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1What does the π (cat) emoji mean?
2What do the cat reaction emojis mean?
3How to Use Different Cat Emojis
4How to Reply to Cat Emojis
5Alternative Meanings
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Co-authored byJanice Tieperman
Last Updated: June 21, 2024Fact Checked
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Cat got your tongue? From photo captions and social media posts to texts and group chats, you probably see a wide variety of cute π (cat) and π± (cat-face) emojis on a regular basis, along with some expressive cat reactions, like πΉ (cat with tears of joy) and π» (smiling cat heart eyes). But what exactly do these cute kitties mean? Not to worryβweβre here to walk you through the feline world of emojis, so you can pick out the purrfect one for your next message or post.
Meaning of the Cat (ππ±πΉ) Emojis
The traditional π (cat) emoji represents an actual kitty cat. Some cat emojis serve the same purpose, like the π± (cat-face) emoji,πββ¬ (black cat) emoji, orπΊ (happy cat) emoji. Cat reaction emojis (like πΉ or π») are cute and lighthearted alternatives to traditional emojis that represent the same emotions.
Section 1 of 5:
What does the π (cat) emoji mean?
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The π emoji represents an actual kitty. Did someone you follow just post a picture of their cat? Chances are, they dropped a π emoji in the caption as a cute tribute to their furry friend. Unlike more flamboyant feline reactions like πΈ and π, the traditional π emoji represents cats as an animal, rather than an emotion.[1] Some other cat emojis serve the same purpose, like:
- π± (cat-face) emoji
- πββ¬ (black cat) emoji
- πΊ (happy cat) emoji
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Section 2 of 5:
What do the cat reaction emojis mean?
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Cat reaction emojis are cute, silly alternatives to their traditional emoji counterparts. Some people save these emojis exclusively for cat-related messages, while other people use them as reactions for more joking/lighthearted situations. For example:
- Them: βThe vending machine was out of Skittles!! Iβm so sad πβ
You: βNooooo thatβs terrible πΏπΏβ - Them: βJust got a flat in the middle of the highwayβ¦ worst day ever π β
You: βOMG Iβm so sorry!! π’π’ Is there anything I can do to help?β[2]
- Them: βThe vending machine was out of Skittles!! Iβm so sad πβ
Section 3 of 5:
How to Use Different Cat Emojis
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1
π or π±: Show off your precious kitty by dropping a π or π± emoji in the caption. Letβs face itβcat pictures are meant to be posted and shared all over the internet. Get your own kittyβs adorable mugshot out on the web with a few well-placed cat emojis. The πΎ emoji also works well for this!
- βMr. Beans is getting into mischief again! ππΎβ
- βYet another flawless picture of Sprinklesβ¦ you wish you could be this photogenic π±πβ
- βSince itβs #BlackCatAppreciationDay, I figured Iβd share a pic of my precious Bombay kitty! ππ±πββ¬β
2
πΊ: You guessed itβthis is a purr-rific alternative to the standard π emoji. Stick this emoji in any caption, post, or text to share what a good mood youβre in, or to share something wonderful and exciting thatβs going on.[3]
- βTodayβs gonna be a good day! πΊβ
- βMy co-worker just got proposed to over the weekend! πΊβ
- βGot to pet some cats on my way to work and it was easily the best part of my day πΊβ
3
πΈ: Feeling the love? The πΈ emoji is a great way to show your happiness and contentedness, especially if youβre being pampered by a friend or loved one.[4]
- βSugar cookies and angel food cake? Youβre spoiling me πΈπΈβ
- βFeeling really loved today πΈ Thanks for all the b-day wishes!β
- βLove spending time with my kitty πΈβ
4
πΌ: Sometimes the regular π just doesnβt cut it. Not to worryβjust crank up the sarcasm and wry humor with a few πΌ emojis.[5] It can also be a handy way to dial up the flirtiness of a message.
