Animal names are often the first Malayalam words children learn, and they’re everywhere in Kerala life, from the temple elephant to the crow on the wall. This guide covers pets and farm animals, wild animals, birds and small creatures, with example sentences you can use with kids. Each word comes with the Malayalam script, an easy romanised spelling and the English meaning.
Dog, cat and farm animals
Patti is what everyone says for dog; naaya is the more formal word. Mrugam means animal.
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| പട്ടി / നായ | Patti / Naaya | Dog |
| പൂച്ച | Poocha | Cat |
| പശു | Pashu | Cow |
| ആട് | Aadu | Goat |
| കോഴി | Kozhi | Hen / chicken |
| താറാവ് | Thaaraavu | Duck |
| ദേ ഒരു പൂച്ച! | De oru poocha! | Look, a cat! |
| ആ പട്ടി കടിക്കുമോ? | Aa patti kadikkumo? | Does that dog bite? |
Wild animals
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| ആന | Aana | Elephant |
| കടുവ | Kaduva | Tiger |
| സിംഹം | Simham | Lion |
| കുരങ്ങ് | Kurangu | Monkey |
| മാൻ | Maan | Deer |
| കരടി | Karadi | Bear |
| പാമ്പ് | Paambu | Snake |
Birds and small creatures
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| പക്ഷി | Pakshi | Bird |
| കാക്ക | Kaakka | Crow |
| തത്ത | Thatha | Parrot |
| മയിൽ | Mayil | Peacock |
| മീൻ | Meen | Fish |
| തവള | Thavala | Frog |
| ആമ | Aama | Tortoise / turtle |
| പൂമ്പാറ്റ | Poombaatta | Butterfly |
Animal sentences for kids
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| അത് എന്ത് മൃഗമാ? | Athu enthu mrugamaa? | What animal is that? |
| എന്റെ വീട്ടിൽ ഒരു പൂച്ചയുണ്ട് | Ente veettil oru poochayundu | We have a cat at home |
| നോക്ക്, ഒരു ആന! | Nokku, oru aana! | Look, an elephant! |
| പട്ടിയെ തൊടല്ലേ | Pattiye thodalle | Don’t touch the dog |
For more first words for children, see teaching kids Malayalam.
Elephants in Kerala
The elephant (aana) is the state animal of Kerala and a symbol of its festivals: decorated elephants lead temple processions such as Thrissur Pooram. Children grow up with stories and songs about aana, which makes it one of the most loved words in the language.
Frequently asked questions
What is dog called in Malayalam?
Dog is “patti” in everyday speech, or “naaya” (നായ) more formally.
What is cat called in Malayalam?
Cat is “poocha” (പൂച്ച).
What is elephant called in Malayalam?
Elephant is “aana” (ആന), the state animal of Kerala.
What is animal called in Malayalam?
Animal is “mrugam” (മൃഗം); bird is “pakshi”.
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