Ways to say it
| Iraqi Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| بزونة | bazzuna | |
| بزازين | bazazin | plural |
| قطة | qitta | Standard Arabic |
Iraqis use بزونة for any cat, pet or stray. The Standard Arabic قطة (qitta) is understood and appears in writing, but at home and in the street people say بزونة.
What does it mean word for word?
بزونة is a single word with no smaller parts. Its plural is بزازين (bazazin), 'cats'.
Which one should you use?
بزونة is the everyday Iraqi word. قطة is the formal and written choice.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
بزونة is neutral and fine in any spoken setting. Switch to قطة only in formal writing.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word is typical of Iraq and is heard in parts of the Gulf as well. Levantine speakers say بسة (bisse) and Egyptians say قطة, pronounced 'otta'.
How does it change in a sentence?
بزونة is grammatically feminine, so adjectives take the feminine ending: بزونة زغيرة (bazzuna zghayra), 'a small cat'.
How do you pronounce it?
Stress the middle syllable and double the z: 'baz-ZU-na'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Learners who know only Standard Arabic say قطة and are understood, but بزونة is what an Iraqi expects to hear.
When do people say it?
Cats are welcome in many Iraqi homes and courtyards, and feeding the neighbourhood بزازين with leftovers is a common habit.
Did you know?
- Iraq, the Levant and Egypt each have their own everyday word for 'cat': بزونة, بسة and قطة.
- The Iraqi verb ننطي (ninti), 'we give', uses an n where Standard Arabic has an ain, a sound change also heard in Bedouin speech.
Examples in context
- عدنا بزونة بالبيت.idna bazzuna bil-beit.We have a cat at home.
- البزونة نايمة على الكرسي.il-bazzuna nayma ala il-kursi.The cat is sleeping on the chair.
- شوف هاي البزونة الزغيرة!shuf hay il-bazzuna iz-zghayra!Look at this little cat!
Example conversation
Two children, Ali and Noor, find a kitten in their garden.
- Aliشوفي، بزونة زغيرة!shufi, bazzuna zghayra!Look, a little cat!
- Noorوين أمها؟wein umha?Where is its mother?
- Aliننطيها حليب؟nintiha halib?Shall we give it milk?
- Noorإي، روح جيب شوية.ee, ruh jib shwayya.Yes, go get some.
