Animals in Farsi — 80+ Persian Animal Names with Script, Pronunciation & Cultural Meaning

Learning animal names in Persian is one of the most practical and enjoyable ways to build Farsi vocabulary — because animals appear everywhere in Persian daily life, poetry, proverbs, and children’s books. This guide covers 80+ animal names in Farsi with the original Persian script, romanised pronunciation, and the cultural significance each animal holds in Iranian life and literature. It is organised so you can learn by category and bookmark for reference.

Pets & Domestic Animals in Farsi — حیوانات خانگی

These are the animals most commonly encountered in Iranian homes, streets, and urban life. Knowing them is essential for everyday Farsi conversation.

English	فارسی	Pronunciation	Cultural notes
Cat	گربه	Gor-beh	Very common as pets in Iran; گربه پشمالو (gorbeye pashmālu) = fluffy cat, a common affectionate term
Dog	سگ	Sag	Less common as house pets in Iran; important in nomadic and rural life for guarding livestock. Loyal dog in Persian proverbs: وفادار مثل سگ (faithful as a dog)
Rabbit	خرگوش	Khar-gush	Kept as pets, especially for children; خرگوش appears in Persian children’s stories as a gentle, quick character
Fish (pet)	ماهی قرمز	Māhi-ye ghermez	Red goldfish — the most culturally important pet fish; placed on the Haft Sin table at Nowruz as a symbol of life
Bird (pet)	پرنده	Pa-ran-deh	General word for bird; canaries (قناری — ghanāri) and budgerigars are popular Iranian house pets
Parrot	طوطی	Tu-ti	Parrots are beloved in Persian poetry — Rumi’s famous story of the merchant’s parrot (طوطی) opens the Masnavi
Turtle	لاکپشت	Lāk-posht	Literally “shell-back” — increasingly popular as a pet; associated with patience and long life
Hamster	همستر	Hams-ter	Borrowed word; popular children’s pet in modern Iranian urban homes

Farm Animals in Farsi — حیوانات مزرعه

Iran has a rich agricultural and nomadic heritage. These animals are central to rural Iranian life and appear constantly in Persian proverbs and folklore.

English	فارسی	Pronunciation	Cultural notes
Horse	اسب	Asb	Revered in Persian culture — Rostam’s legendary horse رخش (Rakhsh) is one of the Shahnameh’s great characters. اسب سواری (horse riding) is a noble art in Iranian tradition
Cow	گاو	Gāv	Vital for milk and meat; گاو also appears in the Persian calendar (year of the ox). گاو شیری (dairy cow) is a common phrase in rural markets
Sheep	گوسفند	Gus-fand	Central to nomadic life; گوسفند is sacrificed at Eid al-Adha. Persian carpets often feature stylised sheep patterns from nomadic weaving traditions
Goat	بز	Boz	The clever goat appears in many Persian children’s fables; بز also appears in proverbs about stubbornness: لج بز (goat-stubborn)
Donkey	الاغ	O-lāgh	Traditional working animal in rural Iran; also used in humorous proverbs. The donkey in Rumi’s Masnavi is a recurring symbol of the stubborn ego
Camel	شتر	Sho-tor	Essential in desert regions; شتر is a symbol of patient endurance. Famous proverb: شتر را به بار نمی‌بندند — “they do not tie a camel for show” (one must work)
Chicken	مرغ	Morgh	مرغ also means “bird” in classical poetry. مرغ بریان (roast chicken) is one of the most beloved dishes in Persian cuisine
Rooster	خروس	Kho-rus	The rooster’s crow marks the beginning of the day; in Zoroastrian tradition, the rooster was sacred — its crow welcomed Ahura Mazda’s light
Duck	اردک	Or-dak	Found near rivers and wetlands; اردک ماهیچه (duck meat) is a delicacy in Gilan province in northern Iran
Turkey	بوقلمون	Bo-gha-le-mun	One of the most fun words in Persian — بوقلمون literally means “thousand-colours,” referring to the turkey’s colourful plumage; also colloquially means “chameleon-like person”
Mule	قاطر	Ghā-ter	Traditional pack animal in mountain regions; لجوج مثل قاطر (stubborn as a mule) is a common Persian expression
Pig	خوک	Khuk	Not consumed in Islamic culture; خوک in Persian proverbs often represents greed or uncleanliness

Wild Animals in Farsi — حیوانات وحشی

Iran’s diverse landscape — from the Alborz mountains to the Persian Gulf coast, from the Kavir desert to the Caspian forests — is home to remarkable wildlife. Many of these animals hold deep significance in Persian mythology, poetry, and history.

