How to Say Cat in Japanese: A Complete Guide

The basic word for cat in Japanese is: 猫 (neko). As you learn more Japanese, you’ll find that there are many ways to describe cats (depending on their type).

You may want to be a cat because they sleep most of the day happily. Japanese people say that cats are geniuses at finding the most comfortable place to sleep. Some people even believe that cats were named ねこ (neko) because they love to sleep like a child. 寝る (neru): sleep + 子 (ko): child = neko

How to Say Cat in Japanese

Neko can be written in 3 different ways in Japanese:

  • Hiragana: ねこ (neko)
  • Katakana: ネコ (neko)
  • Kanji: 猫 (neko)

If you are writing it out for children, you may want to use either hiragana or katakana because these are easier to read (and they might not know the kanji character yet). However, there are no strict rules regarding which character to use. Your preference can depend on your feeling or writing style.

How to Say Kitten in Japanese

The word for “kitten” in Japanese is pronounced “ko-neko.” Koneko can also be written in: 

  • Hiragana: こねこ (koneko
  • Katakana: コネコ (koneko)
  • Kanji: 子猫 (koneko)

Taking a look at the kanji, we can see the 子 (ko), which means “child,” and 猫 (neko), which means cat. So 子猫 (koneko) literally means a “child cat.”

Koneko is usually written in kanji (子猫) unless it’s for kids (children’s book, kindergarteners, etc.) 

The tricky part about writing kitten in Japanese is that it can be written in three different ways: 子猫, 仔猫, or 小猫. The 猫 (neko) character is the same, but the “ko” character changes. This is because “ko” has different kanji characters based on its meaning:

  • 子 (ko) = child
  • 仔 (ko) = young animal
  • 小 (ko) = small

子猫 (koneko) and 仔猫 (koneko) describe the age of a cat (kitten), but 小猫 (koneko) describes the size of a cat (small cat). However, all are pronounced the same. 子猫 is probably the most common kanji used for “kitten.”

Common Cat Words in Japanese Using 猫 (Neko)

A grey cat with black stripes on a hill with a Japanese style temple building and other building blurred in the background.

Here are some useful words related to cats in Japanese:

  • 家猫 (ie neko): indoor cat/house cat
  • 捨て猫 (sute neko): abandoned cat
  • 保護猫 (hogo neko): rescued cat
  • 野猫 (no neko): stray cat – an outdoor cat(s) who live in the wild by themselves
  • 野良猫 (nora neko): stray cat/alley cat – an outdoor cat(s) who lives in areas with humans (cities, towns, etc.)
  • 地域猫 (chiiki neko): outdoor cat(s) fed by humans (a “community” cat)

Some 地域猫 (chiiki neko) are called さくら猫 (sakura neko) because of their ear shape. To protect these outdoor cats, volunteers catch them so they can be neutered or spayed. Veterinarians cut the top of the cat’s ear, making a “V” shape. Because of this “V” shaped cut, their ears look similar to sakura (cherry blossom) petals. Japanese cat lovers eventually called those cats “さくら猫 (sakura neko).”

Sadly, many kittens and cats in Japan are known as 捨て猫 (sute neko), or abandoned cats. 捨てる (suteru) means “to throw away” or “abandon.”

Fortunately, many people rescue cats. Rescued cats are called 保護猫 (hogo neko). 保護 (hogo) means to protect. After cats are rescued, they often find a good home and become 家猫 (ie neko).

Cat Slang Words in Japanese

Once people invite a cat into their life, they begin to love the cat so much that they post their cat’s photos and stories all over social media. Sometimes, people make a mistake while typing “ねこ (neko).” These “mistakes” created Internet slang: ぬこ (nuko), ぬっこ (nukko), and ねっこ (nekko), all meaning the same as 猫 (neko).

How Does a Cat’s Meow Sound in Japanese

What do you call a cat’s “meow” in Japanese? The most common sound a cat makes is “にゃー (nyā).” You may also hear “にゃん (nyan)” or “にゃおん (nyaon).” The sound of an angry cat is “シャー (shaa).” In Japanese, “ゴロゴロ (goro goro)” is the sound a cat makes when purring. 

