Animals

1. ਕੁੱਤਾ

   kuttaa

   Dog

   Usage

   Street dogs are common. "Kutte ne vaddhiaa" means a dog bit me

2. ਬਿੱਲੀ

   billi

   Cat

   Usage

   For the resident guesthouse cat, or to say you are allergic

3. ਪੰਛੀ

   panchhi

   Bird

   Usage

   The general word for birds — useful at wetlands such as Harike

4. ਮੱਛੀ

   machhi

   Fish

   Usage

   Used for the animal and the dish. Amritsari fried fish is a local speciality

5. ਘੋੜਾ

   ghodaa

   Horse

   Usage

   For carriages and riding; Nihang horsemanship is a festival highlight

6. ਗਾਂ

   gaan

   Cow

   Usage

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

7. ਬਲਦ

   balad

   Ox / Bull

   Usage

   Pulls carts in villages, though tractors have largely taken over

8. ਮੱਝ

   majjh

   Buffalo

   Usage

   The mainstay of Punjab's dairy — lassi and butter both come from buffalo milk

9. ਸੂਰ

   soor

   Pig

   Usage

   Useful for stating dietary limits; few places serve pork

10. ਮੁਰਗ਼ੀ

    murgi

    Chicken

    Usage

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

11. ਬੱਤਖ

    battakh

    Duck

    Usage

    Seen on ponds and wetlands; rarely on menus

12. ਬੱਕਰੀ

    bakri

    Goat

    Usage

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

13. ਭੇਡ

    bhed

    Sheep

    Usage

    Grazed in the hills; flocks can block the road

14. ਊਠ

    ooth

    Camel

    Usage

    Seen in the drier south and near the Rajasthan border, often pulling carts

15. ਹਾਥੀ

    haathi

    Elephant

    Usage

    Seen at festivals and zoos — follow the handler's instructions

16. ਬਾਂਦਰ

    baandar

    Monkey

    Usage

    Snatches food and bags at temples and in the hills. Avoid eye contact and hold your bag in front

17. ਸ਼ੇਰ

    sher

    Tiger / Lion

    Usage

    In Punjabi this word covers both tiger and lion; say "baagh" if you specifically mean a tiger

18. ਸੱਪ

    sapp

    Snake

    Usage

    Possible in villages and fields; go to hospital at once if bitten

19. ਨਾਗ

    naag

    Cobra

    Usage

    Venomous. Keep away and call for help

20. ਮਗਰਮੱਛ

    magarmachh

    Crocodile

    Usage

    Sometimes present in rivers and canals — worth asking about before swimming

21. ਕੱਛੂ

    kachhoo

    Turtle / Tortoise

    Usage

    Seen in rivers and ponds, and kept as a pet

22. ਡੱਡੂ

    daddoo

    Frog

    Usage

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

23. ਕਿਰਲੀ

    kirli

    Lizard / Gecko

    Usage

    Common on guesthouse walls. Harmless and eats insects

24. ਚੂਹਾ

    choohaa

    Rat / Mouse

    Usage

    Grounds for asking to change rooms

25. ਖਰਗੋਸ਼

    khargosh

    Rabbit

    Usage

    Seen as a pet or at a zoo

26. ਚਮਗਿੱਦੜ

    chamgiddar

    Bat

    Usage

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

27. ਮੱਛਰ

    machhar

    Mosquito

    Usage

    Carries dengue. Show it when asking for a coil or screen

28. ਕਾਕਰੋਚ

    kaakroch

    Cockroach

    Usage

    The English loan is the everyday word. Report it when asking for a clean or a room change

29. ਕੀੜੀ

    keedi

    Ant

    Usage

    Swarms on sweets left out — keep them sealed

30. ਸ਼ਹਿਦ ਦੀ ਮੱਖੀ

    shahid di makkhi

    Bee

    Usage

    Literally "honey fly". Mention it in advance if you are allergic

31. ਮੱਖੀ

    makkhi

    Fly

    Usage

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

32. ਮੱਕੜੀ

    makkdi

    Spider

    Usage

    Often in room corners; mostly harmless, but you can ask for a clean

33. ਤਿਤਲੀ

    titli

    Butterfly

    Usage

    Common in fields and gardens after the rains

34. ਮੋਰ

    mor

    Peacock

    Usage

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

35. ਕਾਂ

    kaan

    Crow

    Usage

    Everywhere in every town — it will take food left outside

36. ਕਬੂਤਰ

    kabootar

    Pigeon

    Usage

    Flocks at gurdwaras and public squares, where people often feed them

37. ਖੋਤਾ

    khotaa

    Donkey

    Usage

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

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