ко́тик
kótikmasculine
Kitty in Russian is ко́тик (kótik), an affectionate word for a cat, with ки́са another common choice. If unsure, use ко́тик. Wiktionary also lists ки́ска (kíska) and ко́шечка (kóšečka).
Meaning: pet name for a cat of any age (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ко́тик | kótik | masculine |
| ки́са | kísa | feminine |
| ки́ска | kíska | feminine |
| ко́шечка | kóšečka | feminine |
ко́тик is informal and endearing and is often used for a male cat.
Which one should you use?
ки́са is a very common affectionate way to call a female cat or any cat. ко́шечка is a diminutive of the word for cat that adds extra sweetness. Playful variations include Кисуня and Котейка.
How does it change in a sentence?
ко́тик is masculine, while ки́са, ки́ска and ко́шечка are feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
Following the romanization kótik, the stress falls on the first syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful with ки́ска. It literally means kitty, but it is often used as a sexualized slang term for a woman.
Did you know?
- The diminutive suffix used in ко́тик and ко́шечка can be applied to people, making these words common romantic pet names for partners.
- Russian speakers sometimes use the word котейка to describe a cat in a particularly whimsical or 'Internet-speak' way, similar to how English speakers might use 'floof'.
- Russian has a vast system of diminutive suffixes that allow speakers to create an almost infinite variety of 'kitty' words, such as котейка or кисуня, to precisely calibrate the level of sweetness.
Examples in context
- Этот ко́тик очень смешной.Etot kotik ochen' smeshnoy.This kitty is very funny.
- Где мой маленький ко́тик?Gde moy malen'kiy kotik?Where is my little kitty?
- Ко́тик спит на диване.Kotik spit na divane.The kitty is sleeping on the sofa.
Example conversation
Maria and Andrey are looking at a cat in the living room.
- Мария MariaСмотри, какой милый ко́тик!Smotri, kakoy milyy kotik!Look, what a cute kitty!
- Андрей AndreyДа, он очень красивый.Da, on ochen' krasivyy.Yes, he is very beautiful.
- Мария MariaАндрей, погладь его.Andrey, poglad' yego.Andrey, pet him.
- Андрей AndreyОн мне нравится.On mne nravitsya.I like him.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kitty” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
