🇨🇳 Chinese phrases

How to Say "Cat" in Chinese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
"Cat" in Chinese · say it like mao

The most natural way to say "Cat" in Chinese is . Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

小猫
used to refer to a kitten or a small cat
猫咪
a more affectionate term for a cat

When to use it

You can use '猫' when talking about cats in general. It is appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. If you want to refer to a kitten, use '小猫'. For a more affectionate tone, you can say '猫咪'.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "Cat" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Chinese

ChineseEnglish
我家有一只猫。I have a cat at home.
这只猫很可爱。This cat is very cute.
Common mistake
Some learners might confuse '猫' with '狗' (dog), so be careful to use the correct term.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 猫, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Chinese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between '猫' and '猫咪'?

'猫' is the standard term for cat, while '猫咪' is a more affectionate way to refer to a cat.

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