Ways to say it
| Polish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| kotek | /ˈkɔ.tɛk/ | masculine |
| kocię | /ˈkɔ.t͡ɕɛ/ /ˈkɔ.t͡ɕɛw̃/ |
neuter |
| kociak | /ˈkɔ.t͡ɕak/ | masculine |
The terms are used to refer to a young cat. You may also use related verbs such as okocić się or kocić się to describe the act of giving birth to kittens.
Which one should you use?
While the base word for a cat is kot, kotek is a diminutive form used to emphasize smallness or to express endearment. Kociak is a more colloquial term and can be used figuratively to describe a young, cute person or someone acting like a 'sweetie'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
kotek is a masculine noun and is the most common way to refer to a kitten affectionately. kociak is also a masculine noun. kocię is a neuter noun, which requires the use of neuter adjectives and verbs in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈkɔ.tɛk/. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In Polish culture, calling someone a kotek is a common term of endearment for a romantic partner, regardless of their age.
- The root of kotek is the same as the word for an adult cat, kot, which shares an ancient ancestor with the Latin 'cattus'.
- If you are talking about a kitten as a biological entity, you might use the neuter kocię, but if you are cooing at it, you will almost always use the masculine kotek.
Examples in context
- Młody tygrys wyglądał jak duży kociak.The tiger cub looked like a large kitten.This sentence shows how kociak can be used to compare a cub to a kitten.Tatoeba #3492099 by Siganiv, translation #36937 by CK
- Kotek chce spać.The kitten wants to sleep.Tatoeba #6935857 by jestembluepanda2, translation #1432418 by CK
- Kotek spał głęboko.The kitten slept soundly.Tatoeba #3561271 by Bilberry, translation #1780247 by Bah_Dure
- Widziałem słodkie kociątko w ogrodzie.I saw a cute kitten in the garden.
- Gdzie jesteś, moja mała koteczko?Where are you, my little kitten?
- Co tam, kotku? Czy chcesz zjeść?What's up, little kitten? Do you want to eat?
- O matko! Jaki ten kociak jest uroczy!Oh, mother! How adorable this kitten is!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Piotr and Katarzyna are looking at a new pet.
- PiotrSpójrz, Katarzyno, jaki piękny kotek!Look, Katarzyna, what a beautiful kitten!
- KatarzynaTak, ten kotek jest uroczy.Yes, this kitten is adorable.
- PiotrCzy chcesz go adoptować?Do you want to adopt him?
- KatarzynaMyślę, że tak, Piotrze.I think so, Piotr.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kitten” translations and entries kotek, kocię, kociak, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kociak, kocię, kotek, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
