before the rains

35. गाढव

    gaadhav

    Donkey

    Usage

    Used to carry building materials. Aimed at a person it means "fool", so keep it to the animal

36. खार

    khaar

    Squirrel

    Usage

    The three-striped palm squirrel, common even in city parks

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