meow
Meow is an onomatopoeic word that represents the characteristic vocal sound made by a cat. It can be used as a verb, meaning to make this sound, or as a noun, referring to the sound itself. Cats typically meow to communicate with humans or other animals.
Meow is the onomatopoeic word for the distinctive sound a cat makes, used to describe both the sound and the act of making it.
واژه در 30 ثانیه
- The characteristic vocal sound made by a cat.
- Functions as both a noun and a verb in English.
- Primarily used to describe feline communication and behavior.
Summary
Meow is the onomatopoeic word for the distinctive sound a cat makes, used to describe both the sound and the act of making it.
- The characteristic vocal sound made by a cat.
- Functions as both a noun and a verb in English.
- Primarily used to describe feline communication and behavior.
Listen to Real Cats Meow
To truly understand 'meow,' pay attention to the sounds your own cat or videos of cats make. Notice the different pitches and lengths of their meows.
Don't Use for Other Animals
Remember that 'meow' is specific to cats. Using it for a dog, bird, or any other animal is incorrect and will sound very strange to native speakers.
Universal Cat Language
The sound 'meow' is recognized globally as the sound a cat makes, transcending language barriers in its onomatopoeic nature and association with felines.
مثالها
4 از 4My cat always meows loudly when she wants to be fed in the morning.
Ethological research has shown distinct variations in the frequency and amplitude of domestic cat meows across different social contexts.
Oh, stop meowing at me; I heard you the first time!
The children's book featured a friendly cat who would meow a greeting to everyone he met.
خانواده کلمه
راهنمای حفظ
Imagine a cat saying "M-E-O-W" as it stretches out the sound, with the 'E' being a slightly higher pitch. Think of "M" for "My" cat, and "OW" for the sound it makes, connecting it directly to your pet.
Overview
“Meow” is a highly recognizable word that directly imitates the sound a domestic cat makes. As an onomatopoeic term, its pronunciation closely mirrors the actual vocalization of felines. It serves as both a noun, referring to the specific sound (“I heard a meow”), and a verb, describing the action of making that sound (“The cat meowed for food”). This word is universally associated with cats and is one of the first animal sounds children learn.
Usage Patterns
As a verb, “meow” is typically used with a cat as the subject (e.g., “The kitten meowed softly”). It can be followed by adverbs describing the manner (e.g., “meowed loudly,” “meowed plaintively”) or prepositions indicating the recipient of the communication (e.g., “meowed at the door,” “meowed for attention”). As a noun, “meow” often appears with articles (e.g., “a loud meow,” "the cat's meows") or as part of a compound noun or phrase. It is frequently encountered in children's literature, animal stories, and everyday conversation when describing cat behavior. Humans might also “meow” to imitate a cat, often playfully.
Common Contexts
The most common context for “meow” is, naturally, in relation to cats. It's used when describing a cat's communication, whether it's seeking attention, expressing hunger, greeting someone, or indicating distress. You'll find it in pet care discussions, veterinary contexts, and casual conversations about household pets. Beyond literal cat sounds, “meow” can sometimes be used playfully or sarcastically in human interactions, though this is less common and often implies a childish or attention-seeking behavior. It's a staple in nursery rhymes and children's books that feature animals.
Similar Words comparison
While “meow” specifically refers to the sound of a cat, it belongs to a broader category of onomatopoeic words for animal sounds. For instance, “bark” is the sound of a dog, “moo” is for a cow, and “oink” for a pig. Each word is distinct and tied to a particular animal. Within feline vocalizations, “meow” is different from “purr,” which is a low, rumbling sound indicating contentment, or “hiss,” which is a sharp, sibilant sound indicating aggression or fear. “Meow” generally implies a more direct and often attention-seeking form of communication from a cat.