Do you know about “cat’s day” in Japan? It’s called 猫の日 (neko no hi), and it is on February 22nd. Two in Japanese is に (ni). Japanese cat lovers selected this day, 2.22 (ni ni ni), because it sounds like “nyan nyan nyan,” a cat’s meow.  

Note: When children find a cat, they may say, “にゃんにゃんがいる (nyan nyan ga iru = there is a cat)” instead of “猫がいる (neko ga iru).” However, “nyan nyan” is also slang for sex. If someone says, “にゃんにゃんしよう (nyan nyan shiyō = let’s do nyan nyan),” they may want to go to bed with you.

Common Expressions Related to Cats in Japanese

A black and white cat with green eyes with Japanese toori gates in the background.

No one knows when cats first came to Japan. It might have been 1,200 years ago when people were bringing books from China to Japan on boats. Some believe that cats have been introduced to Japan to protect important texts from mice. The bond that formed between Japanese people and cats generated many expressions and proverbs.

 1. 猫舌 (Neko Jita): Sensitive to Hot Foods/Drinks

猫舌 
(neko jita)
Cat’s tongue = Can’t eat hot food or drink

Since cats cannot eat food if it’s too warm or too hot, people who cannot eat hot food or drink are called 猫舌 (neko jita).

Example:

どうしてコーヒー飲まないの? 
(Dōshite kōhī nomanai no?)
Why don’t you drink coffee?

猫舌だから、冷めるの待ってるの。
(Neko jita dakara, sameru no matteru no.)
I cannot handle hot, so I’m waiting for it to get cooler.

 2. 猫の手も借りたい (Neko No Te Mo Karitai): So Busy You Want to Borrow a Cat’s Paws

猫の手も借りたい 
(neko no te mo karitai)
To need more hands (to help), even if they are a cat’s.

Use this when you are extremely busy. This expression is commonly used in daily conversations in Japan.

Example:

今日は猫の手も借りたい忙しさだよ。
(Kyō wa neko no te mo karitai isogashisa da yo.)
I’m so busy today I wish I had more hands (or cat’s paws)

 3. 猫の額 (Neko No Hitai): A Small Area (Size)

猫の額 
(neko no hitai)
Cat’s forehead = An area small in size

This expression is used to describe a tiny area.  

Example:

猫の額ほどの庭。
(neko no hitai hodo no niwa.)
This garden is very small.

 4. 猫に小判 (Neko Ni Koban): Worthless, Meaningless

猫に小判 
(neko ni koban)
Money for cats = Cat’s don’t know the value of money, so it is worthless to them.

小判 (koban) is an old Japanese expression for money, particularly coins. If you give money to cats, they won’t understand the value of it. 猫に小判 (neko ni koban) describes something meaningless.

Example:  

2歳の子供に高級ブランドなんて猫に小判だよ。
(Ni sai no kodomo ni kōkyū burando nante neko ni koban da yo.)
High-end brands for a two-year-old are meaningless.

5. 猫に鰹節 (Neko Ni Katsuobushi): Something You Can’t Resist

猫に鰹節 
(neko ni katsuobushi)
Fish bonito for cats – Something Irresistible

If you leave fish bonito with a cat, the cat will surely eat their favorite food. This expression describes a temptation you can’t resist.  

Example:

財布置いてトイレに行って盗まれたなんて、泥棒にとって猫に鰹節だよ。
(Saifu oite toire ni itte nusumareta nante, dorobō ni totte neko ni katsuobushi da yo.)  
Your wallet was stolen because you left it (here) and went to the bathroom. That’s just like asking a thief to take it.  

Popular Cat Breeds in Japanese

Some Japanese cat owners care a lot about pure breeds. Here are some popular cat breeds in Japan:

  • アメリカンショートヘア (amerikan shōtohea): American Short Hair
  • スコティッシュフォールド (sukotishu fōrudo): Scottish Fold
  • マンチカン (manchikan): Munchkin
  • ノルウェージャンフォレスト (noruuējan foresuto): Norwegian Forest
  •  ミックス (mikkusu): Mixed breed cats

ミックス (mikkusu) was once called 雑種 (zasshu), which referred to any crossbred cats (that were not bred on purpose). Since the kanji 雑 (zatsu) means rough or carelessness, animal lovers changed 雑種 (zasshu) to ミックス (mikkusu) which includes the following types of cats: 

