แมว
cat
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- 1 cat
This is the everyday Thai word for a cat. It is also used as a personal nickname.
cat
The ordinary, neutral word for a cat, whether kept as a pet or discussed more generally.
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มีแมวอยู่หน้าบ้าน mii mɛɛw yùu nâa bâan There is a cat in front of the house. มีแมวอยู่หน้าบ้าน details
Learning notes
Explanation
แมว is the basic, neutral Thai word for “cat.” It is common in both everyday conversation and writing. Cats are counted with the classifier ตัว. For example, แมวสองตัว means “two cats,” and แมวกี่ตัว means “how many cats?” It also appears in common compounds such as ลูกแมว, “kitten.” แมว can additionally be a personal nickname, particularly for a woman. In that use, it is treated as the name “Maew,” not translated as “cat.”
Usage
It is widely used when talking about pets, favorite animals, a cat’s behavior or appearance, and caring for cats. When it refers to a person, it functions as that person’s nickname.
Caution
Use the classifier ตัว when counting cats. When แมว refers to a person, it is usually a nickname rather than a figurative use of “cat.” Specialized animal names containing แมว, such as certain fish names, do not represent a common standalone meaning of the word.
Differences from similar words
1 cat synonyms
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เจ้าเหมียว is an affectionate, playful way to refer to a cat, similar to “kitty.” แมว is the neutral general term and works in nearly any context.