おいで
oide
The English phrase "here kitty kitty" is translated into Japanese as おいで (oide).
おいで is used to call a cat to come closer to the speaker. To achieve the specific effect of "here kitty kitty," Japanese speakers often repeat the word or use a higher pitch.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
おいで is an informal form used when speaking to pets, children or close friends.
How do you pronounce it?
oide
When do people say it?
To say "Come here" specifically to a cat, you can use the informal phrase こっちおいで.
Did you know?
- While English speakers might use 'kitty' as a name, Japanese people often use the onomatopoeia にゃー (nyaa), which mimics a cat's meow, to get a cat's attention.
- The word おいで is a contraction of おいでなさい, a polite command that became an affectionate invitation over time.
- In Japan, calling a cat with おいで is often accompanied by a specific hand gesture where the fingers are curled and moved toward the speaker.
Examples in context
- こっちにおいで。Kotchi ni oide.Come over here.
Example conversation
陽太 is trying to get a stray cat to approach him in the park.
- 陽太 Yota猫ちゃん、おいで。Neko-chan, oide.Kitty, come here.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太くん、全然来ないよ。Hinata-kun, zenzen konai yo.Hinata, it's not coming at all.
- 陽太 Yotaおいで、おいで！Oide, oide!Come here, come here!
- 陽葵 Himariあ、来た！A, kita!Ah, it came!
