Cat in Spanish | 6 Words & Examples
The noun cat in Spanish is most often “gato,” although it could also be:
- Felino
- Michi
- Michino
- Minino
- Cucho
How to say cat in Spanish
There are several ways to say cat in Spanish. These words have different connotations and different regional usage throughout the Spanish-speaking world.
Gato
“Gato” (pronounced gah-toh) is the most universal word for cat in Spanish. This is a neutral world that is used and understood throughout the Hispanophone world.
“Gato” is a masculine noun, which means any determiner you use with it must also be masculine. For example, “a cat” in Spanish would be “un gato,” as “un” is the masculine form of “a.”
To refer to a female cat in Spanish, use “gata,” the feminine form of “gato.” You can use this gendered form if you know the cat in question (e.g., your pet) or if a cat’s gender is specifically relevant (e.g., you’re a veterinarian). If you don’t know the cat’s gender (e.g., you see a cat on the street), use “gato” as the generic term.
Make sure that any adjectives you use to describe a cat in Spanish matches the gender of the cat you’re talking about.
En casa tenemos dos gatos negros y una gata blanca. [At home, we have two black male cats and one white female cat.]
Quiero adoptar a un gato. [I want to adopt a cat.]
Since many people love cats, it’s common to hear “gatito” or “gatita.” This would literally mean “little cat,” but the meaning is more similar in English to “kitty.”
For example, “Quiero a mi gatito” would mean something like “I love my kitty.”
Felino
“Felino” (pronounced feh-lee-noh) translates literally as “feline.” It’s also used to say big cat in Spanish. For example, tigers, lions, and leopards are “felinos.”
“Felino” can also be an adjective meaning “cat-like.” As an adjective, its gender must change to match the noun it describes.
Todos los felinos son carnívoros. [All big cats are carnivorous.]
El bailarín tiene una agilidad felina. [The dancer has a cat-like agility.]
Michi
“Michi” (pronounced mee-chee) is a colloquial way to say cat in Spanish, particularly a house cat. Using “michi” is similar to using the English word “kitty.”
“Michi” is understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world, but it’s most commonly used in Latin America. “Michi” doesn’t have a gender, but you might also hear “micho” (the masculine version) or “micha” (the feminine version).
Mi michi se está durmiendo en el sofá. [My cat is sleeping on the sofa.]
Mi hermana tiene un michi muy cariñoso. [My sister has a very affectionate cat.]
Michino
“Michino” (pronounced mee-chee-noh) is very similar in meaning and regional usage to “michi.” The suffix “-ino” expresses smallness or affection, so “michino” is an even more affectionate way to say cat in Spanish. “Michino” is the masculine form; the feminine form is “michina.”
¿Has visto a la michina? [Have you seen the cat?]
El michino tiene una cola muy larga. [The cat has a very long tail.]
Minino
“Minino” (pronounced mee-nee-noh) is another colloquial way to say cat in Spanish. Its meaning and usage matches those of “michi” and “michino.” “Minino” is used for male cats, and “minina” is used for female cats.
El minino de la vecina se perdió ayer. [The neighbor’s cat went missing yesterday.]
Nos encantan todos los mininos. [We love all cats.]
Cucho
“Cucho” (pronounced coo-choh) is a colloquial way to say cat in Spanish that is specific to Chile. “Cucho” can mean “hunchbacked” or “old” in other countries, so be careful when and where you use it.
Unlike some other words for cat in Spanish, “cucho” is only used in the masculine form.
Rosa cuida a los cuchos callejeros de Temuco. [Rosa cares for the stray cats of Temuco.]
Mi cucho es muy vago; ¡no hace nada! [My cat is so lazy; he doesn’t do anything!]
When you want to express this meaning, cat in Spanish is “tipo” [literally “type”] or “tío” [literally “uncle”]. If you’re speaking about a woman, use “tipa” or “tía.”
For example:
- Henry es un tipo guay. [Henry’s a cool cat.]
- Felicia es una tía con estilo. [Felicia’s a cat with style.]
- Ese tipo me intentó robar. [That cat tried to rob me.]
A QuillBot Grammar Check can make sure you use the correct words for your context.
Frequently asked questions about cat in Spanish
- How do you say cat scan in Spanish?
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“CAT scan” in Spanish is technically “tomografía axial computarizada,” but most people say “TAC” (pronounced tahk) for short.
This is a direct translation from “computerized axial tomography” in English, and we use the acronym CAT.
A CAT scan has nothing to do with a real cat. Although in English these words sound the same, cat in Spanish is “gato,” and this word isn’t used in any way to refer to a CAT scan.
QuillBot’s free Translator can help you avoid confusion when translating phrases like these.
- What does gata mean in Spanish?
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“Gata” (pronounced gah-tah) means cat in Spanish, but it specifies that you’re talking about a female cat.
The standard word for “cat” is “gato,” which is masculine. But Spanish animal nouns can sometimes change gender if the animal is familiar to you (e.g., your pet) or if the gender is relevant in context (e.g., biology).
If you use “gata,” make sure to also use feminine determiners like “una” [“a”] or “la” [“the”] and adjectives like “blanca” [“white”].
A QuillBot Grammar Check can make sure you use the correct determiners and adjectives with “gata.”
- What does gato mean?
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“Gato” (pronounced gah-toh) means cat in Spanish.
Nouns in Spanish are gendered. “Gato” is a masculine noun, so if accompanied by determiners or adjectives, these must also be in the masculine form (e.g., “el gato negro,” which means “the black cat”).
A QuillBot Grammar Check can make sure you use determiners and adjectives that agree with the gender of Spanish nouns.
- What sound does a cat make in Spanish?
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In Spanish, a cat makes the sound “miau.” This is onomatopoeia, just like “meow” in English.
For example, “El gato dice miau” means “The cat says meow.” “El” is the determiner “the,” “gato” is cat in Spanish, and “dice” comes from the verb “decir” [“to say”].
QuillBot’s free Translator can help you translate onomatopoeic words like “meow” into the Spanish versions.
- What’s the name for cat litter in Spanish?
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“Cat litter” in Spanish is most commonly “arena para gatos” (pronounced ah-reh-nah pah-rah gah-tos).
“Arena” is the noun “sand,” “para” is the preposition “for,” and “gato” is cat in Spanish. While this phrase literally translates as “sand for cats,” it means “cat litter.”
Other words for “cat litter” are “arena higiénica” [literally “hygienic sand”] or “piedras sanitarias” [literally “sanitary stones”].
QuillBot’s free Translator can help you translate phrases like this one.
