Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| gato | /ˈɡato/ | masculine |
| gata | /ˈɡata/ | feminine |
| misha | /misa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| mishingo | /misinɡo/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
| mishinga | /misinɡa/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| gatuno | /ɡaˈtuno/ | attributive |
| gatesco | /ɡatesko/ (from spelling rules) | attributive, colloquial, masculine |
The primary word for the domestic species is gato. To describe something as being cat-like or feline, you can use the adjective gatuno or the colloquial adjective gatesco.
Which one should you use?
Gato is the standard noun for the animal, whereas gatuno is an attributive adjective used to describe characteristics related to a cat. For a more colloquial way to describe something as having feline characteristics, you can use gatesco.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While gato is the standard term, you may encounter gatesco as a colloquial adjective.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on gender and number. Use gata to specify a female cat. For groups, gatos is used for a group of male cats or a mixed group of males and females, while gatas is used specifically when referring to a group consisting only of female cats.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈɡato/
Did you know?
- If you are in a workshop in Spain or Mexico, asking for a 'gato' will not result in a pet, but in a mechanical tool used to lift cars for repairs.
- In the context of traditional Spanish dance, gato refers to a specific style of folk dance from Argentina.
- Spanish has a homonym where gato can refer to a cake, borrowed from the French word gâteau.
Examples in context
- Ése es mi gato.That's my cat.This sentence shows how to identify your cat using gato.Tatoeba #521933 by Shishir, translation #471758 by CM
- No, no es gato.No, it is not a cat.This sentence uses gato to state what an animal is not.Tatoeba #5227197 by cueyayotl, translation #5228517 by solejar
- Mi gato me ama.My cat loves me.This sentence describes an affection from a cat using gato.Tatoeba #11917242 by Seael, translation #11306959 by shekitten
- El gato está durmiendo en el sofá.The cat is sleeping on the couch.
- ¡Mira ese minino tan adorable!Look at that adorable cat!
- Adopté un michi ayer.I got a new cat yesterday.
- 773 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and María are in a living room looking at a pet.
- Mateo¿Es ese tu gato?Is that your cat?
- MaríaSí, es un gato muy juguetón.Yes, he is a very playful cat.
- MateoEs muy bonito.He is very cute.
- MaríaGracias, Mateo.Thanks, Mateo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cat” translations and entries gato, gata, gatuno, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gata, gato, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
