Spoken Description

Descubre vocabulario en español para hablar de gatos: nombres de objetos, colores, acciones, frases útiles y expresiones para describir razas, cuidado diario y amabilidad felina.

-:- / -:-

Discover Spanish vocabulary to talk about cats: names of objects, colors, actions, useful phrases, and expressions to describe breeds, daily care, and feline kindness.

Cats have many delightful behaviors and parts, and Spanish gives you charming words for each one. This guide collects useful terms for talking about your feline friend in everyday situations.

Cat Vocabulary

Key words for cats and their features help you describe exactly what you see. Learn names for fur patterns, body parts, and typical expressions so you can notice small details.

EnglishSpanish
CatGato / Gata
KittenGatito / Gatita
FurPelaje
WhiskersBigotes
TailCola
ClawsGarras
PawsPatas
EarOreja
MuzzleHocico
Fur patternPatrón de pelaje
StripesRayas
SpotsManchas
CollarCollar
Meow (sound)Miau
Purr (sound)Ronroneo
Hiss (sound)Siseo
Litter boxCaja de arena

Palabras clave para gatos y sus características que te ayudan a describir exactamente lo que ves. Aprenderás nombres de patrones de pelaje, partes del cuerpo y expresiones típicas, para que puedas notar pequeños detalles.

Los(whiskers) son sensibles al tacto.

The whiskers are sensitive to touch.

whiskers

1 of 5

Cat Actions

Verbs for common cat behaviors let you tell stories about what your cat does from playing to grooming. Spanish often uses simple infinitives and expressive onomatopoeias.

EnglishSpanish
To meowMaullar
To purrRonronear
To hissSisear
To scratchArañar
To paw / to tapPatear / Dar golpecitos
To lickLamer
To groomAcicalarse
To leap / to jumpSaltar
To climbTrepar
To napDormitar
To playJugar
To hideEsconderse
To chasePerseguir
To rub againstFrotarse contra

Los verbos para comportamientos comunes de los gatos te permiten contar historias sobre lo que hace tu gato, desde jugar hasta acicalarse. El español suele usar infinitivos simples y onomatopeyas expresivas.

El gato se(to groom) después de comer.

The cat grooms itself after eating.

to groom (oneself)

1 of 5

Cat Sounds

Sounds cats make have distinctive Spanish names that capture each noise. Learning these helps you report when a cat is content, scared, or demanding attention.

SoundSpanish
MeowMiau
PurrRonroneo
HissSiseo
GrowlGruñido
SqueakChillido
Chirp / ChatterTrino
Yowl / HowlAullido
MewMaullido
PatterGolpecitos
SnarlBufido

Los sonidos que los gatos hacen tienen nombres españoles característicos quecapturan cada ruido. Aprender estos ayuda a reportar cuándo un gato está contento, asustado o demandando atención.

El gato hizo un(meow) cuando llegó a la puerta.

The cat made a meow when he arrived at the door.

meow (sound)

1 of 5

Cat Play

Spanish has lively words for toys and play behaviors that show a cat’s energy and mood. Use these terms to describe games, favorite objects, and playful attacks.

EnglishSpanish
ToyJuguete
BallPelota
String / YarnHilo / Lana
FeatherPluma
Mouse (toy)Ratón (de juguete)
Laser pointerApuntador láser
To chasePerseguir
To pounceAbalanzarse
To bat / to swipeDar manotazos
To stalkAcechar

El español tiene palabras vivaces para juguetes y comportamientos de juego que muestran la energía y el estado de ánimo de un gato. Usa estos términos para describir juegos, objetos favoritos y ataques juguetones.

El gato persigue un(string) en el suelo.

The cat chases a string on the floor.

string / yarn

1 of 5

Cat Grooming

Words for grooming describe how cats keep clean and how people help them. Spanish distinguishes between self-grooming actions and external care like brushing.

EnglishSpanish
To groom (oneself)Acicalarse
To brushCepillar
To lickLamer
To scratch (an itch)Rascarse
FurPelaje
SheddingMudanza de pelo
BathBaño
Nail trimmingCorte de uñas
Litter boxCaja de arena

Las palabras relacionadas con el acicalamiento describen cómo los gatos se mantienen limpios y cómo las personas los ayudan. El español distingue entre acciones de autoacicalamiento y cuidados externos como el peine.

Después de comer, el gato se(to groom).

