misi
/ˈmi.si/
The Quechua word for cat is misi. Wiktionary also lists mişi.
Meaning: domestic species (noun)
Ways to say it
| Quechua | IPA |
|---|---|
| misi | /ˈmi.si/ |
| mişi |
This noun refers to the domestic species of cat.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is a loanword from the Spanish word michi, which is a common colloquial term for a cat.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Central Quechua varieties, the spelling mişi is more common. In Ancash Quechua, the word for cat is written as mishi.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈmi.si/. It has two syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- The use of 'misi' reflects a historical shift in the Andean household, as cats were not part of the traditional pre-colonial ecosystem.
- Quechua is an agglutinative language, meaning you can add suffixes to misi to change its meaning entirely. For example, adding a suffix can turn 'cat' into 'cat-like' or 'little cat' without needing separate adjectives.
- Because cats were introduced by Europeans, ancient Quechua texts used descriptors for 'small wild felines' rather than a single word like misi for the house pet.
Examples in context
- Misiqa kashan wasipi.The cat is in the house.
- Kay misiqa sumaqmi.This cat is beautiful.
- Misiqa mikun.The cat eats.
Example conversation
Wayllu and Maria are looking for a pet in the house.
- WaylluMaria, maypin misiy kashan?Maria, where is my cat?
- MariaMisiyki qapaq kashan.Your cat is sleeping.
- WaylluChay misi sumaqmi.That cat is beautiful.
- MariaArí, misi sumaqmi.Yes, the cat is beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cat” translations and entries misi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
