Cat in French: Essential Vocabulary and Expressions
Updated: 21 September 2026
Cat in French is un chat, while a kitten is un chaton. But French cat vocabulary goes far beyond these two words. In this guide, you’ll find the pronunciation, essential terms and natural expressions French speakers use when talking about their feline friends.
Would you like to practise this vocabulary in a real conversation? My online French conversation classes will help you speak more naturally and confidently with a native French teacher.
1. Basic French vocabulary related to cats
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1.1 How to call your beloved pet
Firstly, knowing the right word for each type of cat will help you speak more naturally and avoid common mistakes. You can also explore these everyday French phrases to sound more like a native speaker:
| French | English | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Un chat | A cat / a male cat | Also used when the cat’s sex is unknown or unimportant |
| Une chatte | A female cat | Correct, but use with care because it also has a vulgar meaning |
| Un chat domestique | A domestic cat | A cat that lives with humans |
| Un chat de compagnie | A pet cat | A cat kept as a pet |
| Un chat errant | A stray cat | A cat living without a permanent home |
| Un chat sauvage | A wild or feral cat | A cat that lives in the wild or avoids humans |
| Un chaton | A kitten | Used for both male and female kittens |
| Un matou | A tomcat / a large male cat | Familiar term for an adult male cat |
| Un minou | A kitty | Affectionate and informal |
| Une minette | A female kitty | Affectionate and informal |
1.2 Essential cat items
Next, when taking care of your feline, you may need these common items :
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Un arbre à chat | A cat tree |
| Un bac à litière | A litter box |
| La litière | Cat litter |
| Un collier pour chat | A cat collar |
| Des croquettes | Dry cat food / cat biscuits |
| Une caisse de transport | A cat carrier |
| Un griffoir | A scratching post / scratching pad |
| Un jouet pour chat | A cat toy |
| De la nourriture pour chat | Cat food |
| Un panier pour chat | A cat bed / cat basket |
1.3 How to describe your furry friend
Finally, these terms are useful to outline cat specifics :
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Les griffes | Claws |
| Les moustaches | Whiskers |
| Le museau | The muzzle / snout |
| Les pattes | Paws / legs |
| Les coussinets | Paw pads |
| Le pelage | Fur / coat |
| Les poils de chat | Cat hair |
| La queue | The tail |
2. Verbs to talk about your favorite pet
Now that you know the essential cat vocabulary, here are some useful French verbs to describe what your cat does every day.
2.1 What a Cat Does
These verbs describe your cat’s typical actions and behaviour.
| French verb | English |
|---|---|
| Chasser | To hunt |
| S’étirer | To stretch |
| Feuler | To hiss |
| Se frotter contre quelqu’un | To rub against someone |
| Se frotter contre les jambes de quelqu’un | To rub against someone’s legs |
| Griffer | To scratch |
| Grogner | To growl |
| Mettre bas | To give birth |
| Miauler | To meow |
| Ronronner | To purr |
| Sauter | To jump |
2.2 What You Do With Your Cat
You can also use the following verbs to talk about how you care for and spend time with your cat.
| French expression | English |
|---|---|
| Adopter un chat | To adopt a cat |
| Câliner son chat | To cuddle your cat |
| Caresser son chat | To pet / stroke your cat |
| Castrer un chat | To neuter a male cat |
| Emmener son chat chez le vétérinaire | To take your cat to the vet |
| Jouer avec son chat | To play with your cat |
| Nettoyer le bac à litière | To clean the litter box |
| Nourrir son chat | To feed your cat |
| Faire pucer son chat | To have your cat microchipped |
| Stériliser une chatte | To spay a female cat |
3. French idioms with cats
Finally, cats also appear in many colourful French idioms. If you enjoy these expressions, you may also like these French colour idioms and popular French food idioms.
3.1 Common Expressions Featuring the Word 'Cat'
| French idiom | Literal translation | Meaning or English equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Appeler un chat un chat | To call a cat a cat | To call a spade a spade / to say things as they are |
| Donner sa langue au chat | To give your tongue to the cat | To give up guessing |
| Il n’y a pas un chat | There is not a cat around | There is nobody around / there is not a soul |
| Avoir un chat dans la gorge | To have a cat in your throat | To have a frog in your throat |
| Avoir d’autres chats à fouetter | To have other cats to deal with | To have bigger fish to fry / other things to do |
| Jouer au chat et à la souris | To play cat and mouse | To play cat and mouse |
| Quand le chat n’est pas là, les souris dansent | When the cat is away, the mice dance | When the cat’s away, the mice will play |
3.2 Formal Expressions and Written French
| French idiom | Literal translation | Meaning or English equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| La nuit, tous les chats sont gris | At night, all cats are grey | In the dark, differences are difficult to distinguish |
| Chat échaudé craint l’eau froide | A scalded cat fears cold water | Once bitten, twice shy |
| À bon chat, bon rat | A good rat for a good cat | To meet one’s match / two equally skilled opponents |
More of a dog person? You can also explore this essential French vocabulary for dogs.
Ready to Talk About Cats in French?
You now have the essential vocabulary and expressions you need to talk about cats in French, from describing their appearance and behaviour to discussing their accessories and daily care. You can even add a few cat-related idioms to make your conversations sound more natural.
If you would like to practise this vocabulary and become more confident when speaking, my online French conversation classes offer personalised lessons with a native French teacher.
This guide was prepared with a little help from Kismet, my cat and unofficial teaching assistant, who naturally approved of today’s topic!
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