گُرْبَه
gurba
The English word "cat" is translated into Persian as گُرْبَه (gurba). Wiktionary also lists پُشَک (pušak) and پِشَک (pišak).
Meaning: domestic species (noun)
Ways to say it
| Persian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| گُرْبَه | gurba | |
| پُشَک | pušak | |
| پِشَک | pišak | |
| گُرْبِه | gorbe | |
| پیشی | piši | /peː.ˈʃiː/ (Classical Persian) |
The primary way to refer to the domestic species is through the word گُرْبَه. Other forms exist that are used for affectionate or endearing purposes.
Which one should you use?
گُرْبَه is the standard, neutral term for a cat. The form پیشی is a colloquial term used specifically when talking to or about pets, similar to the English "kitty". The form پُشَک is an endearing and slightly more old-fashioned way to say "kitty" or "pussycat".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
گُرْبَه is the most common word used in both speech and writing. پیشی is informal and used in a colloquial, affectionate manner. پُشَک is also informal and carries an endearing, somewhat old-fashioned tone.
How do you pronounce it?
gurba
Did you know?
- In Persian culture, the cat is often associated with the concept of 'cleaning' and 'purity', leading to the animal being highly regarded in domestic spaces.
- The word گُرْبَه shares an ancient linguistic root with several other Indo-European languages, though it evolved uniquely within the Iranian branch.
- In many Persian households, instead of calling a cat by its name, people use the repetitive sound پیشی، پیشی to get its attention, much like how one might use 'pspsps' in English.
Examples in context
- من یک گربه دارم.I have a cat.
- آیا شما هم گربه دارید؟Do you also have a cat?
- گُرْبَه خیلی کوچک است.gorbe kheyli koochak ast.The cat is very small.
- گُرْبَه روی مبل خوابیده است.gorbe rooye mobal khābeede ast.The cat is sleeping on the sofa.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cat” translations and entries پیشی, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
