Phrases
Why a Cat Is Bazzoona: Iraqi Arabic Animal Names
بزونة
bazzoona
Cat (Iraqi-specific)
The most uniquely Iraqi animal words
Three animal words are unmistakably Iraqi. A cat is بزونة (bazzoona) — the standard Arabic is 'qitta'. A dog is چلب (chalib), pronounced with the Iraqi 'ch' sound. Fish is سمچ (simach), again with 'ch' instead of 'k'.
بزونة
bazzoona
Cat
Very Iraqi — standard is 'qitta'
چلب
chalib
Dog
Iraqi 'ch' replaces 'k'
سمچ
simach
Fish
Iraqi 'ch' replaces 'k'
Farm animals and wildlife
A sheep or lamb is طلي (tili). Iraq also uses سَبُع (sabe') for lion — the same word is used to describe a brave person ('he's a lion'). For horses, a country with a rich equestrian tradition, the word is حصان (hisan).
طلي
tili
Sheep / Lamb
سبع
sabe'
Lion (also used for a brave person)
طير
tair
Bird
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