Here you’ll find an assortment of common animals in white and green Hmong. Generally, an animal is preceded by the noun classifier ‘tus’ in White Hmong and ‘tug’ in Green Hmong. Saying ‘tus tsov caum tus liab’ is similar to saying the tiger chases the monkey in English, whereas saying tsov caum liab is like saying tigers chase monkeys. This would not mean a group of tigers chase a group of monkeys, it would be a general statement.
Let me know if I’ve missed any! However, more often than not, if you don’t see the animal here it is more because there isn’t a universal word for it in Hmong. For example, sharks exist (I’m pretty sure), but there isn’t a true, common Hmong word for shark, so I haven’t included it.
One last thing! Do you want to do more than just see and hear the animals? Do you want to memorize them? To really learn them??

You can do that here, with my animal flash card game!
Tsiaj Txhu – Animals (General)

Tsov
Tiger
Tsuv
Tiger

Miv
Cat

Aub
Dog
Dev
Dog
Dlev
Dog

Npua
Pig

Nyuj
Cow

Tshis
Goat
Me es
Goat

Twj kum
Rhinoceros

Nees
Horse
Neeg
Horse

Yaj
Sheep
Yaaj
Sheep

Tsaug
Hedgehog

Luav
rabbit

Dais
Bear
Dlais
Bear

Muas lwj
Deer
Mos lwj
Deer
Kauv
Deer

Nas
Mouse
Tsuag
Mouse

Puav
Bat

Nab qa
Lizard
Naab qaa
Lizard

Liab
Monkey
Lab
Monkey

Ntxhw
Elephant

Nab
Snake
Naab
Snake
Tej hom noog – Different types of Birds

Noog
Bird

Qaib
Chicken
Qab
Chicken

Os
Duck
Us
Duck

Yaj yuam
Peacock
Yaaj yuam
Peacock

Plas
Owl
Plaas
Owl

Uab lag
Crow
Uab laag
Crow
Tsiaj Uas Nyob Ze Dej – Aquatic Animals

Vaub Kib
Turtle
Vuab Kib
Turtle

Ntses
Fish
Ntseg
Fish

Ntshuab
Otter

Qav
Frog
Qaav
Frog

Raub Ris
Crab
Roob Ris
Crab
Me Kab Me Ntsaum – Insects and Bugs

Raub ris teb
Scorpion
Roob ris teb
Scorpion

Ntsaum
Ant

Yoov
Fly

Mos ntsuab
Horsefly

Yoov tshaj cum
Mosquito
Tshaj cum
Mosquito
Yoov tshaaj cum
Mosquito
Tshaaj cum
Mosquito
Yoov ncuaj ntse
Mosquito

Muv
Bee

Nkawj
Hornet / Wasp

Npauj npaim
Butterfly
Npuj npaim
Butterfly

Kab laum sab
Spider
Kaab laug saab
Spider

Kab laum tsov
Big hairy variety of spider
Kaab laug tsuv
Big hairy variety of spider

Kab laum
Roach
Kaab laug
Roach

Kab laum tshooj
Centipede
Kaab laug tshooj
Centipede
2 Comments on “Animals in White and Green Hmong”
Thank you for creating this. I hope you can add more in the future.
Our pleasure, we are doing our best! Let Sarah and I know if you have any ideas for more specific things you want to learn. 🙂