Cats are beloved companions worldwide, and Korea is no exception. Whether you’re a cat owner, visiting a cat cafe, or simply encountering feline friends on the street, knowing how to talk about cats in Korean is essential. This guide covers the fundamental word for “cat” and provides various expressions for describing them, discussing their habits, and sharing your love for these charming animals.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 고양이
Pronunciation: go-yang-i
Meaning: Cat
Basic Cat-Related Words
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Expression: 새끼 고양이
Pronunciation: saek-kki go-yang-i
Meaning: Kitten -
Expression: 길고양이
Pronunciation: gil-go-yang-i
Meaning: Stray cat (literally “street cat”) -
Expression: 집고양이
Pronunciation: jip-go-yang-i
Meaning: House cat -
Expression: 고양이 사료
Pronunciation: go-yang-i sa-ryo
Meaning: Cat food -
Expression: 고양이 장난감
Pronunciation: go-yang-i jang-nan-gam
Meaning: Cat toy -
Expression: 고양이 소리
Pronunciation: go-yang-i so-ri
Meaning: Cat sound (general term) -
Expression: 야옹
Pronunciation: ya-ong
Meaning: Meow (onomatopoeia) -
Expression: 고양이 집사
Pronunciation: go-yang-i jip-sa
Meaning: Cat butler (a common affectionate term for a cat owner) -
Expression: 발톱
Pronunciation: bal-top
Meaning: Claw(s) -
Expression: 꼬리
Pronunciation: kko-ri
Meaning: Tail -
Expression: 수염
Pronunciation: su-yeom
Meaning: Whisker(s) -
Expression: 고양이 모래
Pronunciation: go-yang-i mo-rae
Meaning: Cat litter (literally “cat sand”)
Describing Cats
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Expression: 귀여운 고양이
Pronunciation: gwi-yeo-un go-yang-i
Meaning: Cute cat -
Expression: 게으른 고양이
Pronunciation: ge-eu-reun go-yang-i
Meaning: Lazy cat -
Expression: 장난꾸러기 고양이
Pronunciation: jang-nan-kku-reo-gi go-yang-i
Meaning: Playful/Mischievous cat -
Expression: 검은 고양이
Pronunciation: geom-eun go-yang-i
Meaning: Black cat -
Expression: 하얀 고양이
Pronunciation: ha-yan go-yang-i
Meaning: White cat -
Expression: 고양이가 자고 있어요.
Pronunciation: go-yang-i-ga ja-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The cat is sleeping. -
Expression: 고양이가 밥을 먹어요.
Pronunciation: go-yang-i-ga bap-eul meo-geo-yo.
Meaning: The cat is eating (food/a meal). -
Expression: 고양이가 놀고 있어요.
Pronunciation: go-yang-i-ga nol-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The cat is playing. -
Expression: 고양이를 쓰다듬다
Pronunciation: go-yang-i-reul sseu-da-deum-da
Meaning: To pet a cat -
Expression: 고양이가 할퀴었어요.
Pronunciation: go-yang-i-ga hal-kwi-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The cat scratched (me/someone). -
Expression: 고양이가 가르랑거려요.
Pronunciation: go-yang-i-ga ga-reu-rang-geo-ryeo-yo.
Meaning: The cat is purring. -
Expression: 애교 많은 고양이
Pronunciation: ae-gyo ma-neun go-yang-i
Meaning: Affectionate cat (a cat with lots of ‘aegyo’ – cute charm)
Talking About Your Cat
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Expression: 저는 고양이를 키워요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun go-yang-i-reul ki-wo-yo.
Meaning: I raise a cat. / I have a cat. -
Expression: 우리 집 고양이는 이름이 나비예요.
Pronunciation: u-ri jip go-yang-i-neun i-reum-i na-bi-ye-yo.
Meaning: My cat’s name is Nabi. (Nabi is a common cat name in Korea) -
Expression: 고양이를 정말 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: go-yang-i-reul jeong-mal jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I really like cats. -
Expression: 저는 고양이 알레르기가 있어요.
Pronunciation: jeo-neun go-yang-i al-le-reu-gi-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I have a cat allergy. -
Expression: 고양이 카페에 가고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: go-yang-i ka-pe-e ga-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to go to a cat cafe. -
Expression: 이 고양이 만져봐도 돼요?
Pronunciation: i go-yang-i man-jyeo-bwa-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: May I pet this cat? -
Expression: 고양이가 제 무릎 위에 앉았어요.
