קאַץ
kats[kats]feminine
The Yiddish word for cat is קאַץ (kats).
קאַץ refers to the domestic species of cat.
Meaning: domestic species (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Yiddish influenced by Russian, the term koshka is used for cat.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of קאַץ is קאַצן.
How do you pronounce it?
kats
Did you know?
- In some traditional Jewish households, the קאַץ was historically valued specifically for its ability to keep grain stores free of rodents in the shtetls.
- The word קאַץ is a close relative of the English word 'cat', as both descended from the Late Latin word catta.
- While קאַץ is the standard term, the Russian-influenced koshka often appears in Yiddish literature to signal a character's specific social class or background.
Examples in context
- ער האָט אַ קאַץ.He has a cat.This sentence shows how to use קאַץ to indicate possession.Tatoeba #7882963 by shekitten, translation #5160823 by CarpeLanam
- איך בין אַ קאַץ.I'm a cat.This sentence shows how to use קאַץ to describe oneself.Tatoeba #8351003 by shekitten, translation #2068371 by shekitten
- די קאַץ איז גיי.This cat is gay.This sentence shows how to use קאַץ to describe a cat's state.Tatoeba #9126505 by shekitten, translation #9125211 by shekitten
- 247 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yitzhak and Chana are talking about a pet in the house.
- יצחק Yitzchakחנה, האָט איר אַ קאַץ?Chana, hot ir a kats?Chana, do you have a cat?
- חנה Chanaיאָ, איך האָב אַ קאַץ.Yo, ikh hob a kats.Yes, I have a cat.
- יצחק Yitzchakאיז די קאַץ גרוי?Iz di kats groy?Is the cat grey?
- חנה Chanaניין, זי איז שוואַרץ.Nayn, zi iz shvarts.No, she is black.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cat” translations and entries קאַץ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries קאַץ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
