Punjabi Animal Names for Kids
Learn the names of common animals in Punjabi with Gurmukhi script and fun pronunciation guides.
Kids love animals — and learning their Punjabi names is a great way to build vocabulary while having fun. Here are common animals your child will encounter in stories, at the zoo, and in everyday life.
Pet & Farm Animals
ਕੁੱਤਾ
Kutta
Dog
ਬਿੱਲੀ
Billi
Cat
ਗਾਂ
Gaa
Cow
ਘੋੜਾ
Ghora
Horse
ਮੁਰਗੀ
Murgi
Hen
ਮੁਰਗਾ
Murga
Rooster
ਬੱਕਰੀ
Bakkri
Goat
ਖਰਗੋਸ਼
Khargosh
Rabbit
Wild Animals
ਸ਼ੇਰ
Sher
Lion
ਹਾਥੀ
Haathi
Elephant
ਬਾਂਦਰ
Baandar
Monkey
ਰਿੱਛ
Richh
Bear
ਡੱਡੂ
Daddu
Frog
ਸੱਪ
Sapp
Snake
ਮੱਛੀ
Machhi
Fish
ਚਿੜੀ
Chirhi
Sparrow
Insects & Small Creatures
ਤਿਤਲੀ
Titli
Butterfly
ਮੱਖੀ
Makkhi
Fly
ਮਧੂ ਮੱਖੀ
Madhu Makkhi
Honey Bee
ਕੀੜੀ
Keerhi
Ant
Pronunciation Tips
- Kutta — Double “tt” is a hard retroflex sound (tongue curls back to touch the roof of the mouth)
- Billi — Like “Billy” with a softer “l” sound
- Sher — Sounds like “share” but shorter. This is the same word used in “Singh” (lion) — a Sikh surname!
- Chirhi — The “rh” is a flapped sound unique to Punjabi
Animals in Gurbani & Sikh Culture
- The Sher (ਸ਼ੇਰ) — lion — is closely tied to Sikh identity. “Singh” means lion, and “Kaur” means princess or lioness.
- In the story of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, there is a famous story about a Haathi (ਹਾਥੀ) — elephant — that was sent to trample Guru Nanak, but instead bowed before him.
- The Mor (ਮੋਰ) — peacock — is the national bird of India and appears in many Punjabi folk songs.
Practice Activity
Play an animal guessing game:
- Make an animal sound and ask: “Eh ki jaanvar hai?” (What animal is this?)
- Point to animals in a book: “Eh Sher hai” (This is a lion)
- Visit a zoo and name every animal in Punjabi!
More Punjabi Vocabulary
- Gurmukhi Picture Dictionary — Browse 570+ Punjabi words with pictures, Gurmukhi script, and pronunciation
- Learn to Count in Punjabi — Numbers 1-10 in Gurmukhi with pronunciation guides
- Common Punjabi Phrases for Kids — Essential greetings, polite words, and everyday phrases
- My Family in Punjabi — Punjabi words for family members
- The Colors of Punjabi — Learn the names of common colors in Punjabi
- The Light of Truth: The Life of Guru Nanak Dev Ji — Read about the famous elephant story from Guru Nanak’s life
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to questions parents often ask — and great conversation starters.
What is the Punjabi word for lion?
Lion is Sher (ਸ਼ੇਰ). The Sikh name Singh also means lion.
How do you say dog and cat in Punjabi?
Dog is Kutta (ਕੁੱਤਾ) and cat is Billi (ਬਿੱਲੀ).
Are there animals in Sikh stories?
Yes. A well-known story from Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s life tells of an elephant (Haathi) that bowed before him.