Pronunciation: go-yang-i-ga je mu-reup wi-e an-ja-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The cat sat on my lap. -
Expression: 고양이가 창밖을 보고 있어요.
Pronunciation: go-yang-i-ga chang-bak-keul bo-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The cat is looking out the window. -
Expression: 고양이를 입양했어요.
Pronunciation: go-yang-i-reul ip-yang-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I adopted a cat. -
Expression: 고양이가 너무 사랑스러워요.
Pronunciation: go-yang-i-ga neo-mu sa-rang-seu-reo-wo-yo.
Meaning: The cat is so lovely/adorable. -
Expression: 우리 고양이는 세 살이에요.
Pronunciation: u-ri go-yang-i-neun se sal-i-e-yo.
Meaning: Our cat is three years old. -
Expression: 고양이랑 노는 것을 좋아해요.
Pronunciation: go-yang-i-rang no-neun geo-seul jo-a-hae-yo.
Meaning: I like playing with the cat.
Korean Culture Notes
Understanding cats in Korea involves more than just language. Pet ownership, particularly of cats, has significantly increased in recent years, especially among younger generations living in apartments. While dogs were traditionally more common, cats are now equally popular companions.
You’ll often hear the term 길고양이 (gil-go-yang-i), meaning stray or street cat. There’s a growing awareness and community effort in many neighborhoods to care for these cats through feeding stations and TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) programs.
Cat cafes (고양이 카페, go-yang-i ka-pe) are very popular in Korea. They offer a chance for people, especially those who cannot own pets, to interact with cats in a relaxed environment. It’s a unique cultural experience worth visiting if you like cats.
The term 집사 (jip-sa), meaning “butler,” is affectionately used by cat owners to describe themselves. It humorously reflects the perception that cats are the masters of the house, and owners are there to serve their needs, highlighting the deep affection owners have for their feline companions.
While modern Korea embraces cats, historically, some superstitions existed, similar to Western cultures (e.g., black cats). However, these views have largely faded, replaced by widespread adoration for cats’ charm and companionship.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), are walking in a park and spot a cat.
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Expression: A: 어, 저기 고양이 좀 봐! 너무 귀엽다.
Pronunciation: eo, jeo-gi go-yang-i jom bwa! neo-mu gwi-yeop-da.
Meaning: Oh, look at that cat over there! It’s so cute. -
Expression: B: 와, 진짜네. 하얀 고양이다. 소라 씨는 고양이 좋아해요?
Pronunciation: wa, jin-jja-ne. ha-yan go-yang-i-da. so-ra ssi-neun go-yang-i jo-a-hae-yo?
Meaning: Wow, you’re right. It’s a white cat. Sora, do you like cats? -
Expression: A: 네, 정말 좋아해요! 저도 집에서 고양이 한 마리 키워요.
Pronunciation: ne, jeong-mal jo-a-hae-yo! jeo-do jib-e-seo go-yang-i han ma-ri ki-wo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, I really like them! I also have one cat at home. -
Expression: B: 정말요? 이름이 뭐예요? 몇 살이에요?
Pronunciation: jeong-mal-lyo? i-reum-i mwo-ye-yo? myeot sal-i-e-yo?
Meaning: Really? What’s its name? How old is it? -
Expression: A: 이름은 ‘코코’고, 이제 두 살 됐어요. 완전 장난꾸러기예요.
Pronunciation: i-reum-eun ‘ko-ko’-go, i-je du sal dwae-sseo-yo. wan-jeon jang-nan-kku-reo-gi-ye-yo.
Meaning: Its name is ‘Coco’, and it just turned two. It’s a total mischief-maker. -
Expression: B: 하하, 고양이들은 그렇죠. 나중에 사진 보여주세요!
Pronunciation: ha-ha, go-yang-i-deul-eun geu-reot-jyo. na-jung-e sa-jin bo-yeo-ju-se-yo!
Meaning: Haha, cats are like that. Show me a picture later!
Practice Tips
Now you have a great set of words and phrases to talk about cats in Korean! Try using 고양이 (go-yang-i) next time you see a cat on the street or in a video~ Point it out and say “귀여운 고양이다!” (gwi-yeo-un go-yang-i-da! – It’s a cute cat!).
If you get the chance, visit a 고양이 카페 (go-yang-i ka-pe) in Korea and practice asking “만져봐도 돼요?” (man-jyeo-bwa-do dwae-yo? – May I pet it?). Talking about pets is a great way to connect with Korean friends, so don’t hesitate to share about your own furry friends (or your love for them!) using these expressions. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be chatting about cats like a pro! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