  • ミケ猫 (mike neko): Calico cat​s
  • ハチワレ猫 (hachiware neko): Black and white “tuxedo” cats with a white strip of fur running down the middle of its face.
    • These cats usually have white fur on its belly and black fur on its back and face, with a strip of white fur extending from its nose up to its forehead. ハチ (hachi) refers to the number 8, the kanji character for which is 八. ワレ (ware) comes from the verb 割れる (wareru), meaning to divide or split. The strip of white fur on these cats faces is splitting (割れる) the black fur and making it look like the kanji character 八 (hachi). Thus the reason for their name, ハチワレ猫 (hachiware neko).
  • トラ猫 (tora neko): Tabby cats

Common Cat Names in Japan

A man with only his lower half in frame is seen feeding a lot of cats, which are all around him.

As each generation changes, so do the names that people choose for their cats. In the past, popular choices included names like たま (tama), とら (tora), and ミー (mī). 

Those names are still used today but are not as popular as they once were. Today, many cat owners name their cats based on eye or body color, favorite foods, or anime characters. Here are some popular Japanese cat names:

  • ソラ (sora) = sky (a cat’s blue eye color looks like the sky)
  • モモ (momo) = peach/pink (the pink color of cat’s nose and hands)
  • クロ (kuro) = black
  • シロ (shiro) = white
  • ミケ (mike) = three colors
  • キナコ (kinako) = ground soy powder
  • マロン (maron) = chestnut
  • ジジ (jiji) = the black cat in the movie, “Kiki’s Delivery Service”

Japanese Beliefs about Cats

A lot of different sizes of Maneki Neko, or good luck cat statues in Japan.

Many Japanese believe cats bring happiness. The most famous cat which brought happiness to Japanese people may be 招き猫 (maneki neko). 招く (maneku) means “to invite.” When you go to a restaurant or store in Japan, you may see one of these maneki neko statues. These cute cat statues/dolls can easily be recognized by their pose. One of the cat’s paws usually holds something, with the other paw raised in the air.  

If the cat is raising its right hand, this usually means that the cat is inviting money. If its left hand is raised, the cat is inviting happiness. The origin of 招き猫 (maneki neko) is from two possible places, Gotokuji or Imato Shrine. If you are a cat lover traveling in Japan, it may be fun to visit these places.

In modern times, a famous story about cats bringing success can be found on this post: くるねこ大和 (kuruneko yamato – Japanese only). The author is a designer who had some cats. She posted her blog about her cats, and the blog became very popular. She published many books, and her cat blog became a TV anime show. She has since built a big house for her cats. Even after fame, she still takes care of many cats. Some of her fans think that her rescuing of cats brought good things back to her. This situation is called 猫の恩返し (neko no ongaeshi), or cats repaying her for her kindness.  

Cats in Japan Today

Throughout history, cats have lived with humans to catch mice. In Japan, cats were not considered as important family members in the past. People fed cats left-over rice with miso soup called 猫まんま (neko manma). 

Today, some cats are treated like royalty. Many Japanese people think of themselves as their cat’s servant, called 下僕 (geboku). People jump up and do whatever the cat asks, even though the cat doesn’t show much appreciation. 

Of course, cats will occasionally show love in their own way. There are two personalities of cats that can melt the heart of any cat lover: ツンデレ (tsundere). Displaying cold, standoffish behavior is called ツンツン (tsun tsun), while expressing loving behavior is called デレデレ (dere dere). Therefore, ツンデレ (tsundere) means being cold at times but then all of sudden change into being loving and affectionate.  

Japanese cat lovers feel this personality is the beauty of cats. If you love cats and meet a Japanese cat lover, you can talk about how much of a 下僕 (geboku) are you to your cat. You may end up talking to each other forever!

Photo of author

Orie Adams

A native of Japan, Orie began her career working for the Japanese TV industry as a director and video editor. She always dreamt about living in the paradise of Hawaii. Her dream came true in 2006 when she relocated to Hawaii, where she eventually worked as a Japanese free magazine writer and learned about public relations connecting Hawaii with Japanese media. She performs translations for various clients in Hawaii as well. Orie loves cats, watching movies, and taking photos.

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