Ways to say it
| Serbian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| мачка | Cyrillic, feminine | ||
| мачак | máčak | Cyrillic, masculine | |
| мачор | mȁčor | /mât͡ʃor/ | Cyrillic, masculine |
| мачић | Cyrillic, diminutive, feminine | ||
| маца | Hypocoristic | /mǎːt͡sa/ | Cyrillic, feminine |
| мачкица | Cyrillic, diminutive, feminine | ||
| mačka | Latin, feminine | ||
| mačak | Latin, masculine | ||
| mačor | /mât͡ʃor/ | Latin, masculine | |
| mačić | Latin, diminutive, feminine | ||
| maca (Hypocoristic) | Latin, feminine | ||
| mačkica | Latin, diminutive, feminine |
The term refers to the domestic species of cat. Depending on the gender of the cat or the level of affection you wish to express, different forms are used.
Which one should you use?
While мачка is the general term for a cat, мачак specifically refers to a male cat. The term мачор is often used to specifically refer to an unneutered or intact male cat. For a smaller or more endearing reference to a female cat, you can use the diminutive мачкица.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The forms маца and мачор are used informally. Маца is a hypocoristic or pet name used to address or talk about a cat affectionately, similar to 'kitty' in English. Мачор is an informal way to specify a male cat, often implying he is unneutered. Мачкица is also an informal way to refer to a female cat.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form мачкица is the diminutive of мачка, used to express endearment or to describe a small female cat.
Did you know?
- The word мачка descends from the Proto-Slavic root *maca, which was an ancient onomatopoeic term used specifically to call out to a 'pussycat'.
- While маца is used for cats, it is also a common nickname for people who are perceived as cuddly or sweet.
- Serbian uses the feminine мачка as the general category name, even when referring to a group of cats that includes males.
Examples in context
- Ова мачка није наша.This cat is not ours.This sentence shows how to use the form мачка to indicate possession.Tatoeba #13631968 by cafoc64474, translation #1580069 by fanty
- Mačka je u ovoj sobi.There is a cat in this room.This sentence shows how to use the form mačka to indicate location.Tatoeba #2925904 by Lebad, translation #2860374 by shekitten
- Мачка жели да улови миша.The cat wants to catch the mouse.This sentence shows how to use the form мачка to describe an action.Tatoeba #8823901 by Lebad, translation #8822294 by carlosalberto
- Jeste li videli tu macu? Ona je tako slatka!Have you seen that cat? She is so cute!
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ana and Luka are talking about their pets at home.
- AnaДа ли твоја мачка долази?Is your cat coming?
- LukaДа, моја мачка је већ ту.Yes, my cat is already here.
- AnaОна је баш лепа.She is really beautiful.
- LukaХвала, она је врло паметна.Thanks, she is very smart.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cat” translations and entries мачак, мачор, маца, mačak, mačor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries мачак, мачка, мачор, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