English	فارسی	Pronunciation	Cultural notes
Lion	شیر	Shir	Symbol of courage, royalty, and Iran itself — the lion-and-sun (شیر و خورشید) was the emblem of the Iranian Empire. شیر also means “milk” — same word, different context
Tiger	ببر	Babr	Now extinct in Iran; the Caspian tiger (ببر مازندران) once roamed northern forests. Babr appears in the Shahnameh as a fierce opponent of Rostam
Leopard	پلنگ	Pa-lang	The Persian leopard (پلنگ ایرانی) is critically endangered and native to the Alborz and Zagros mountains. Palang symbolises speed and ferocity in Persian poetry
Cheetah	یوزپلنگ	Yuz-pa-lang	The Asiatic cheetah (یوزپلنگ ایرانی) is critically endangered — fewer than 20 remain in Iran. It is on the Iranian football team’s shirt as a national symbol
Wolf	گرگ	Gorg	Respected in Persian folklore for cunning and survival. Proverb: گرگ در لباس میش (wolf in sheep’s clothing) — same as in English; also گرگ از گرگ نمی‌ترسد
Bear	خرس	Khers	Brown bears inhabit the Alborz and Zagros forests. خرس in Persian culture represents raw strength and clumsiness — گاو خرس (clumsy bear) is used figuratively
Fox	روباه	Ru-bāh	The fox is the classic symbol of cleverness and cunning in Persian tales and poetry. روباه مکار (cunning fox) appears in dozens of Persian proverbs and children’s stories
Deer / Stag	گوزن	Go-vazn	Symbol of grace and beauty in Persian literature; the eyes of the beloved are often compared to آهو (āhu — gazelle) eyes — one of the most common poetic compliments
Gazelle	آهو	Ā-hu	The most poetically significant animal in Persian love poetry — “چشمان آهو” (gazelle eyes) is the highest compliment for a beloved’s eyes in classical verse
Wild boar	گراز	Go-rāz	Found in northern Iranian forests; گراز in the Shahnameh represents brute force and chaos — often defeated by the heroes as a symbol of overcoming primal nature
Hedgehog	جوجه‌تیغی	Ju-jeh-ti-ghi	Literally “spiky chick” — a beloved character in Persian children’s stories; common in gardens and rural areas across Iran
Snake	مار	Mār	In the Shahnameh, the serpent Zahhak has snakes growing from his shoulders — one of Persian mythology’s most iconic images. مار represents both danger and hidden wisdom
Rabbit / Hare	خرگوش	Khar-gush	In Persian folklore, the hare is clever — there is a famous tale of the hare outwitting the lion using only his wits
Elephant	فیل	Fil	Elephants appear in Rumi’s famous parable of the blind men and the elephant — one of the most cited parables in world literature, originating in Persian storytelling tradition

Birds in Farsi — پرندگان

Birds hold a special place in Persian culture and poetry — from the nightingale’s song to the Simorgh’s mythological wisdom. Persian literature is rich with bird symbolism.

