Hello, everyone!
While I was spending some time with my laziness (we've been married for years, you know ;)), I finally had an idea for a post -- and the topic couldn't be sweeter, as you're about to see!
Different cultures see animals in different ways and, sometimes, the characteristics we attribute to them can be found in our language. Animal-related idioms and slang can be incomprehensible if you have no idea of how native speakers “see” those animals and their (often anthropomorphic) characteristics.
In Brazil, cats are perceived as beautiful animals -- sure, we do realize they are also smart, independent, agile, the most adorable creatures on Earth and PRETTY MUCH PERFECT, but comparing someone to a cat is, understandably, a way to praise their beauty, as if s/he's as beautiful as a cat.
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Let's see some examples.
“Ele é um gato!” - “He is handsome!” (lit. “a cat”)
“Aquela atriz é uma gata.” - “That actress is pretty.” (lit. “a cat”)
We never use it to refer to pretty things or animals, only people. (Yeah, because THAT would be too weird, right?)
Oddly enough, you can use the word “cat” as a kind of adjective:
“Meu professor é muito gato.” - “My (male) teacher is very attractive.” (lit. “very cat”? :))
“Minhas vizinhas são gatas demais!” - “My (female) neighbors are too beautiful!” (lit. “too cat”)
“Nossa, aqueles caras são tão gatos!” - “Wow, those guys look so good!” (lit. they “are so cat”)
It's also possible to use this word in a more friendly way: you may call your friends “gatos” and “gatas”, meaning “dear”, “darling”, “sweetie”, “cutie”, “honey”. Actually, if you're a very outgoing person, you may even use it with people you don't know well -- or at all.
“Oi, gata!” - “Hi, darling!” (fem.)
“E aí, gato?” - “What's up, sweetie?” (masc.)
However, be careful: people might get the wrong idea and think you're flirting with them. First, you should ask yourself: would you call them “sweetie”, “honey” or “cutie”? No? Then don't call them “gato” or “gata”. Seriously, I can't be responsible for embarrassing misunderstandings, awkward situations and ruined friendships!! :D
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The diminutives are very common as well and can be used in both senses (attractiveness and friendliness):
“Que gatinho!” - “How pretty (this guy is)!”, “What a cute (guy)!” (lit. “What a kitten!”)
“Vou falar com aquela gatinha ali.” - “I'm going to talk to that beautiful girl over there.” (lit. “that kitten”)
“Tudo bem, gatinhas?” - “Everything all right, dear girls / pretty ladies?”
“Não faça isso, gatinho.” - “Don't do this, honey / dear (boy).”
The augmentatives, on the other hand, are more caring. Actually, it may sound a bit silly if you use “gatão” or “gatona” to allude to someone's beauty, unless you mean it in a friendly way. I can imagine a proud mother saying “Este é o meu gatão!” meaning “That's my dear, pretty big boy!”, for example.
You can use all these forms when talking to children (especially the diminutive and augmentative), but -again- be careful!
I hope you've enjoyed this -- I intend to talk more about “animal idioms” soon. Maybe more cat idioms... or dogs, perhaps? Hmmm... ;)
See you!
