German · Nature, Animals & Weather
"Cat" in German: Katze
die Katze
Cat in German is die Katze, feminine for the species and for a female cat. A male cat is der Kater. The verb for meowing is miauen.
Meeting a pet
Darf ich deine Katze streicheln?Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce Katze
Say it
KAHT-suh
/ˈkatsə/
KAHT-suh. Short a. Tz like "ts". Final e is uh. Stress the first syllable.
"Cat" in German: quick reference
| German | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| die Katze | cat General word and female cat. | General word and female cat. |
| der Kater | tomcat; also hangover Male cat; also means hangover. | Male cat; also means hangover. |
| das Kätzchen | kitten Diminutive form. | Diminutive form. |
| miauen | to meow Cat sound verb. | Cat sound verb. |
How to use Katze in real life
- 1Meeting a pet
Darf ich deine Katze streicheln?
May I stroke your cat?
Streicheln = to pet/stroke.
- 2At home
Die Katze schläft auf dem Sofa.
The cat is sleeping on the sofa.
Very typical scene.
- 3Asking ownership
Ist das deine Katze oder ein Streuner?
Is that your cat or a stray?
Streuner = stray.
Mistakes English speakers make with Katze
Incorrect: der Katze (for a generic cat)
Correct: die Katze
The species word is feminine die Katze. Male cats are Kater.
Incorrect: Ich habe einen Katze.
Correct: Ich habe eine Katze.
Feminine accusative: eine Katze.
Good to know
Kater means tomcat and also hangover, which creates endless jokes after parties. Cat cafés and balcony cats are common city sights, and many buildings post notes about missing Katzen.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Visiting a friend who has pets
ChatPal
Magst du meine Katze kennenlernen?
Want to meet my cat?
You
Sehr! Wie heißt die Katze?
Very much! What's the cat's name?
ChatPal
Minka. Die Katze ist scheu am Anfang.
Minka. The cat is shy at first.
You
Kein Problem. Ich warte, bis die Katze kommt.
No problem. I'll wait until the cat comes.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Cat" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Cat" in German
What is the difference between Katze and Kater?
Katze is the general or female cat. Kater is a male cat.
Why does Kater also mean hangover?
It is a second meaning of the same word. Context decides: after a party vs. a pet.
How do you say kitten?
Das Kätzchen or das Kitten in casual talk.
Is Katze feminine?
Yes: die Katze. Accusative eine Katze.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
