おいで、おいで
oide, oide
The English phrase "kitty kitty" can be translated into Japanese as おいで、おいで (oide, oide).
おいで、おいで is used to call a pet, such as a cat or a dog, to come toward the speaker.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word おいで means "come". Repeating the word as おいで、おいで mimics the repetitive, rhythmic way English speakers say "kitty kitty" to attract an animal's attention.
How do you pronounce it?
oide, oide
Did you know?
- In Japan, you are more likely to attract a cat's attention by making a clicking sound with your tongue or saying にゃんにゃん ('nyan nyan') rather than using verbal commands like おいで.
- The concept of 'calling a cat' is linked to the 'Maneki-neko' or 'beckoning cat' figurine, which uses a physical gesture that mirrors the intent of the phrase おいで.
- While you might use おいで for a pet, calling a human to come to you using the same phrase can sound quite condescending or overly affectionate, similar to calling a person 'come here, little one'.
Examples in context
- おいで、おいで。Oide, oide.Come here, kitty kitty.
- 猫ちゃん、おいで、おいで。Neko-chan, oide, oide.Kitty, kitty, come here.
- おいで、おいで、ここだよ。Oide, oide, koko da yo.Come here, kitty kitty, I'm over here.
Example conversation
Hiromi is trying to call a cat in the park.
- 陽葵 Himariあ、猫がいる！おいで、おいで。A, neko ga iru! Oide, oide.Ah, there's a cat! Kitty kitty, come here.
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ、可愛いね。Hontou da, kawaii ne.You're right, it's cute.
- 陽葵 Himariおいで、おいで、こっちだよ。Oide, oide, kocchi da yo.Come here, kitty kitty, this way.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵、こっちに来たよ。Himari, kocchi ni kita yo.Himari, it came toward us.