- βSounds like you had a late night last night πΌπΌβ
- βWow, Iβve totally never heard that one before πΌβ
- βYou should wear those earrings more often! πΌβ
- βLove waking up to my cat making biscuits on my backβ¦ πΌβ
5
πΉ: πΉ offers a fun, playful way to react to just about everything. Is your friend cracking terrible dad jokes in the group chat? Drop a πΉ. Did the most ridiculous cat meme just pop up on your Instagram feed? Share the LOLs with a quick πΉ in the comments.[6]
- βWait, you actually sent that to him? πΉπΉβ
- βThis is most hilarious thing Iβve seen all week πΉβ
- βI think I gave my cat too much catnipβ¦ heβs genuinely high now πΉπΉβ
6
π»: Why use the regular π emoji when you can send the cat version? This adoring emoji carries the exact same energy as its traditional emoji counterpart and is the perfect response to cute (or attractive) pictures that catch your eye. Of course, itβs also the perfect emoji to use when your friend texts you a picture of their kitty.[7]
- βYour cat is literally the cutest thing on the entire planet π»β
- βLoving the update on your Story. Whoβs the guy?? π»π»β
- Them: βCheck out this guy I passed at the grocery storeβ
You: π»β
7
π½: Yup, this emoji is identical to π, only with ears, whiskers, and a button nose. You can use these emojis pretty interchangeably. So, any time you feel like being extra affectionate, mushy, or lovey-dovey to your friends, loved ones, or SO, drop a π½ in the chat.[8]
- βSaw this and thought of youβ¦ π½β
- βYou really are the best, you know that? π½π½β
- βAww, you guys are so cute! π½β
8
πΏ: Spill mustard on your favorite shirt? Watch a sad episode of your favorite TV show? The πΏ is a great, light-hearted way to express sadness over not-very-serious issues.[9]
- βTFW the barista accidentally puts soy milk in your drink πΏβ
- βWoke up this morning thinking it was Saturday, only to remember that it was Thursday πΏβ
- βOliver took a 3 AM dump in his litterbox and the smell woke me up πΏπΏβ
- Them: βMy phone said that the package was delivered, but itβs still not here πβ
You: βOh no!! πΏ Did you report it missing?β
9
π: This emoji is used to display a wide variety of shock and awe. Itβs much more lighthearted than its π± counterpart, which makes it a great emoji to use for sarcastic comebacks.[10]
- βYouβre killing me here. Whatβs the big news?! ππβ
- βApparently my next-door neighbor is friends with a famous singer? πβ
- βThought my cat was just fat, but sheβs actually pregnant πππβ
10
πΎ: Ticked off but not actually angry? The πΎ emoji helps you strike a happy medium in all of your frustrations and annoyances. Save it for when youβre in a sour mood, or when things just arenβt going your way.[11]
- βI love sitting next to crying babies on a 5-hour flight πΎπΎβ
- βWhy is my cat meowing at 2 AM? Iβm so πΎπΎβ
- Older versions of this emoji had the pouting cat facing right instead of straight forward.[12] This gave the emoji a βcold shoulderβ type of vibe, which it doesnβt really have anymore.
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Section 4 of 5:
How to Reply to Cat Emojis
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1
Compliment someoneβs cute kitty with a π, π», or π₯° emoji. Maybe your friend just got a new kitten, or a celeb you follow just posted a pic of their pet cat. Share all of the love with a handful of lovey-dovey emojis. Feel free to throw some cat emojis in there, too!
- βRamses the Great has gotten so big!! ππ» I love Sphinx cats so much πππ₯°β
- βOmg your new kitty is so cute! π»π» Iβm going to be sneaking that little guy so many treats πΌβ
- βLook at his little toe beans!! πππ» Iβm dying of cuteness over here πβ
2
Mirror back someoneβs cat emojis with some cat-tastic emojis of your own. Thereβs no βrightβ or βwrongβ way to use cat reaction emojisβit really depends on your mood, as well as the tone of the conversation. If the other person is sprinkling some cat reactions into their messages, dish it back by sending some purrfect emojis of your own.
- Them: βSounds like someone let the cat out of the bagβ¦ πΌπΌπΌβ
You: βWho, me? ππβ - Them: βHave you looked outside yet? Itβs raining πΊ and πΆ out there.β
You: βAh, cat puns. Those never get old πΎπΎβ
- Them: βSounds like someone let the cat out of the bagβ¦ πΌπΌπΌβ
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Section 5 of 5:
Alternative Meanings
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Female Genitalia: In recent years, people have taken an old slang word for βcatβ and repurposed it as a slang word for female genitalia. So, if your conversation is taking a less-than-innocent direction and someone drops the π± emoji, you can safely assume they arenβt talking about a kitty cat. The more you know![13]
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References
- β https://emojipedia.org/cat-face
- β https://www.thrillist.com/lifestyle/nation/what-the-most-confusing-emojis-actually-mean
- β https://emojipedia.org/cat-face
- β https://whatemoji.org/grinning-cat-with-smiling-eyes/
- β https://emojipedia.org/cat-face
- β https://emojipedia.org/cat-face
- β https://whatemoji.org/smiling-cat-with-heart-eyes/
- β https://whatemoji.org/kissing-cat/
- β https://www.thrillist.com/lifestyle/nation/what-the-most-confusing-emojis-actually-mean
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About This Article
Co-authored by:
Janice Tieperman
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Janice is a professional and creative writer who has worked at wikiHow since 2019. With both a B.A. and M.A. in English from East Stroudsburg University, she has a passion for writing a wide variety of content for anyone and everyone. In her free time, you can find her working on a new crochet pattern, listening to true crime podcasts, or tackling a new creative writing project. This article has been viewed 96,722 times.
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Updated: June 21, 2024
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