English	فارسی	Pronunciation	Cultural notes
Nightingale	بلبل	Bol-bol	The most celebrated bird in Persian poetry — the nightingale sings for the rose (گل) and represents the soul yearning for the beloved. Hafez’s nightingale is his most recurring image
Simorgh (mythical)	سیمرغ	Si-morgh	The great mythical bird of Persian literature — raised Zal in the Shahnameh; in Attar’s Conference of the Birds, thirty birds seek the Simorgh and discover they ARE the Simorgh
Eagle / Falcon	عقاب	O-ghāb	Symbol of power and vision; عقاب in Persian poetry represents the noble, far-sighted spirit
Falcon (royal)	شاهین	Shā-hin	Royal hawk — the most prestigious bird in Persian falconry culture; شاهین is also a popular Persian name meaning “falcon”
Crow	کلاغ	Ka-lāgh	The crow (کلاغ) is central to Persian children’s culture — the famous story “کلاغ و روباه” (the crow and the fox) is known by every Iranian child
Dove / Pigeon	کبوتر	Ka-bu-tar	Symbol of peace and loyalty; pigeons have been kept in traditional Iranian courtyards for centuries. کبوترخانه (pigeon tower) is a feature of historic Isfahan
Peacock	طاووس	Tā-vus	Symbol of paradise, beauty, and royalty in Persian art; طاووس appears extensively in Persian carpet and tilework designs
Owl	جغد	Jo-ghd	Considered an omen of misfortune in Iranian folk tradition — جغد صدا کرد (the owl cried) is a foreboding sign in Persian superstition
Sparrow	گنجشک	Gan-jeshk	The common sparrow of Iranian gardens; in children’s poetry, گنجشک represents small-but-brave energy
Stork	لک‌لک	Lak-lak	Migratory bird celebrated in Iranian spring; لک‌لک (onomatopoeic name from its beak clatter) appears in Persian children’s poems about the arrival of spring

Aquatic Animals in Farsi — آبزیان

English	فارسی	Pronunciation	Notes
Fish	ماهی	Māhi	Central to Nowruz — red goldfish (ماهی قرمز) on the Haft Sin table. Sturgeon (ماهی خاویار) from the Caspian Sea produces Iran’s famous caviar
Whale	نهنگ	Na-hang	Symbol of the vast ocean in Persian poetry; نهنگ also means “crocodile” in classical Persian texts
Dolphin	دلفین	Del-fin	Common in the Persian Gulf; borrowed word from Greek via European languages
Shark	کوسه	Ku-seh	Found in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman; کوسه also colloquially means a beardless man (from the shark’s smooth face)
Crab	خرچنگ	Khar-chang	Common on the shores of the Caspian and Persian Gulf; خرچنگ راه رفتن (walking like a crab) means walking sideways — used humorously
Frog	قورباغه	Ghur-bā-gheh	One of the most distinctive-sounding words in Farsi; found in wetlands and rice paddies of northern Iran; قورباغه appears in children’s books and folk songs
Crocodile	تمساح	Tam-sāh	Not native to Iran but appears in Persian literature; اشک تمساح (crocodile tears) is used in Persian exactly as in English
Jellyfish	عروس دریایی	O-rus-e dar-yā-yi	Literally “sea bride” — one of the most poetic animal names in Persian; found in the Persian Gulf and Caspian Sea

Insects & Small Creatures in Farsi — حشرات

English	فارسی	Pronunciation	Notes
Butterfly	پروانه	Par-vā-neh	One of the most beautiful words in Persian — also means “permit/license.” In poetry, پروانه flies around the candle (شمع) in ecstatic love, burning itself — a symbol of total devotion to the beloved
Bee	زنبور عسل	Zan-bu-re a-sal	Honey bee — عسل (honey) is one of the most prized natural products in Iran. Iran is one of the world’s largest honey producers; beekeeping has deep cultural roots
Ant	مورچه	Mur-cheh	Symbol of patience and diligence; Saadi’s ant story — how the ant saves grain in summer for winter — is a classic Persian moral tale
Scorpion	عقرب	Agh-rab	Also the name of Scorpio in the Persian zodiac (اسفند — eight sign). عقرب in proverbs represents hidden danger: مار و عقرب (snake and scorpion) describes treacherous people
Spider	عنکبوت	An-ka-but	A spider’s web is a symbol of fragility — لانه عنکبوت (spider’s web) is used for weak, easily torn constructions. Also a Quran sura name
Mosquito	پشه	Pa-sheh	Common in warm and wet areas; Rumi famously uses the mosquito (پشه) as a symbol of the weak who still has a spirit — the mosquito complains to Solomon about the wind
Dragonfly	سنجاقک	San-jā-ghak	Literally “little pin” — a delightful word; dragonflies are seen near rivers and rice paddies of northern Iran in summer
Firefly	کرم شب‌تاب	Karm-e shab-tāb	Literally “night-glowing worm” — one of Persian’s most poetic compound words; کرم شب‌تاب appears in poetry as a symbol of small lights in darkness