After eating, the cat grooms itself.

to groom (oneself)

1 of 5

Cat Parts

Knowing specific terms for body parts helps with descriptions, vet visits, and grooming talk. Spanish names are straightforward and often match English roots.

EnglishSpanish
HeadCabeza
EarOreja
EyeOjo
NoseNariz
MouthBoca
WhiskersBigotes
NeckCuello
BackEspalda
TailCola
Leg / PawPata
ClawGarra
FurPelaje
BellyVientre
ShoulderHombro

Conocer términos específicos para las partes del cuerpo ayuda en descripciones, visitas al veterinario y conversaciones sobre cuidado. Los nombres en español son directos y frecuentemente coinciden con raíces en inglés.

El gato olfateó con la(nose) en el aire.

The cat sniffed with its nose in the air.

nose

1 of 5

Cat Expressions

Cats use body language that Spanish terms capture well. Learn words for postures and moods so you can interpret whether a cat is relaxed, alert, playful, or scared.

ExpressionSpanish
To arch (back)Arquear (la espalda)
To puff up (fur)Erizar (el pelaje)
To twitch (tail)Mover / Sacudir la cola
To kneadAmasar
To rub (against)Frotarse contra
To crouchAgacharse
To stretchEstirarse
AlertAlerta
RelaxedRelajado/a
PlayfulJuguetón / Juguetona
ScaredAsustado/a
FriendlyAmistoso/a

Los gatos usan el lenguaje corporal que los términos en español capturan bien. Aprende palabras para posturas y estados de ánimo, para que puedas interpretar si un gato está relajado, atento, juguetón o asustado.

El gato(to arch) la espalda cuando se siente amenazado.

The cat arches its back when it feels threatened.

to arch (the back)

1 of 5

Useful Phrases

Simple phrases make it easy to talk about cats in everyday situations like visits, care, and describing behavior. Spanish expressions often use natural verbs and small vocabulary turns.

EnglishSpanish
Where is the cat?¿Dónde está el gato?
My cat is sleepingMi gato está durmiendo
The kitten is very playfulEl gatito es muy juguetón
She likes to be pettedLe gusta que la acaricien
He is scratching the couchEstá arañando el sofá
Do you have cat food?¿Tienes comida para gatos?
The cat plays with stringEl gato juega con un hilo
She meowed at meElla me maulló
I need to clean the litter boxTengo que limpiar la caja de arena
He purrs when he's happyÉl ronronea cuando está feliz
The cat hid under the bedEl gato se escondió debajo de la cama

This vocabulary turn transforms you into a cat-savvy speaker who notices small details and can share fun everyday moments with your feline friend. Practice aloud and try labeling cats you meet to fix the terms in memory.

Frases sencillas facilitan hablar de gatos en situaciones cotidianas, como visitas, cuidado y descripción de comportamientos. Las expresiones en español suelen usar verbos naturales y vocabulario simple.

Este vocabulario te convierte en un hablante experto en gatos que nota los pequeños detalles y comparte momentos divertidos con tu amigo felino. Practica en voz alta y trata de identificar gatos que encuentres para reforzar los términos en tu memoria.

¿(where) está el gato?

Where is the cat?

Where is the cat?

1 of 5

Suggested Reading

Practice Makes Perfect: Basic Spanish

Practice Makes Perfect: Basic Spanish by Dorothy Richmond

No Nonsense Spanish Workbook

No Nonsense Spanish Workbook by Eric W. Vogt & My Daily Spanish

The Everything Learning Spanish Book

The Everything Learning Spanish Book by Julie Gutin

Collins Easy Learning: Spanish Conversation

Collins Easy Learning: Spanish Conversation by Collins Dictionaries

Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Conversation

Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Conversation by Jean Yates

Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish

Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish by Margarita Madrigal

Spanish All-In-One For Dummies

Spanish All-In-One For Dummies by Susana Wald & Cecie Kraynak

Easy Spanish Step-By-Step

Easy Spanish Step-By-Step by Barbara Bregstein

Barron’s 501 Spanish Verbs

Barron’s 501 Spanish Verbs by Christopher Kendris and Theodore Kendris

Complete Spanish Step-By-Step

Complete Spanish Step-By-Step by Barbara Bregstein

Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Spanish Grammar

Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Spanish Grammar by Gilda Nissenberg

All content was written by our AI and may contain a few mistakes. We may earn commissions on some links. Last updated: Wed Dec 3, 2025, 6:35 PM