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.
| English | Spanish | |
|---|---|---|
| Cat | Gato / Gata | |
| Kitten | Gatito / Gatita | |
| Fur | Pelaje | |
| Whiskers | Bigotes | |
| Tail | Cola | |
| Claws | Garras | |
| Paws | Patas | |
| Ear | Oreja | |
| Muzzle | Hocico | |
| Fur pattern | Patrón de pelaje | |
| Stripes | Rayas | |
| Spots | Manchas | |
| Collar | Collar | |
| Meow (sound) | Miau | |
| Purr (sound) | Ronroneo | |
| Hiss (sound) | Siseo | |
| Litter box | Caja 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.
The whiskers are sensitive to touch.
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.
| English | Spanish | |
|---|---|---|
| To meow | Maullar | |
| To purr | Ronronear | |
| To hiss | Sisear | |
| To scratch | Arañar | |
| To paw / to tap | Patear / Dar golpecitos | |
| To lick | Lamer | |
| To groom | Acicalarse | |
| To leap / to jump | Saltar | |
| To climb | Trepar | |
| To nap | Dormitar | |
| To play | Jugar | |
| To hide | Esconderse | |
| To chase | Perseguir | |
| To rub against | Frotarse 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.
The cat grooms itself after eating.
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.
| Sound | Spanish | |
|---|---|---|
| Meow | Miau | |
| Purr | Ronroneo | |
| Hiss | Siseo | |
| Growl | Gruñido | |
| Squeak | Chillido | |
| Chirp / Chatter | Trino | |
| Yowl / Howl | Aullido | |
| Mew | Maullido | |
| Patter | Golpecitos | |
| Snarl | Bufido |
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.
The cat made a meow when he arrived at the door.
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.
| English | Spanish | |
|---|---|---|
| Toy | Juguete | |
| Ball | Pelota | |
| String / Yarn | Hilo / Lana | |
| Feather | Pluma | |
| Mouse (toy) | Ratón (de juguete) | |
| Laser pointer | Apuntador láser | |
| To chase | Perseguir | |
| To pounce | Abalanzarse | |
| To bat / to swipe | Dar manotazos | |
| To stalk | Acechar |
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.
The cat chases a string on the floor.
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.
| English | Spanish | |
|---|---|---|
| To groom (oneself) | Acicalarse | |
| To brush | Cepillar | |
| To lick | Lamer | |
| To scratch (an itch) | Rascarse | |
| Fur | Pelaje | |
| Shedding | Mudanza de pelo | |
| Bath | Baño | |
| Nail trimming | Corte de uñas | |
| Litter box | Caja 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.
After eating, the cat grooms itself.
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.
| English | Spanish | |
|---|---|---|
| Head | Cabeza | |
| Ear | Oreja | |
| Eye | Ojo | |
| Nose | Nariz | |
| Mouth | Boca | |
| Whiskers | Bigotes | |
| Neck | Cuello | |
| Back | Espalda | |
| Tail | Cola | |
| Leg / Paw | Pata | |
| Claw | Garra | |
| Fur | Pelaje | |
| Belly | Vientre | |
| Shoulder | Hombro |
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.
The cat sniffed with its nose in the air.
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.
| Expression | Spanish | |
|---|---|---|
| To arch (back) | Arquear (la espalda) | |
| To puff up (fur) | Erizar (el pelaje) | |
| To twitch (tail) | Mover / Sacudir la cola | |
| To knead | Amasar | |
| To rub (against) | Frotarse contra | |
| To crouch | Agacharse | |
| To stretch | Estirarse | |
| Alert | Alerta | |
| Relaxed | Relajado/a | |
| Playful | Juguetón / Juguetona | |
| Scared | Asustado/a | |
| Friendly | Amistoso/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.
The cat arches its back when it feels threatened.
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.
| English | Spanish | |
|---|---|---|
| Where is the cat? | ¿Dónde está el gato? | |
| My cat is sleeping | Mi gato está durmiendo | |
| The kitten is very playful | El gatito es muy juguetón | |
| She likes to be petted | Le gusta que la acaricien | |
| He is scratching the couch | Está arañando el sofá | |
| Do you have cat food? | ¿Tienes comida para gatos? | |
| The cat plays with string | El gato juega con un hilo | |
| She meowed at me | Ella me maulló | |
| I need to clean the litter box | Tengo que limpiar la caja de arena | |
| He purrs when he's happy | Él ronronea cuando está feliz | |
| The cat hid under the bed | El 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 is the cat?
Suggested Reading

Practice Makes Perfect: Basic Spanish by Dorothy Richmond

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

The Everything Learning Spanish Book by Julie Gutin

Collins Easy Learning: Spanish Conversation by Collins Dictionaries

Practice Makes Perfect: Spanish Conversation by Jean Yates

Madrigal's Magic Key to Spanish by Margarita Madrigal

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

Easy Spanish Step-By-Step by Barbara Bregstein

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

Complete Spanish Step-By-Step by Barbara Bregstein

Practice Makes Perfect: Complete Spanish Grammar by Gilda Nissenberg
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