How to Say "Cat" in Japanese - How To Say Guide

猫

neko[ne̞ko̞]

The Japanese word for cat is 猫 (neko). Wiktionary also lists 家猫 (ieneko).

Meaning: domestic species (noun)

Ways to say it

“cat” in Japanese
Japanese	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
家猫	ieneko
猫	neko	[ne̞ko̞] (narrow) [ne̞ko̞ma̠] (narrow)

The term is used to refer to the domestic species of cat.

The word 家猫 (ieneko) literally means "house cat", composed of ie (house) and neko (cat).

While 家猫 specifically refers to a domestic house cat, 猫 is the general term used for any cat.

neko

Historically, the word neko was sometimes used to refer to a 'raccoon dog' or 'tanuki'.
The word 猫 (neko) may be derived from the sound a cat makes, specifically the first syllable ね (ne).

私は猫です。
I'm a cat.
This sentence is useful for stating that you are a cat using 猫.
Tatoeba #3456487 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #2068371 by shekitten
俺は猫かい？
Am I a cat?
This sentence is useful for asking if you are a cat using 猫.
Tatoeba #9963984 by Sim5634, translation #9963970 by DJ_Saidez
猫に九生あり。
A cat has nine lives.
This sentence is useful for stating that a cat has nine lives using 猫.
Tatoeba #121984 by KK_kaku_, translation #282019 by CM
彼女はとても可愛い猫を飼っています。
She owns a very cute cat.
彼の家には三毛猫がいます。本当にかわいいんですよ。
He has a calico cat at his house. It's really cute, you know.
公園でミケちゃんを見かけたんだけど、とても人懐っこくて可愛かったよ。
I saw a calico cat at the park. It was very friendly and cute.
414 more sentences on Tatoeba

Yui and Kenta are looking at a cute cat in a cafe.

結衣 Yui

あそこに可愛い猫がいますよ。
Asoko ni kawaii neko ga imasu yo.
There is a cute cat over there.
健太 Kenta

本当だ、猫が寝ていますね。
Hontou da, neko ga nete imasu ne.
You're right, the cat is sleeping.
結衣 Yui

健太さんは猫が好きですか？
Kenta-san wa neko ga suki desu ka?
Kenta, do you like cats?
健太 Kenta

はい、大好きです。
Hai, daisuki desu.
Yes, I love them.

Sources

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