Ways to say it
| Egyptian Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| قطة | qitta | |
| قط | qott | male cat |
| بسة | bissa | informal, used to call a cat |
Egyptians also use بسة (bissa), a warm everyday word for a cat, especially when calling one or talking to children. قط (qott) points to a male cat specifically, while قطة covers a female cat or cats in general.
What does it mean word for word?
قطة is the feminine noun for the animal, with the plural قطط (qotot). بسة stands alone, it is simply the word Egyptians grow up calling cats with.
Which one should you use?
Use قطة in ordinary speech and writing. بسة is playful and homey, the kind of word a mother uses with a toddler or a neighbour uses to call a stray over.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both words are informal. Egyptian Arabic has no stiffer alternative for 'cat' the way some other topics do.
Is it said differently in some regions?
بسة is heard all over Egypt, though some rural areas also use the longer قطوطة (qotota) affectionately.
How does it change in a sentence?
قطة takes feminine agreement, so 'the cat is sleeping' is القطة نايمة (el-qitta nayma), with the feminine adjective ending in -a.
How do you pronounce it?
The ق in قطة is a hard g in parts of Upper Egypt but a glottal stop in Cairo, so Cairenes usually say 'itta' rather than 'qitta'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid the Standard Arabic هرة (hirra) in conversation, Egyptians will understand it but it sounds like something read aloud from a book.
When do people say it?
Street cats are common in Egyptian cities, and feeding them is widely seen as a kind, even religiously good, act.
Did you know?
- Ancient Egyptians revered cats so highly that under Pharaonic custom, killing one, even by accident, could bring severe punishment.
- A companion of the Prophet Muhammad is remembered by the nickname Abu Hurairah, meaning 'father of the kitten', because he was known for carrying a small cat with him.
Examples in context
- القطة بتاكل دلوقتي.el-qitta betakol dilwa'ti.The cat is eating right now.
- عندي قطة صغيرة في البيت.andi qitta soghayyara fi el-beit.I have a small cat at home.
- يلا يا بسة!yalla ya bissa!Come on, kitty!
Example conversation
Mona shows her neighbour Samir the kitten she found outside her building.
- Monaشايف القطة دي؟ لقيتها قدام البيت.shayef el-qitta di? la'etha 'oddam el-beit.Do you see this cat? I found her in front of the house.
- Samirايه الجمال ده! هيا بسة ولا قط؟eh el-gamal da! heya bissa wala qott?How cute! Is she a female or a male?
- Monaبسة، وسميتها فل.bissa, w sammeitaha full.A female, and I named her Full.
- Samirاسم حلو، يا رب تعيش معاكي كويس.ism helw, ya rab teesh ma'aki kwayyes.Nice name, I hope she does well with you.
