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Crying Cat Face
kry-ing kat feys
Definitions
1
Emotions ยท Sadness
Common
Expresses sadness, disappointment, or emotional pain through a crying cat face with a tear. Used to show genuine distress or exaggerated sadness in a cute, feline form.
Often used when feeling genuinely sad but wanting to express it in a softer, more endearing way than human crying emojis.
Just found out my favorite show got canceled ๐ฟ
Personal messaging
Couldn't make it to the concert because I'm sick ๐ฟ Next time for sure!
Group chat
Part of the cat emoji set that tends to be used for more gentle or playful emotional expression compared to human face emojis.
2
Emotions ยท Sympathy
Common
Used to express sympathy or empathy for someone else's misfortune or sad situation, conveying a gentler form of condolence than human crying emojis.
Appropriate for minor disappointments rather than serious grief or tragedy, where it might appear too cute or trivializing.
Sorry you didn't get the job ๐ฟ Their loss!
Direct message
Animal emojis often soften emotional expressions, making them appear less intense than their human counterparts.
Evolution Timeline
2015
Gained popularity alongside other cat emojis as part of the broader 'cat content' trend on social media.
Rise of cat memes and cat-themed content online.
2018
Increasingly used in sad reaction memes, particularly on Twitter and Tumblr.
Evolution of reaction meme culture incorporating animal emojis.
Cultural Context
Cat emojis often serve as a way to express emotions while maintaining emotional distance, as the animal form creates a buffer between the sender and raw human emotion.
Younger users tend to use animal emojis like the crying cat to express emotions in a way that feels less vulnerable or dramatic than human facial expressions.
Part of the trend toward using animal emojis as emotional surrogates in digital communication, allowing for emotional expression with a layer of cute detachment.
Regional Variations
United Kingdom
Used with slightly more restraint than in the US, often with dry or ironic humor.
United States
Often used in casual contexts among younger users, particularly on platforms like Twitter and Instagram.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Less frequently used, but appears in casual family communications, often in response to disappointing news.
Gen_Z: Frequently used in memes, often ironically or for exaggerated effect. Common in TikTok comments and Instagram stories.
Older: Rarely used, though some older cat enthusiasts may adopt it after seeing it used by younger family members.
Millennials: Used more straightforwardly to express genuine disappointment or sympathy, especially among cat lovers and pet owners.
Common Combinations
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Heartbroken, emotionally hurt or devastated.
Used for relationship problems, disappointments, or sad personal news.
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Sad goodbye or farewell.
Used when saying goodbye to someone or something you'll miss.
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Pleading or begging with sadness.
Used when making emotional requests or expressing desperate hope.