Animal Sounds in Farsi — How Animals “Speak” in Persian

One of the most fun aspects of language learning is discovering that animals “speak” differently in different languages. In Persian, onomatopoeic animal sounds are distinct from English — and knowing them gives you a window into how Persian speakers perceive the natural world.

Animal	فارسی	Persian sound	English equivalent	Notes
Cat	گربه	میو میو (Miyu miyu)	Meow meow	Very similar to English — Persian cats are just as recognisable
Dog	سگ	هاپ هاپ (Hāp hāp)	Woof woof	Persian dogs say hāp not woof — the labial p versus the f sound
Cow	گاو	ما ما (Mā mā)	Moo moo	The mā sound is longer and more nasal than English “moo”
Sheep	گوسفند	بع بع (Ba’ ba’)	Baa baa	Almost identical to English; بع بع is how Iranian children learn this sound
Bird (small)	پرنده	جیک جیک (Jik jik)	Tweet tweet	The Persian ji sound is sharper — jik jik sounds more like the actual chirp
Frog	قورباغه	غور غور (Ghur ghur)	Ribbit ribbit	The Persian frog sound perfectly matches the guttural throat sound of the word قورباغه itself
Crow	کلاغ	قار قار (Ghār ghār)	Caw caw	The guttural ghār perfectly captures the harsh caw of a crow
Duck	اردک	واک واک (Vāk vāk)	Quack quack	Persian duck says vāk — the v-sound instead of qu

Animals in Persian Poetry & Proverbs

Animals are everywhere in Persian literature — not as background detail, but as central symbols carrying layers of meaning. Understanding which animal means what in Persian culture transforms your understanding of the language.

Learn Farsi Vocabulary with Danaa School

At Danaa School, we teach Persian vocabulary through real cultural context — stories, poetry, and everyday conversation. Animal vocabulary is one of the most effective starting points for heritage children and adult beginners alike, because these words connect language to vivid, concrete images. Our native tutors work 1-on-1 at your pace.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you say cat in Farsi?

Cat in Farsi is گربه (Gorbeh) — pronounced GOR-beh. It is one of the most common Persian vocabulary words. The plural is گربه‌ها (gorbeha). گربه پشمالو (gorbeye pashmālu) means “fluffy cat” — a common affectionate description.

How do you say dog in Farsi?

Dog in Farsi is سگ (Sag) — pronounced like the English word “sag.” In Persian culture, dogs (سگ) are less common as house pets than in Western countries but are important working animals in rural and nomadic communities, prized for guarding livestock.

What is the word for lion in Farsi?

شیر (Shir) means lion in Farsi — and also means milk. Context determines which meaning applies. The lion is one of the most significant cultural symbols in Iran — the lion-and-sun (شیر و خورشید) was the emblem of the Iranian Empire for centuries.

How do you say horse in Farsi?

Horse in Farsi is اسب (Asb). The horse holds a special place in Persian culture — Rostam’s legendary horse Rakhsh (رخش) is one of the Shahnameh’s great characters. اسب سواری (horsemanship) is a traditional art in Iran.

What is butterfly in Farsi?

Butterfly in Farsi is پروانه (Parvāneh) — one of the most beautiful words in Persian. It also means “permit” or “license.” In Persian poetry, the butterfly (پروانه) circles the candle (شمع) in an act of total devotion, burning itself — a central symbol of selfless love in classical Persian verse.

What does آهو (Āhu) mean in Persian?

آهو (Āhu) means gazelle in Farsi. It is one of the most poetically significant animal words in Persian — the beloved’s eyes are consistently compared to آهو eyes in classical Persian poetry. “چشمان آهو” (gazelle eyes) is the most common and celebrated compliment for a beloved’s beauty in verse from Hafez and Rumi.