minou
/mi.nu/
In French, kitty is minou.
The term is a pet name for a cat of any age. It is an informal, affectionate term used primarily for pets or when speaking to children.
Meaning: pet name for a cat of any age (noun)
Which one should you use?
While minou is the default, you may use Miminou for an even more informal and affectionate tone. Although Toutou primarily means dog, it can be used playfully to refer to a little kitty.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The term minou is informal. Miminou is also informal and affectionate.
How does it change in a sentence?
The feminine form of this pet name is minette.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables and is pronounced /mi.nu/.
Did you know?
- While 'kitty' is harmless in English, the French word minou can function as vulgar slang for female anatomy, much like the English word 'pussy'.
- The term minou can be used as a romantic pet name for a partner, functioning like the English words 'honey' or 'sweetheart'.
- While minette is the feminine form of 'kitty', it is also a common slang term for a young, fashionable, or coquettish woman.
Examples in context
- Par ici, minou, minou !Here, kitty kitty!This sentence shows how to call a kitty over to you using minou.Tatoeba #1809119 by sacredceltic, translation #799217 by FeuDRenais2
- Je viens d'adopter un adorable chaton.I just adopted an adorable kitty.
- Viens ici, mon miminou adoré !Come here, my beloved kitty!
- Le petit minou dort sur le canapé.The little kitty is sleeping on the sofa.
- Est-ce que ce minou est à vous ?Is this kitty yours?
Example conversation
Chloé and Nathan are at a friend's house looking at a cat.
- ChloéRegarde ce beau minou, Nathan !Look at this beautiful kitty, Nathan!
- NathanIl est très mignon, Chloé.He is very cute, Chloé.
- ChloéEst-ce que je peux le caresser ?Can I pet him?
- NathanOui, il est très gentil.Yes, he is very friendly.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry minou, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
