кис-кис
kis-kis
The English phrase "kitty kitty" is translated into Russian as кис-кис (kis-kis).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is a reduplicated onomatopoeic sound. It does not change its form regardless of whether you are calling one cat or multiple cats.
How do you pronounce it?
kis-kis
Did you know?
- While кис-кис is the standard call, some Russians use the word кс-кс to shoo a cat away or warn it not to jump on a table.
- In Russian culture, calling a cat кис-кис is so ingrained that the word киса has become a common affectionate term for a romantic partner, similar to 'kitten' or 'sweetie'.
- The phonetic structure of кис-кис is designed to produce sibilant, high-frequency sounds that trigger a cat's predatory auditory instincts, much like the rustling of small prey in grass.
Examples in context
- Кис-кис!Here, kitty kitty!This sentence is useful for learning how to call a cat using кис-кис.Tatoeba #799215 by FeuDRenais, translation #799217 by FeuDRenais2
- Киса, приходи сюда!Kitty, come here!
- Кис-кис, иди сюда!Kis-kis, idi syuda!Kitty kitty, come here!
- Я кричу: «Кис-кис!», но кошка не идёт.Ya krychu: "Kis-kis!", no koshka ne idyot.I say 'kitty kitty!', but the cat doesn't come.
Example conversation
Olga is trying to find her cat in the living room.
- Дмитрий DmitryОльга, где наш кот?Ol'ga, gde nash kot?Olga, where is our cat?
- Ольга OlgaЯ не знаю, попробуй позвать его: кис-кис!Ya ne znayu, poprobuy pozvat' yego: kis-kis!I don't know, try calling him: kitty kitty!
- Дмитрий DmitryКис-кис, малыш!Kis-kis, malysh!Kitty kitty, little one!
- Ольга OlgaСмотри, он спрятался под диваном.Smotri, on spryatalsya pod divanom.Look, he is hiding under the sofa.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
