AnimalsOwl in Thai
“Owl” in Thai is นกฮูกnók-hûuk; you'll also hear นกเค้าแมวnók-káo-maew (also common).
owl noun
- nók high
- hûuk falling
- High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.
- Falling: start high and drop clearly, like a firm “No!”
Classifier: ตัวdtua · counting word for animals, clothes, tables and chairs
owl; strictly, the Asian barred owlet noun also common
- nók high
- káo high
- maew mid
- High: start high and go a little higher, a bit tense; don’t let it fall.
How to use it
นกฮูกnók-hûuk is the everyday word for any owl, and you'll hear นกเค้าแมวnók-káo-maew, "cat owl", used the same way, although bird guides keep that name for one small owl, the Asian barred owlet. Many Thais see owls as a bad omen: a barn owl, นกแสกnók sàek, screeching over a house or landing on its roof is said to foretell a death in the family.
Other spellings you'll see
There's no single official way to write Thai in English letters. We mark the tone of every syllable; online you'll also find:
- nok huk
- nok hook
- nokhuk
More animals in Thai
All animals
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Written by the Learn Thai For Free team
Audio: AI voices, quality-checked for tones