نکات کاربردی
Meow is generally a neutral word suitable for most informal and semi-formal contexts when referring to cat sounds. In highly academic or scientific writing, one might use "feline vocalization" for greater precision, but "meow" is perfectly acceptable. It's often used in a direct, descriptive manner, or sometimes playfully to imitate a cat.
اشتباهات رایج
A common mistake is to use "meow" for sounds made by other animals, such as dogs or birds. Another error might be misapplying its meaning in human contexts, as it's rarely used metaphorically beyond lighthearted imitation or mild sarcasm. Ensure correct verb conjugation when using it as a verb (e.g., "the cat meows," "the cat meowed").
راهنمای حفظ
Imagine a cat saying "M-E-O-W" as it stretches out the sound, with the 'E' being a slightly higher pitch. Think of "M" for "My" cat, and "OW" for the sound it makes, connecting it directly to your pet.
ریشه کلمه
The word "meow" is onomatopoeic, meaning it originated by imitating the sound it describes. Its form is similar across many languages (e.g., French "miaou," German "miau," Spanish "miau"), reflecting the universal nature of the cat's vocalization. It appeared in English around the late 16th to early 17th century.
بافت فرهنگی
Cats and their "meows" are deeply embedded in human culture worldwide, often symbolizing domesticity, independence, or mystery. In children's literature and media, the "meow" is a fundamental element in portraying cats, helping young learners associate sounds with animals. The sound is often used to evoke a sense of playfulness or to signal a cat's presence.
مثالها
My cat always meows loudly when she wants to be fed in the morning.
everydayEthological research has shown distinct variations in the frequency and amplitude of domestic cat meows across different social contexts.
academicOh, stop meowing at me; I heard you the first time!
informalThe children's book featured a friendly cat who would meow a greeting to everyone he met.
narrative/children's literatureخانواده کلمه
ترکیبهای رایج
عبارات رایج
the cat's meow
to meow at
a plaintive meow
اغلب اشتباه گرفته میشود با
While both are cat sounds, 'purr' is a low, rumbling vibration usually indicating contentment or relaxation, whereas 'meow' is a distinct, often louder vocalization used for communication or demands.
'Bark' is the characteristic sound made by a dog. 'Meow' is exclusively for cats, so using them interchangeably for the wrong animal would be incorrect.
الگوهای دستوری
Listen to Real Cats Meow
To truly understand 'meow,' pay attention to the sounds your own cat or videos of cats make. Notice the different pitches and lengths of their meows.
Don't Use for Other Animals
Remember that 'meow' is specific to cats. Using it for a dog, bird, or any other animal is incorrect and will sound very strange to native speakers.
Universal Cat Language
The sound 'meow' is recognized globally as the sound a cat makes, transcending language barriers in its onomatopoeic nature and association with felines.
خودت رو بسنج
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'meow'.
The hungry kitten began to ___ loudly for its dinner.
The verb 'to meow' is needed here, and 'began to meow' is the correct infinitive form after 'to'.
Choose the animal that typically makes a 'meow' sound.
Which animal is known for its 'meow'?
Cats are the animals universally recognized for making the 'meow' sound.
Construct a sentence using the word 'meow' as a noun.
Create a sentence where 'meow' refers to the sound itself.
In this sentence, 'meow' is preceded by an article ('a') and an adjective ('soft'), functioning as a noun that refers to the sound.
امتیاز: /3
سوالات متداول
4 سوالYes, humans can imitate a cat's meow, often for playful communication with a cat or in a humorous context. However, it's not a natural human vocalization.
Yes, 'meow' is exclusively associated with the vocalizations of cats. Using it for any other animal would be incorrect and confusing.
A cat's meow can have various meanings depending on the context, tone, and body language. It can indicate a greeting, a demand for food or attention, a sign of distress, or even a simple acknowledgment.
'Meow' is generally considered a neutral or informal word. It's very common in everyday language, especially when discussing pets or in children's stories, but rarely appears in highly formal or academic discourse outside of specialized ethological studies.
