Animals

1. Морь

   Mori

   Horse

   Usage

   The animal at the centre of Mongolian life — riding, and airag mare's milk. The same word as in the Transportation category

2. Тэмээ

   Temee

   Camel

   Usage

   The two-humped Gobi camel; the word comes up on camel rides and around camel-wool goods

3. Хонь

   Khoni

   Sheep

   Usage

   Used at markets and pastures; mutton is the commonest meat, filling khorkhog and buuz

4. Ямаа

   Yamaa

   Goat

   Usage

   The goat that gives cashmere; the word also comes up when talking about wool at a market

5. Үхэр

   Ükher

   Cow

   Usage

   Use it while pointing at livestock on a pasture or at a market; it also helps when checking which meat you are being served

6. Сарлаг

   Sarlag

   Yak

   Usage

   Kept on the high pastures; yak dairy and yak-wool rugs are sold as souvenirs

7. Илжиг

   Iljig

   Donkey

   Usage

   Use it while pointing at livestock on a pasture or at a market; it also helps when checking which meat you are being served

8. Нохой

   Nokhoi

   Dog

   Usage

   Also for saying a dog bit you. Always call out before approaching a ger — the guard dogs run loose

9. Муур

   Muur

   Cat

   Usage

   Use it while pointing at a pet cat or a cat you see in town; also handy for asking whether a ger or guesthouse has a cat

10. Тахиа

    Takhia

    Chicken

    Usage

    Use it while pointing at livestock on a pasture or at a market; it also helps when checking which meat you are being served

11. Азарган тахиа

    Azargan takhia

    Rooster

    Usage

    Use it while pointing at livestock on a pasture or at a market; it also helps when checking which meat you are being served

12. Нугас

    Nugas

    Duck

    Usage

    Use it while pointing at livestock on a pasture or at a market; it also helps when checking which meat you are being served

13. Галуу

    Galuu

    Goose

    Usage

    Use it while pointing at livestock on a pasture or at a market; it also helps when checking which meat you are being served

14. Гахай

    Gakhai

    Pig

    Usage

    Use it while pointing at livestock on a pasture or at a market; it also helps when checking which meat you are being served

15. Шувуу

    Shuvuu

    Bird

    Usage

    Use it to confirm a sighting on the steppe or in the mountains, or show it to a guide to ask whether you can see bird

16. Бүргэд

    Bürged

    Eagle

    Usage

    The golden eagle flown by hunters in the west, celebrated at the annual eagle festival. Same spelling as in the Nature & Outdoors category

17. Шонхор

    Shonkhor

    Falcon

    Usage

    Use it to confirm a sighting on the steppe or in the mountains, or show it to a guide to ask whether you can see falcon

18. Чоно

    Chono

    Wolf

    Usage

    The emblematic wild animal of the steppe and a staple of Mongolian lore; same spelling as in the Nature & Outdoors category

19. Үнэг

    Üneg

    Fox

    Usage

    Use it to confirm a sighting on the steppe or in the mountains, or show it to a guide to ask whether you can see fox

20. Баавгай

    Baavgai

    Bear

    Usage

    The Gobi has the critically endangered Gobi bear, mazaalai — a topic that comes up with guides

21. Буга

    Buga

    Deer

    Usage

    Use it to confirm a sighting on the steppe or in the mountains, or show it to a guide to ask whether you can see deer

22. Тарвага

    Tarvaga

    Marmot

    Usage

    The rodent that pops out of steppe burrows. It carries plague, so hunting and handling are banned — keep away

23. Туулай

    Tuulai

    Rabbit

    Usage

    Use it to confirm a sighting on the steppe or in the mountains, or show it to a guide to ask whether you can see rabbit

24. Хулгана

    Khulgana

    Mouse

    Usage

    Use it to confirm a sighting on the steppe or in the mountains, or show it to a guide to ask whether you can see mouse

25. Могой

    Mogoi

    Snake

    Usage

    Use it to confirm a sighting on the steppe or in the mountains, or show it to a guide to ask whether you can see snake

26. Гүрвэл

    Gürvel

    Lizard

    Usage

    Use it to confirm a sighting on the steppe or in the mountains, or show it to a guide to ask whether you can see lizard

27. Загас

    Zagas

    Fish

    Usage

    Use it to confirm a sighting on the steppe or in the mountains, or show it to a guide to ask whether you can see fish

28. Мэлхий

    Melkhii

    Frog

    Usage

    Use it to confirm a sighting on the steppe or in the mountains, or show it to a guide to ask whether you can see frog

29. Шумуул

    Shumuul

    Mosquito

    Usage

    Show it at your lodging or an eatery to report mosquito — also useful when asking for repellent or spray

30. Ялаа

    Yalaa

    Fly

    Usage

    Show it at your lodging or an eatery to report fly — also useful when asking for repellent or spray

31. Шоргоолж

    Shorgoolj

    Ant

    Usage

    Show it at your lodging or an eatery to report ant — also useful when asking for repellent or spray

32. Зөгий

    Zögii

    Bee

    Usage

    Show it at your lodging or an eatery to report bee — also useful when asking for repellent or spray

33. Аалз

    Aalz

    Spider

    Usage

    Show it at your lodging or an eatery to report spider — also useful when asking for repellent or spray

34. Эрвээхэй

    Erveekhei

    Butterfly

    Usage

    Show it at your lodging or an eatery to report butterfly — also useful when asking for repellent or spray

35. Ирвэс

    Irves

    Snow leopard

    Usage

    It lives in the Altai; sightings are rare, but it comes up constantly in conservation talk

36. Аргаль

    Argali

    Argali wild sheep

    Usage

    The largest wild sheep in the world, seen only in mountain reserves

37. Тахь

    Takhi

    Przewalski's horse

    Usage

    The wild horse once extinct in the wild and reintroduced at Hustai National Park; the highlight of a day trip there

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