Animals

24 phrases · Balinese with romanization, English and audio

  1. Cicing

    Dog

    Usage

    The animal dog. Never say it to a person, where it is an insult.

    Grammar Note

    Cicing is the andap word for dog; the polite word is asu. Aimed at a person it is an insult, so use it only for the animal.

  2. Meong

    Cat

    Usage

    Cat, commonly seen around temples and eateries.

    Grammar Note

    Meong is the dictionary word for cat; the casual form is meng.

  3. Kedis

    Bird

    Usage

    Birds in general, for birdwatching or rice-field walks.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary gives "burung" (bird) in its Indonesian definition; other senses (the number two, munia) are also listed.

  4. Be

    Fish

    Usage

    Fish, also fish as a dish. At meals it is followed by a type, as in be pasih (sea fish).

    Grammar Note

    Be mainly means fish in the dictionary but can also mean meat, eggs or other side dishes.

  5. Jaran

    Horse

    Usage

    Horse, for carriages or riding.

    Grammar Note

    Jaran is the dictionary word for horse. Indonesian kuda means how many in Balinese, so avoid it here.

  6. Sampi

    Cow

    Usage

    Cow or cattle; as food it is be sampi.

    Grammar Note

    Sampi is the andap word for cow.

  7. Kebo

    Water buffalo

    Usage

    Water buffalo, used in rice fields.

    Grammar Note

    Kebo is level-neutral for buffalo in the dictionary.

  8. Bawi

    Pig

    Usage

    Pig; the polite word, fine in food contexts.

    Grammar Note

    Bawi is the alus mider word for pig; the casual celeng is an insult when aimed at a person.

  9. Siap

    Chicken

    Usage

    Chicken. Do not confuse it with Indonesian siap (ready). As food it is be siap.

    Grammar Note

    Siap means chicken in Balinese, unrelated to the Indonesian word for ready.

  10. Bebek

    Duck

    Usage

    Duck, also the word in the famous bebek dishes of Ubud.

    Grammar Note

    Bebek is level-neutral for duck in the dictionary.

  11. Kambing

    Goat

    Usage

    Goat.

    Grammar Note

    Kambing is a dictionary headword, identical to the Indonesian word.

  12. Bojog

    Monkey

    Usage

    Monkey, e.g. for the monkeys at forest temples.

    Grammar Note

    Bojog is the dictionary word for monkey; lutung is listed with the same sense.

  13. Lelipi

    Snake

    Usage

    To warn others when you see a snake.

    Grammar Note

    Lelipi is level-neutral for snake in the dictionary; lipi and ula are listed too.

  14. Penyu

    Sea turtle

    Usage

    Sea turtle, for turtle conservation sites.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary glosses penyu as turtle (sea turtle in Indonesian); land and freshwater turtles are kekua.

  15. Katak

    Frog

    Usage

    Frogs calling in rice fields and on rainy nights.

    Grammar Note

    Katak is the dictionary word for frog.

  16. Cecak

    House gecko

    Usage

    The small gecko on walls and ceilings; harmless.

    Grammar Note

    Cecak is the andap word for small gecko in the dictionary; cekcek, from its call, is listed as a synonym.

  17. Kadal

    Lizard

    Usage

    The lizard seen in gardens and rice fields.

    Grammar Note

    Kadal is the dictionary word for lizard, the same form as in Indonesian.

  18. Bikul

    Rat

    Usage

    Rat; tell staff if you see one in a room or eatery.

    Grammar Note

    Bikul is the dictionary word for rat or mouse.

  19. Lelawah

    Bat

    Usage

    Bat, in caves and temples.

    Grammar Note

    Lelawah is level-neutral for bat in the dictionary; lawah is the casual form.

  20. Legu

    Mosquito

    Usage

    Mosquito; point as you ask for repellent or a net.

    Grammar Note

    Legu is the andap word for mosquito; the alus madya word is angkitan.

  21. Semut

    Ant

    Usage

    Ant, e.g. on food.

    Grammar Note

    Semut is level-neutral for ant in the dictionary.

  22. Tawon

    Bee

    Usage

    Bee; useful to say when stung.

    Grammar Note

    Tawon is the dictionary word for bee; nyawan and tabuan are listed too.

  23. Kupu-kupu

    Butterfly

    Usage

    Butterfly.

    Grammar Note

    Kupu-kupu is the dictionary word for butterfly.

  24. Laler

    Fly

    Usage

    Fly, e.g. on food at an eatery.

    Grammar Note

    Laler is the alus mider word for fly; the casual form is buyung.

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