Word cat in all languages

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Translations: the word in the other languages

• Afrikaans: kat
• Amharic: ቀጥል
• Arabic: القط
• Azerbaijani: pişik
• Bashkir: бесәй
• Belarusian: котка
• Bulgarian: котка
• Bengali: বিড়াল
• Bosnian: mačka
• Catalan: cat
• Cebuano: cat
• Czech: kočka
• Welsh: cat
• Danish: kat
• German: Katze
• Greek: γάτα
• Esperanto: kato
• Spanish: gato
• Estonian: kass
• Basque: cat
• Persian: گربه
• Finnish: kissa
• French: chat
• Irish: cat
• Scottish Gaelic: cat
• Galician: gato
• Gujarati: બિલાડી
• Hebrew: חתול
• Hindi: बिल्ली
• Croatian: mačka
• Haitian: chat
• Hungarian: macska
• Armenian: կատու
• Indonesian: kucing
• Icelandic: köttur
• Italian: gatto
• Japanese: 猫
• Javanese: kucing
• Georgian: კატა
• Kazakh: мысық
• Khmer: ឆ្មា
• Kannada: ಬೆಕ್ಕು
• Korean: 고양이
• Kyrgyz: мышык
• Latin: cattus
• Luxembourgish: Kaz
• Lao: cat
• Lithuanian: katė
• Latvian: kaķis
• Malagasy: saka
• Mari: пырыс
• Maori: ngeru
• Macedonian: мачка
• Malayalam: പൂച്ച
• Mongolian: муур
• Marathi: मांजर
• Hill Mari: пырыс
• Malay: kucing
• Maltese: qattus
• Burmese: ကြောင်
• Nepali: बिरालो
• Dutch: kat
• Norwegian: katten
• Punjabi: ਬਿੱਲੀ
• Papiamento: pushi
• Polish: kot
• Portuguese: gato
• Romanian: pisica
• Russian: кошка
• Sinhalese: බළලා
• Slovak: mačka
• Slovenian: mačka
• Albanian: cat
• Serbian: мачка
• Sundanese: ucing
• Swedish: katt
• Swahili: paka
• Tamil: பூனை
• Telugu: క్యాట్
• Tajik: гурба
• Thai: แมว
• Tagalog: pusa
• Turkish: kedi
• Tatar: мәче
• Udmurt: коӵыш
• Ukrainian: кішка
• Urdu: خواتین کی
• Uzbek: mushuk
• Vietnamese: cat
• Xhosa: cat
• Yiddish: קאַץ
• Chinese: 猫

Synonyms, close and similar words for cat

• kitty
• feline
• tabby
• puss
• pussy
• pussy cat
• pussycat
• house cat
• caterpillar
• catlike
• retch
• barf
• upchuck
• throw up
• ct
• male
• dude
• guy
• bloke
• qat
• vomit
• moggy

Cats have been beloved companions for thousands of years. Throughout history, different cultures around the world have different perceptions of cats. Some cultures view cats as sacred creatures, some associate them with good fortune, and some, in contrast, associate them with evil. Regardless of these cultural differences, cats have grown to be popular pets around the world.

Linguistically, most words for cats in different cats are derived from the Latin words, feles or kattus. Read on as we look at how the word “cat” is translated into different languages.

In this article, we’ll go over a brief overview of how cats are perceived in different cultures around the world!

Cats in Asian Culture

For centuries, spanning way back to ancient times, cats have generally been seen as protectors, symbols of fertility, and good fortune. Cats truly hold a special place in Asian cultural heritage as positive symbolism, as well as loyal companions.

In countries like China and Japan, they are often held in high regard as symbols of good fortune and prosperity.

For example, the Maneki-neko or “beckoning cat”, often seen at the entrance of restaurants and other businesses, is a popular symbol of good fortune in Japan, as it is said to attract customers for businesses to thrive. Similarly, cats are often depicted in Korean folklore and traditional art as bringers of good luck, protectors, and creatures with healing powers.

How to Say Cat in Asian Languages

Cats in European Culture

While cats are popular companions and are often portrayed positively in the media today, they were initially seen in a negative light in medieval Europe. Cats were often associated with witchcraft and magic as the preferred companion of witches.

In the Renaissance period, cats began gaining a more positive reputation, as they were often depicted in works of art and as pets of the wealthy. From their association with witchcraft, they became symbols of grace, elegance, and beauty.

Today, cats are a popular choice for a pet all around Europe. In popular culture, their mystical association with witchcraft and magic is still heavily portrayed, but has only served to grow cats’ popularity.

How to Say Cat in European Languages

Cats in Middle Eastern Culture

Cats play a huge role in Middle Eastern culture. As a predominantly Islamic region, cats are highly valued and are considered symbols of cleanliness and good luck. In Islam, the Prophet Muhammad was known to be fond of cats, leading to a widespread tradition of respect toward cats in the region. A popular story in Islam tells of the Prophet Muhammad cutting off the sleeve of his robe, just so that he would not disturb his sleeping cat.

Today, cats are still revered as symbols of good fortune, and are beloved companions all over the Middle East.

How to Say Cat in Middle Eastern Languages

Cats in Austronesian Culture

Cats have a very rich heritage in Austronesian-speaking cultures—spanning the regions of Southeast Asia, the Pacific islands, Taiwan, Polynesia, and Madagascar. Aside from their mystical perception and depictions in art and folklore, cats were also loved in society for their ability to control pests and protect food stores.

Cats are also thought to bring good luck and prosperity to their owners, making them popular companions—even dating back to ancient times, when they were also considered to possess healing powers and serve as protectors from evil spirits.

