Kätzchen
/ˈkɛtsçən/
In German, kitty is translated as Kätzchen.
The word is a pet name used for a cat of any age.
Meaning: pet name for a cat of any age (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Kätzchen is a diminutive of Katze (cat), created by adding the suffix -chen to mean little cat.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is neuter, appearing as das Kätzchen and this gender applies regardless of the biological sex of the cat. The form remains the same in both singular and plural because diminutive nouns ending in -chen do not take an additional -e for the plural.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkɛtsçən/
Did you know?
- While Kätzchen is the standard term, German speakers often use the word Mieze or Miezmiez to call a cat, similar to saying 'puss puss' in English.
- In German, the word Katze is used as a general term for both the species and a female cat, but Kater is used specifically for an adult male cat.
- The suffix -chen can be applied to almost any noun to make it 'cute' or smaller, meaning you can create makeshift 'kitty-like' versions of objects that are not animals.
Examples in context
- Sieh nur! Ein Kätzchen!Look! A kitty!This sentence is useful for expressing excitement about seeing a kitty.Tatoeba #9979742 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #9979306 by shekitten
- Draußen ist ein Kätzchen.There's a kitty outside.This sentence is useful for stating that a kitty is located outside.Tatoeba #11267604 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #11265767 by shekitten
- Du bist ein braves Kätzchen.You're a good kitty.This sentence is useful for telling a kitty that it is behaving well.Tatoeba #7088649 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7087081 by shekitten
- Hallo, ich interessiere mich für ein kleines Kätzchen.Hello, I'm interested in a little kitten.
- Hallo! Wie geht es deiner süßen Miezekatze?Hello! How is your sweet kitty-cat doing?
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Maximilian are looking at a cat in a window.
- HannahSchau mal, ein kleines Kätzchen!Look, a little kitty!
- MaximilianEs ist wirklich süß.It is really cute.
- HannahMöchtest du das Kätzchen streicheln?Do you want to pet the kitty?
- MaximilianJa, es sieht sehr friedlich aus.Yes, it looks very peaceful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Kätzchen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
