Japanese word

子猫

Pronunciation

Romajikoneko

Meaning

  • nounkitten

Example

妹は子猫を抱いています。imōto wa ko neko o ida i te i ma su

My little sister is holding a kitten.

Illustration for 子猫 (kitten)

More examples

子猫が箱の中から顔を出しています。ko neko ga bako no naka ka ra kao o da shi te i ma su

The kitten is poking its head out of the box.

Core concept

Describes a cat that is still in the early, growing stage of life.

Common phrases

  • 子猫を飼うko neko o ka u

    keep a kitten

  • 子猫を抱くko neko o ida ku

    hold a kitten

  • 子猫の世話ko neko no se wa

    care for a kitten

Definition in Japanese

まだ成長していない猫。ma da sei chō shi te i na i neko

Word origin

Combines 子 (ko, "young one") and 猫 (neko, "cat"), forming a compound that means a young cat.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 子猫 (koneko) can describe a young cat of either sex, just as kitten does in English.

Word lists with this word