How to Say Cat in Austronesian Languages

Cats in African Culture

Cats have a significant place in African culture, particularly in Egypt. The ancient Egyptians viewed cats as gods, and they were revered and worshipped as such. Cats were said to bring good fortune to those who housed them, and were often depicted in Egyptian art and mythology.

Other African cultures considered cats to have spiritual powers bringing protection and good luck. Today, cats are still widely valued as companions and are often kept as pets.

How to Say Cat in African Languages

Cats in North American Culture

In North America, cats are highly valued for their companionship and affection. They are choice pets for those who love independent animals that are easy to care for. They are often depicted in popular media in the form of comic strips, television, movies, and even have a strong online presence in the form of “internet cats”!

In Native American culture, cats were seen as symbols of grace and agility. They were also valued for their ability to hunt and to control the population of pests. Native Americans, in general, have a deep respect for all animals and view them as an important part of the natural world—including cats!

How to Say Cat in Languages in North America

While English is the primary language of North America, there are several Native American and other languages spoken by indigenous people and other ethnic groups throughout the North American region. Below, we list the words for “cat” in several of these languages, including English:

Cats in South American Culture

In South America, cats have a varied cultural significance and status depending on the society and region. Some indigenous cultures viewed cats as symbols of prosperity, where they were often kept for companionship. Some cultures valued cats for their hunting abilities of smaller animals, such as mice and rats.

Today, cats are valued as domesticated pets and are loved for their affection and personalities.

How to Say Cat in Languages in South America

In South America, the major languages can be divided into three broad groups—the languages of the former colonial powers, many indigenous languages, and various other languages spoken by immigrant populations. Here, we list the words for “cat” in the major languages spoken throughout South America.

Conclusion

While different cultures have varying perceptions and regard for cats, there is no doubt that cats play a huge role in cultural history around the world. Today, cats are beloved pets all around the world that are loved for their excellent companionship, adorable personalities, and affectionate nature!

Featured Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

Cats, our furry feline companions, have been beloved pets across the globe for centuries. They’ve captured the hearts of people in numerous countries, and it’s no wonder that the word ‘cat’ exists in countless languages.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to say ‘cat’ in 10 different languages, complete with pronunciation tips. Whether you’re a language enthusiast, a cat lover, or simply curious, this linguistic journey is sure to be an exciting one. So, let’s dive into the world of cats and languages!

1. Spanish: Gato

The Spanish word for cat is “gato” (said: GAH-toh). A Romance language hailing from the Iberian Peninsula, millions of people worldwide can now speak this beautiful tongue.

When saying “gato” out loud, keep in mind to sound the “g” like you would when saying its English counterpart, “Go!” Give a slight emphasis on your pronunciation of the second letter as well, which should be said with an assertive tone.

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2. French: Chat

For anyone looking to traverse the world, French is an invaluable language. A notable example of its utility can be found in its word for cat—“chat” (SHA). The English speakers among us will recognize the similarity between this and the English “sh” sound, with a silent “t” at the end.

Not only is it widely spoken in France itself, but also used officially across numerous other nations, as well!

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3. German: Katze

When speaking in German, the word for “cat” is “katze” (KAHT-suh). One of the many languages from the Indo-European language family, German resides predominantly in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

For optimal pronunciation, when saying “Katze,” stress its first syllable and articulate a “ts” sound for its last letter.

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4. Mandarin Chinese: Māo

Mandarin, the most widespread language on earth and China’s official tongue, uses māo as its word for cat. Pronounced māo in a high-level first-tone pitch, this character is written using simplified Chinese notation. Interestingly, it’s almost like saying “meow” but without pronouncing the “e.”

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5. Japanese: Neko

In Japanese, the word for cat is “NEH-ko,” carefully emphasizing the first syllable. Not only is this language spoken in Japan, but its writing system stands out from many others with three distinct styles—kanji, hiragana, and katakana. The written form of “neko” uses kanji characters that reflect its pronunciation when said correctly.

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6. Russian: Koshka

The Russian word for cat is ‘кошка’ (KOHSH-kuh), a term belonging to the East Slavic language family spoken in Russia and many of its bordering countries.

Pronounce it by emphasizing the first syllable’s stress while making a “sh” sound within the middle part. Note that this particular phrase is written in Cyrillic script.

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7. Kiswahili: Paka

This East African language is spoken in over 14 countries. That means around 200 million people speak Kiswahili, making it important to know how to say cat: paka (PA-ka). Speakers would emphasize the first syllable (pa).

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8. Yoruba: Ológbò

Yoruba is widely spoken around West Africa, predominantly in Nigeria. So, if you are ever in that region and you hear someone calling “ológbò” (o-lung-bo), they are calling for their pet cat.

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9. Navajo: Mósí

The Navajo people of the United States strive to keep their language alive, as it is considered “vulnerable”. To help educate people about this language, why not learn the Navajo word for cat: mósí (mo-SAY). There is a slight emphasis on the second syllable.

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10. Arabic: Qitta

Lastly, in Arabic, the word for cat is pronounced: KEET-ta. Arabic is a Semitic language spoken in various countries across the Middle East and North Africa. When saying “qitta,” make sure to emphasize the first syllable and pronounce the “q” as a deeper “k” sound.

Conclusion

Now you know how to say “cat” in 10 different languages! This fun linguistic journey has taken us across the globe, showcasing the linguistic diversity and beauty of the word for our beloved feline friends.

Whether you’re traveling or simply looking to expand your linguistic range, knowing these basic words can help you make meaningful connections with those around you!

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Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock