What does “neko” mean in Japanese?
Native speakers say “neko” to mean ‘cat’ in Japanese. Very simple, I think. In this blog post, however, I will explain its definition and meaning in detail with its origin. And also, I will explain how to use it through example sentences. My explanations would help Japanese learners to understand “neko” more clearly. Then, let’s get started!
Contents
Definition and meaning of “neko”
Let me start with the definition and meaning of “neko”.
- neko – 猫 (ねこ) : a noun meaning ‘cat’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. Learn more about Japanese plural.
Native speakers use this noun to refer to a cat or cats in Japanese. It is said that this noun consists of the two parts: “ne” and “ko”. The first one is a word meaning ‘sleeping’; the second is a word meaning a kid or child. This noun seems to be a good metaphor for cat’s lives. They sleep all the time.
The definition and meaning are simple and clear, I think. Then, let me explain how to use this noun through the example sentence below.
Example #1: how to say “cat” in Japanese
kono neko wa totemo kawaii – この猫はとても可愛い (このねこはとてもかわいい)
This cat is very cute.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- kono – この : a determiner used before a noun referring to a thing close to the speaker. In the example, this is used before “neko” to say “this cat” in Japanese.
- wa – は : a binding particle working as a case marker or topic marker. In the example, this is used after “kono neko” to make the subject in the sentence.
- totemo – とても : an adverb of degree meaning ‘very’, ‘much’, ‘so’, or such in Japanese. In the example, this is used before “kawaii” to emphasize its meaning.
- kawaii – 可愛い (かわいい) : an i-adjective meaning ‘cute’ in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “neko”. In this example, it works together with the determiner to mean ‘this cat’ in Japanese.
Example #2: another usage of “neko”
watashi wa neko ga suki desu – 私は猫が好きです (わたしはねこがすきです)
I love cats.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- watashi – 私 (わたし) : a pronoun meaning ‘I’ in Japanese.
- ga – が : a case particle used to make the subject word or the object word in a sentence. In the example, this is used after “neko” to make the object in the sentence.
- suki – 好き (すき) : one conjugation of the na-adjective, “sukina”, which means ‘favorite’ in Japanese. In reality, however, native speakers often use this as an individual word to mean ‘to like’ or ‘to love’ in Japanese. In the example, actually, this works to mean ‘to love’.
- desu – です : an auxiliary verb used after a noun or adjective to make it polite. Probably, this is well known as a part of Japanese desu form. In the example, this is used after “suki” to make it sound polite.
This is another typical usage of “neko”. In this example, it works as plural to mean ‘cats’ in Japanese. When we want to say “cat” or “cats” in Japanese, anyway, this noun is the best option.
So far, I’ve explained the definition and meaning of “neko” and how to use it through the example sentences. Next, let me explain its related expression.
Definition and meaning of “koneko”
Below are the definition and meaning of “koneko”.
- koneko – 子猫 (こねこ) : a noun meaning ‘kitten’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural.
“子” added here is a kanji character widely used to mean ‘kid’ or ‘child’ in Japanese. So, this noun literally means ‘kid cat’ or ‘child cat’. This literal interpretation is completely in line with the meaning, ‘kitten’.
To tell the truth, the newly-added kanji is one of the original parts of “neko”, but added again. This kind of duplication sometimes happens to Japanese words. As times change, we forget the original meanings of words and do some duplication. The same thing happens to other languages as well, I guess.
Then, let me explain how to use “koneko” through the example sentence below.
Example #3: how to say “kitten” in Japanese
ano koneko wa kanari chiisai – あの子猫はかなり小さい (あのこねこはかなりちいさい)
That kitten is very small.
Below are the new words used in the example sentence.
- ano – あの : a determiner used before a noun referring to a thing not close to the speaker. In the example, this is used before “koneko” to say “that kitten” in Japanese.
- kanari – かなり : an adverb of degree meaning ‘very’, ‘much’, ‘so’, or such in Japanese. In the example, this is used before “chiisai” to emphasize its meaning.
- chiisai – 小さい (ちいさい) : an i-adjective meaning ‘small’ in Japanese.
This is a typical usage of “koneko”. In the example, it works together with the determiner to say “that kitten” in Japanese. When we want to say “kitten” or “kittens” in Japanese, this noun is the best choice.
Summary
In this blog post, I’ve explained the definition and meaning of “neko” in detail based on its origin. And also, I’ve explained its usages and its related expression. Let me summarize them as follows.
- neko – 猫 (ねこ) : a noun meaning ‘cat’ in Japanese. This can also work as plural. It is said that this noun consists of the two parts: “ne” and “ko”. The first one is a word meaning ‘sleeping’; the second is a word meaning a kid or child. So, this noun seems to be a good metaphor for cat’s lives. They sleep all the time.
- koneko – 子猫 (こねこ) : a noun meaning ‘kitten’ in Japanese. This word can also work as plural. These two kanji characters literally mean ‘kid cat’ or ‘child cat’. This kanji concept is completely in line with the meaning.
Hope my explanations are understandable and helpful for Japanese learners.
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