Korean word

고양이

Pronunciation

Romanizationkoyangi

Meaning

  • nouncat

Example

저는 고양이를 좋아해요.cheo neun ko yang i reul cho a hae yo

I like cats.

Illustration for 고양이 (cat)

More examples

어제 길에서 새끼 고양이를 봤어요.eo je ki re seo sae kki ko yang i reul pwa sseo yo

Yesterday I saw a kitten on the street.

Core concept

A small, furry, four-legged mammal that lives with people or appears outdoors.

Common phrases

  • 고양이를 키우다ko yang i reul ki u da

    keep a cat

  • 새끼 고양이sae kki ko yang i

    kitten

  • 고양이 사진ko yang i sa jin

    cat photo

Similar words

냥이nyangi: An affectionate, cute name used for a cat.
새끼고양이saekkigoyangi: A very young cat that is still small.
길고양이kilgoyangi: A cat that often lives outdoors without a regular home.

Definition in Korean

집에서 사람과 함께 기르거나 길에서 볼 수 있는, 털이 있고 네 발로 걷는 작은 포유류.chi be seo sa ram gwa ham kke ki reu geo na ki re seo pol ssu in neun teo ri it kko ne pal lo keon neun cha geun po yu ryu

Word origin

This is a native Korean word for a cat, but its deeper historical formation is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • A useful pattern is to place a possessive word before 고양이 (goyangi, "cat") when describing a pet that feels like part of the family.

Related words

  • 길고양이kilgoyangistray catnoun
  • 집고양이chipkkoyangihouse catnoun
  • 고양이털koyangiteolcat furnoun

Word lists with this word