بزونة
bazzoona
Cat (Iraqi-specific)
The most uniquely Iraqi animal words
Three animal words are unmistakably Iraqi. A cat is بزونة (bazzoona), where standard Arabic says '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, and 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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