pusa
/ˈpusaʔ/
The English word for cat in Tagalog is pusa.
The most common and universally understood term for a cat in Tagalog is pusa.
Meaning: domestic species (noun)
Which one should you use?
While pusa refers to the domestic species in general, the colloquial term Puspin is used specifically to refer to a mixed-breed cat. This term is a portmanteau of pusa and aspin.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpusaʔ/
Did you know?
- The word pusa likely originally referred to a Malayan weasel rather than a feline species.
- In Filipino culture, a pusa is often jokingly called a ming-ming based on the sound of a meow.
- The term Puspin follows the naming convention of aspin, which is a portmanteau of aso meaning 'dog' and 'pinoy' meaning 'native'.
Examples in context
- Pusa ba 'yan o aso?Is that a cat or a dog?This sentence is useful for distinguishing between a cat and a dog.Tatoeba #8635334 by artemio, translation #67041 by Eldad
- Nakito ko ang pusa.I saw the cat.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific cat.Tatoeba #13807124 by kangkong, translation #5840359 by CK
- Tantanan mo ang pusa.Stop bothering the cat.This sentence is useful for telling someone to stop bothering the pusa.Tatoeba #11273042 by qwertzu, translation #9424217 by CK
- Ang pusa ay isang maamong hayop.The cat is a gentle animal.
- Nag-adopt ako ng puspin at hindi ko inisip na magiging napakatalino at mabait ito.I adopted a mixed-breed cat without thinking that it would be so intelligent and kind.
- 82 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Jose and Jasmine are looking at a stray cat in the garden.
- JoseMay pusa sa hardin, Jasmine.There is a cat in the garden, Jasmine.
- JasmineAng cute ng pusa na 'yan!That cat is so cute!
- JoseGusto mo ba siyang alagaan?Do you want to take care of it?
- JasmineOo, bibigyan ko siya ng pagkain.Yes, I will give it some food.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cat” translations and entries pusa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries pusa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
