fēlēs
feminine
The English word 'cat' is translated into Latin as fēlēs. Wiktionary also lists cattus and catta.
Meaning: domestic species (noun)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| fēlēs | feminine | |
| cattus | [ˈkat.tʊs] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈkat.tus] (narrow) |
masculine |
| catta | [ˈkat.ta] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈkat.ta] (narrow) |
feminine |
The terms refer to the domestic species of cat.
Which one should you use?
While both terms mean cat, fēlēs is the more classical term. In contrast, cattus is a later development that eventually became the root for many Romance language words for cat.
How does it change in a sentence?
fēlēs is a third-declension feminine noun. cattus is a second-declension masculine noun. catta is a feminine noun.
Did you know?
- The Latin cattus might share roots with the Arabic word for cat qiṭṭ or the Nubian kadīs.
- The word fēlēs is related to the concept of a 'feline', but in early Latin it could refer to any small, agile wild cat rather than just a pet.
Examples in context
- Fēlēs super mēnsam sedet.The cat is sitting on the table.This sentence shows how to use fēlēs to describe a cat's position.Tatoeba #11030856 by alexmarcelo, translation #3065763 by serendipity42
- Cattus meus scit me eum amare.My cat knows I love him.This sentence uses cattus to describe a cat's knowledge of affection.Tatoeba #12747598 by soweli_Elepanto, translation #12748102 by rul
- Canis fidelior est quam cattus.A dog is more loyal than a cat.This sentence uses cattus in a comparison between a dog and a cat.Tatoeba #8671036 by shekitten, translation #8174631 by shekitten
- Marcellus amat cattos suosMarcellus loves his cats.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucius and Claudia are talking about a pet in the garden.
- LuciusVide! Fēlēs parva in hortō est.Look! A small cat is in the garden.
- ClaudiaEstne fēlēs tua, Luci?Is it your cat, Lucius?
- LuciusNon, fēlēs mea domī manet.No, my cat stays at home.
- ClaudiaTunc haec fēlēs est aliena.Then this cat is a stranger's.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cat” translations and entries cattus, catta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries catta, cattus, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
