Animals

1. İt

   Dog

   Usage

   Starts with the dotted İ. "İt məni dişlədi" means a dog bit me. Applied to a person it is a strong insult, so keep it literal

2. Pişik

   Cat

   Usage

   Common in the lanes of Baku's Old City, İçərişəhər

3. Quş

   Bird

   Usage

   Birds in general. Azerbaijan is on a migration route, and the Gizilagaj reserve is famous for it

4. Balıq

   Fish

   Usage

   Also a menu word; Caspian fish is a staple in Baku eateries

5. At

   Horse

   Usage

   The Karabakh horse is an emblematic native breed; riding tours run from mountain villages

6. İnək

   Cow

   Usage

   Cows walk on rural roads as a matter of course — worth knowing if you drive

7. Donuz

   Pig

   Usage

   In a majority-Muslim country pork is uncommon; show this with «yox» (no) if you avoid it. Applied to a person it is an insult

8. Toyuq

   Chicken / hen

   Usage

   Also the menu word; "toyuq əti" is chicken meat

9. Ördək

   Duck

   Usage

   Seen on wetlands and lakes; also useful when asking what a duvet is filled with

10. Keçi

    Goat

    Usage

    Common on the slopes along Greater Caucasus roads

11. Qoyun

    Sheep

    Usage

    Huge flocks cross the roads in spring and autumn, and mutton, qoyun əti, is a staple

12. Eşşək

    Donkey

    Usage

    Still a working animal in mountain villages. Applied to a person it is an insult, so keep it literal

13. Ayı

    Bear

    Usage

    Brown bears live in the Greater Caucasus forests — use it when asking whether hiking alone is advisable near Gabala or Sheki

14. Canavar

    Wolf

    Usage

    A real concern on high pastures; the word qurd names the same animal

15. Tülkü

    Fox

    Usage

    Seen at dusk in fields and on forest tracks

16. Dovşan

    Rabbit / hare

    Usage

    Covers both wild hares and pet rabbits

17. Siçan

    Mouse

    Usage

    Report one at the front desk; the bigger rat is siçovul

18. Siçovul

    Rat

    Usage

    Use it for a hygiene complaint

19. İlan

    Snake

    Usage

    You may meet one while hiking or on the dry rocks at Gobustan; venomous species exist, so seek medical help if bitten

20. Kərtənkələ

    Lizard

    Usage

    Three ə letters in one word. They sun themselves on dry rocks and city walls, and are harmless

21. Qurbağa

    Frog

    Usage

    Heard by rivers and irrigation channels

22. Tısbağa

    Turtle / tortoise

    Usage

    Land tortoises live on the dry hills. The dotless ı is a different vowel from i

23. Yarasa

    Bat

    Usage

    Common at summer dusk, and mentioned on cave tours

24. Ağcaqanad

    Mosquito

    Usage

    Literally "white wing". Essential in the summer wetlands around Lankaran — show it at a pharmacy to get repellent

25. Tarakan

    Cockroach

    Usage

    Report one at the front desk. Never apply it to a person — it is an insult

26. Qarışqa

    Ant

    Usage

    They find food on terraces and in self-catering flats — use it when asking for a clean-up

27. Arı

    Bee

    Usage

    Mountain honey, bal, is a classic souvenir; also use it to report a sting allergy

28. Hörümçək

    Spider

    Usage

    Common in old stone houses; dangerous species are rare

29. Kəpənək

    Butterfly

    Usage

    Three ə letters in one word. Seen in upland meadows

30. Milçək

    Fly

    Usage

    They settle on food at outdoor tables — use it when asking for a cover

31. Qartal

    Eagle

    Usage

    Seen circling over the Greater Caucasus peaks

32. Nərə balığı

    Sturgeon

    Usage

    The Caspian sturgeon behind the caviar, kürü. It comes up in every souvenir shop and restaurant — wild stocks are protected, so check that what you buy is farmed and licensed

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