kuting
/kuˈtiŋ/
The Tagalog word for kitty is kuting.
kuting is a pet name for a cat of any age (noun).
Meaning: pet name for a cat of any age (noun)
Which one should you use?
While kuting specifically refers to a kitten or a small cat, pusa is the general term for a cat of any age.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make kuting plural, add the particle mga before it.
How do you pronounce it?
/kuˈtiŋ/
Did you know?
- While kuting is used for kittens, Filipinos often use the word muning as a generic pet name or a way to call any cat, similar to saying 'kitty' in English.
- The word kuting comes from a Proto-Malayo-Polynesian root, meaning the word predates the formation of the modern Tagalog language by thousands of years.
- Tagalog speakers may use the term ming-ming as an onomatopoeic name for a kuting, mimicking the sound of a meow.
Examples in context
- Ang cute ng kuting na ito.This kitty is so cute.
- Binigyan ko ng gatas ang kuting.I gave the kitty some milk.
Example conversation
Ricardo and Christina are looking at a pet store window.
- RicardoChristina, tingnan mo itong kuting!Christina, look at this kitty!
- ChristinaAng liit naman niya, Ricardo.It is so small, Ricardo.
- RicardoBili tayo ng kuting para sa atin.Let's buy a kitty for us.
- ChristinaSige, basta ikaw ang magpapakain.Okay, as long as you are the one to feed it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry kuting, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
