gattino
/ɡatˈti.no/
The Italian word for kitty is gattino.
The term is a pet name for a cat of any age. While it is a diminutive used for affection, it also literally denotes a young cat (a kitten).
Meaning: pet name for a cat of any age (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word gattino is formed by the root gatto (cat) and the diminutive suffix -ino (little), literally meaning "little cat".
How does it change in a sentence?
The word changes based on gender and number: use gattina to refer specifically to a female kitty, gattini for multiple kitties and gattine for multiple female kitties.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ɡatˈti.no/. It has three syllables, with the stress on the second syllable.
Did you know?
- The word micio, often used for 'kitty', is an onomatopoeic term that mimics the sound a cat makes in Italian.
- Using the feminine form gattina can be a way to describe a woman who is perceived as being particularly 'cat-like' or charming in a playful way.
- The diminutive suffix -ino used in gattino can also be used to express something that is 'delicate' or 'refined' in other contexts.
Examples in context
- Il gattino sta cercando di nascondersi dalla pioggia.The kitty is trying to hide from the rain.This sentence shows the use of gattino to describe a kitten hiding from rain.Tatoeba #3506150 by Guybrush88, translation #2937225 by astyng
- Gattino, tu sei il mio bambino.Kitty, you are my ditty.This sentence shows gattino being used as a direct address for a pet.Tatoeba #5220738 by Balamax, translation #4990691 by Balamax
- Ho appena adottato un gattino. È così carino!I just adopted a kitty. He's so cute!
- Quella gattina bianca è molto giocosa.That white kitty is very playful.
- La mia vicina ha una micetta grigia che è molto affettuosa.My neighbor has a gray kitty that is very affectionate.
- Ho trovato un micio randagio nel parco.I found a stray kitty in the park.
- La nostra micia prende il sole sul balcone.Our kitty is sunbathing on the balcony.
- Il gattino è molto dolce.The kitty is very sweet.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Giulia are looking at a cat in a window.
- LorenzoGuarda quel gattino, Giulia!Look at that kitty, Giulia!
- GiuliaÈ davvero carino, Lorenzo.It is really cute, Lorenzo.
- LorenzoVuoi portarlo a casa?Do you want to bring it home?
- GiuliaSì, mi piace molto!Yes, I like it a lot!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry gattino, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
