kissanpentu
/ˈkisːɑnˌpentu/
The Finnish word for kitten is kissanpentu.
The term kissanpentu refers specifically to a young cat. In informal Finnish, you may also hear Mirri used to refer to both cats and kittens or simply Pentu to refer to the young of both cats and dogs.
Meaning: a young cat (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word kissanpentu is a compound formed from kissa (cat), the genitive form kissan (cat's) and pentu (offspring or young).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural (kittens), use kissanpennut. The genitive singular (kitten's) is kissanpennun, and the illative case (into a kitten) is kissanpentoon.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkisːɑnˌpentu/
Did you know?
- In Finnish, the term pentu can be used affectionately or colloquially to refer to a young child, regardless of their relation to cats.
- The word kissa shares a distant linguistic root with the English word 'cat', as both likely derived from an imitation of the sound cats make to attract humans.
- Finnish has no single word for 'puppy', so the same word pentu used for a kitten is also the standard word for a young dog.
Examples in context
- Minulla on kissanpentu ja koira.I have a kitten and a dog.This sentence demonstrates how to say you have a kitten and a dog using kissanpentu.Tatoeba #3817405 by Silja, translation #8190344 by PWRWR
- Tuo kissanpentu on niin suloinen.That kitten is so cute.This sentence describes a kitten as being cute using kissanpentu.Tatoeba #5729119 by awrynai, translation #5499294 by mailohilohi
- Moottori kehrää kuin kissanpentu.The engine purrs like a kitten.This sentence uses a simile comparing an engine to a kitten using kissanpentu.Tatoeba #6084606 by Orava, translation #6052530 by Hybrid
- Pennut ovat niin suloisia! Erityisesti mussukat hurmaavat minut aina.The kittens are so adorable! Especially the little "mussukat."
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Anna and Matti are looking at a pet store window.
- AnnaKatso, tuo pieni kissanpentu on ihana!Look, that little kitten is lovely!
- MattiSe on todella söpö, Anna.It is really cute, Anna.
- AnnaHaluaisin ottaa tuon kissanpennun kotiin.I would like to take that kitten home.
- MattiMeidän on ensin kysyttävä asiasta.We have to ask about it first.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kitten” translations and entries kissanpentu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
