Kater
/ˈkaː.tɐ/
The German phrase for male cat is Kater.
Kater is used to describe a domestic cat that is male.
Which one should you use?
While Katze is the general term for a cat or can specifically refer to a female cat, Kater refers specifically to a male cat.
How does it change in a sentence?
Kater is a masculine noun and takes the article der in the nominative case. In the genitive case, the word takes an -s ending: Katers. The plural form remains Kater in the nominative, meaning the word does not change.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈkaː.tɐ/.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use Katze to refer to a male cat. However, you should use Kater to be precise when referring to a male.
Did you know?
- In German slang, the word Kater can also be used to describe a 'hangover' after a night of heavy drinking. This is a humorous play on the word 'Katarrh', or catarrh, which relates to nasal congestion.
- The English verb 'to caterwaul', describing a shrill howling sound, shares the same linguistic roots as the German Kater.
- The term Katzenjammer refers to the misery of a hangover. It literally translates to 'cat's misery' or 'cat's wail', evoking the sound of fighting male cats.
Examples in context
- Tom ist ein guter Name für einen Kater.Tom is a good name for a male cat.This sentence is useful for suggesting names for a Kater.Tatoeba #10212694 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #10212620 by shekitten
- Bitte passen Sie auf den Kater auf.Please keep an eye on the male cat.
- Der Kater ist sehr verspielt.The male cat is very playful.
- Ich möchte einen Kater adoptieren.I would like to adopt a male cat.
- Ich habe einen großen Kater.I have a big male cat.
- Der kleine Kater ist so niedlich!The small male cat is so adorable!
- Der Kater schläft auf dem Sofa.The male cat is sleeping on the sofa.
Example conversation
Maximilian and Sarah are talking about their pets.
- MaximilianIch habe einen kleinen Kater.I have a little male cat.
- SarahWie heißt er?What is his name?
- MaximilianEr heißt Leo.His name is Leo.
- SarahDas ist ein süßer Name.That is a cute name.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Kater, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Kater, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
