What does it mean word for word?
The phrase lindo gatito literally means "pretty little cat". It is composed of lindo (pretty/cute) and gatito, which is the diminutive form of gato (cat), meaning "little cat".
Which one should you use?
Using the diminutive suffix -ito in gatito makes the phrase sound much more affectionate and "cute" than simply saying gato lindo (pretty cat).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, you may hear gato hermoso to mean "beautiful cat". In Spain, minino precioso is a way to express admiration for a pretty kitty.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the cat is female, both the adjective and the noun must change to their feminine forms: linda gatita. Use the masculine lindo for male cats. To make the phrase plural, both words take the -s ending: lindos gatitos.
How do you pronounce it?
/lindo ɡatito/
Did you know?
- The adjective lindo is a distant relative of the English word 'legible'. Both words trace back to the Latin concept of being 'lawful' or 'proper'.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, using the diminutive -ito can be used to soften a request or make a statement sound less aggressive, even when not talking about animals.
Examples in context
- ¡Mira, un lindo gatito!Look, a pretty kitty!
- ¡Mira ese lindo gatito!Look at that pretty kitty!
- Es un lindo gatito de color blanco.It is a pretty little white kitty.
- Tu lindo gatito tiene mucha hambre.Your pretty kitty is very hungry.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are looking at a cat in a window.
- DanielMira, María, ¡qué lindo gatito!Look, María, what a pretty kitty!
- MaríaEs verdad, es muy pequeño.It's true, it is very small.
- DanielMe gustaría adoptar a ese lindo gatito.I would like to adopt that pretty kitty.
- MaríaSería una idea maravillosa, Daniel.That would be a wonderful idea, Daniel.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gatito, lindo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
