猫
neko[ne̞ko̞]
The Japanese word for cat is 猫 (neko). If unsure, use 猫. Wiktionary also lists 家猫 (ieneko).
Meaning: domestic species (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 猫 | neko | [ne̞ko̞] (narrow) [ne̞ko̞ma̠] (narrow) |
| 家猫 | ieneko |
The term refers to the domestic species of cat.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 家猫 (ieneko) is a compound word composed of the characters for house (家) and cat (猫).
Which one should you use?
While 猫 (neko) is the general term for any cat, 家猫 (ieneko) specifically refers to a domestic house cat.
How do you pronounce it?
neko
Did you know?
- In some ancient medicinal dictionaries, the word for cat was described as being 'like a tiger but small'.
Examples in context
- 私は猫です。I'm a cat.This sentence is useful for practicing the form 猫.Tatoeba #3456487 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #2068371 by shekitten
- 俺は猫かい？Am I a cat?Tatoeba #9963984 by Sim5634, translation #9963970 by DJ_Saidez
- 猫に九生あり。A cat has nine lives.Tatoeba #121984 by KK_kaku_, translation #282019 by CM
- 猫を飼っていますI have a cat.
- 化け猫の伝説Legends of the supernatural cat.
- この町では招き猫が人気ですManeki-neko is popular in this town.
- うちの猫ちゃんはとてもかわいいですMy kitty is very cute.
- 三毛猫は縁起がいいと言われていますCalico cats are said to bring good luck.
- 414 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are looking at a photo on a phone.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮くん、この猫を見て！Ren-kun, kono neko o mite!Ren, look at this cat!
- 蓮 Ren本当だ、すごく可愛いね。Hontō da, sugoku kawaii ne.You're right, it's really cute.
- 美咲 Misaki美咲は猫を飼いたいんだ。Misaki wa neko o kaitai nda.Misaki wants to keep a cat.
- 蓮 Renいいと思うよ。Ii to omou yo.I think that's a good idea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cat” translations and entries 猫, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 猫, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
