Kelpie Meaning in English

word

US

ˈkɛlpi

KEL-pee

UK

kˈɛlpaɪ

KEL-py

Definition

A kelpie is a creature from Scottish folklore said to be a shape-shifting water spirit, usually appearing as a horse. 'Kelpie' is also the name of a breed of Australian sheepdog.

Usage & Nuances

When used in folklore contexts, 'kelpie' refers to a mythical water spirit; in animal contexts, it refers to an energetic Australian sheepdog. Clarify meaning by context: 'the kelpie in the river' (myth), 'my kelpie herds sheep' (dog). The folklore 'kelpie' is mostly known in Scotland or fantasy literature.

• Spanish: kelpie (criatura mitológica escocesa) - kelpie (raza de perro)
• Portuguese (BR): kelpie (criatura mítica escocesa) - kelpie (raça de cão)
• Portuguese (PT): kelpie (criatura mítica escocesa) - kelpie (raça de cão)
• Chinese (Simplified): 凯尔派（水妖）- 凯尔派犬（澳大利亚牧羊犬）
• Chinese (Traditional): 凱爾派（水妖）- 凱爾派犬（澳大利亞牧羊犬）
• Hindi: केलपी (स्कॉटिश जल प्राणी) - केलपी (कुत्ते की जाति)
• Arabic: كيلبي (مخلوق أسطوري إسكتلندي) - كيلبي (سلالة كلب)
• Bengali: কেলপি (স্কটিশ জলদেবতা) - কেলপি (অস্ট্রেলীয় ভেড়ার কুকুর)
• Russian: келпи (водяной дух) - келпи (порода собаки)
• Japanese: ケルピー（スコットランドの水の精霊） - ケルピー（オーストラリアン・シープドッグ）
• Vietnamese: kelpie (linh hồn nước thần thoại) - kelpie (chó chăn cừu Úc)
• Korean: 켈피 (스코틀랜드 전설 속 물의 정령) - 켈피 (호주 양치기 개)
• Turkish: kelpie (İskoçya mitolojisinde su ruhu) - kelpie (Avustralya çoban köpeği)
• Urdu: کیلپی (اسکاٹش دیومالائی پانی کی روح) - کیلپی (آسٹریلوی بھیڑوں کا کتا)
• Indonesian: kelpie (linh hồn nước thay hình) - kelpie (chó chăn cừu Úc)

Example Sentences

The kelpie is a famous creature in Scottish stories.

basic

My neighbor owns a kelpie that herds sheep.

basic

People say the kelpie can change its shape.

basic

Some people believe they saw a kelpie near the river at night.

natural

Her kelpie never gets tired, even after running all day.

natural

There’s a legend that the kelpie drags people into the water if they climb on its back.

natural