Animals communicate in various ways, and the sounds they make can be quite different across languages. For instance, a dog barks as “woof” in English, “guau” in Spanish, and “ワンワン” (wan wan) in Japanese. A cat meows as “miaow” in English, “miau” in Spanish, and “ニャー” (nyaa) in Japanese. Similarly, a rooster crows as “cock-a-doodle-doo” in English and “qui-qui-ri-quí” in Spanish, while a cow moos as “moo” in English and “mu” in Spanish. These unique onomatopoeic words reflect how different cultures interpret animal sounds, adding a playful layer to how we relate to the animal kingdom. Whether it’s the “oink” of a pig or the “neigh” of a horse, animal noises often provide insight into linguistic creativity and the way sounds are perceived across the globe.
Dog
- English: woof / bark / arf / ruff
- Spanish: guau guau
- French: ouaf ouaf
- German: wau wau
- Italian: bau bau
- Japanese: ワンワン (wan wan)
- Korean: 멍멍 (meong meong)
- Russian: гав гав (gav gav)
- Arabic: هو هو (haw haw)
- Hindi: भौं भौं (bhaun bhaun)
Cat
- English: meow
- Spanish: miau
- French: miaou
- German: miau
- Italian: miao
- Japanese: ニャー (nyaa)
- Korean: 야옹 (ya-ong)
- Russian: мяу (myau)
- Arabic: مياو (miaaw)
- Turkish: miyav
Rooster
- English: cock-a-doodle-doo
- Spanish: quiquiriquí
- French: cocorico
- German: kikeriki
- Italian: chicchirichì
- Japanese: コケコッコー (kokekokkō)
- Korean: 꼬끼오 (kkokkio)
- Russian: кукареку (kukareku)
- Hindi: कुकड़ू कूँ (kukkadū kū̃)
- Arabic: قوقو (qūqū)
Cow
- English: moo
- Spanish: mu
- French: meuh
- German: muh
- Italian: mu
- Japanese: モー (mō)
- Korean: 음메 (eum-meh)
- Russian: му (moo)
- Hindi: हम्भा (hambhā)
- Arabic: مووو (mūūū)
Pig
- English: oink
- Spanish: oinc oinc
- French: groin groin
- German: grunz
- Italian: oink
- Japanese: ブーブー (bū bū)
- Korean: 꿀꿀 (kkul kkul)
- Russian: хрю хрю (khryu khryu)
- Hindi: grrr or grunt (no standard)
- Arabic: نخ نخ (nakh nakh)
Horse
- English: neigh
- Spanish: jiiiii
- French: hiiii
- German: wiehern
- Italian: nitrito
- Japanese: ヒヒーン (hihiin)
- Korean: 히잉 (hi-ing)
- Russian: и-го-го (i-go-go)
- Arabic: صهيل (saheel)
- Hindi: हिनहिनाहट (hinhināhaṭ)
Sheep
- English: baa
- Spanish: bee
- French: bêê
- German: mäh
- Italian: bee
- Japanese: メー (mē)
- Korean: 매에 (mae)
- Russian: бе-е-е (be-e-e)
- Arabic: مئاء (mi’ā’)
- Hindi: बकर-बकर (bakra-bakra)
Chicken
- English: cluck
- Spanish: cloqueo
- French: cot cot cot
- German: gackern
- Italian: chicchirichì
- Japanese: コケコッコー (kokekokkō)
- Korean: 꼬꼬댁 (kkokkodaek)
- Russian: кукушка (kukuška)
- Arabic: دجاجة (dajaja)
- Hindi: बटेर (baṭer)
Bird
- English: chirp / tweet
- Spanish: trino
- French: gazouiller
- German: zwitschern
- Italian: cinguettare
- Japanese: チュンチュン (chun chun)
- Korean: 짹짹 (jjaek jjaek)
- Russian: чирикать (chirikat’)
- Arabic: تغريد (taghrīd)
- Hindi: चहचहाना (chahchahānā)
Frog
- English: ribbit
- Spanish: croar
- French: coasser
- German: quaken
- Italian: gracidare
- Japanese: ケロケロ (kerokero)
- Korean: 개굴개굴 (gaegul gaegul)
- Russian: квакать (kvakat’)
- Arabic: ضفدع (ḍifdaʿ)
- Hindi: टर्र-टर्र (ṭarṛ-ṭarṛ)
Bee
- English: buzz
- Spanish: zumbar
- French: bourdonner
- German: summen
- Italian: ronzare
- Japanese: ブンブン (bun bun)
- Korean: 윙윙 (wing wing)
- Russian: жужжать (zhuzhzhat’)
- Arabic: طنين (ṭanīn)
- Hindi: भिनभिनाना (bhinbhinānā)
🐺 Wolf
- English: howl
- Spanish: aullido
- French: hurlement
- German: heulen
- Italian: ululato
- Japanese: ヒュー (hyū)
- Korean: 울음소리 (ureum sori)
- Russian: вой (voy)
- Arabic: عواء (ʿawāʾ)
- Hindi: दहाड़ (dahāṛ)