茶トラ
chatora
The Japanese phrase for ginger cat is 茶トラ, also known as chatora.
茶トラ is used to describe a cat with orange or reddish-brown fur. You can also be more explicit by using the form 茶トラ猫.
Which one should you use?
茶トラ is often used alone to refer to the cat itself, whereas 茶トラ猫 includes the specific word for cat (neko) to be more explicit.
How do you pronounce it?
chatora
Did you know?
- The word トラ (tora) in 茶トラ actually means 'tiger'. While English speakers use 'ginger' or 'orange' for the color, Japanese speakers literally call these cats 'tea-tiger' cats.
- In Japanese folklore and pop culture, 茶トラ cats are often stereotyped as being more friendly, gluttonous and mischievous than other colors.
- The term トラ (tora) is used for all tabby patterns in Japanese, not just orange ones. For example, a grey tabby is called キジトラ (kiji-tora), which translates to 'pheasant-tiger'.
Examples in context
- 彼は茶トラが好きです。Kare wa chatora ga suki desu.He likes ginger cats.
- あそこに茶トラがいます。Asoko ni chatora ga imasu.There is a ginger cat over there.
- 私の猫は茶トラです。Watashi no neko wa chatora desu.My cat is a ginger cat.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are looking at photos of pets.
- 美咲 Misaki健太くんの猫は茶トラなの？Kenta-kun no neko wa chatora nano?Is your cat a ginger cat, Kenta?
- 健太 Kentaうん、茶トラのオスだよ。Un, chatora no osu dayo.Yeah, he's a ginger male.
- 美咲 Misaki色がすごくきれいだね。Iro ga sugoku kirei da ne.The color is really beautiful.
- 健太 Kentaありがとう、自慢の猫なんだ。Arigato, jiman no neko nanda.Thanks, I'm proud of him.
