Yes, They ARE Listening

[SorellaLaBefana]

Even if your cat hasn’t gotten your tongue, it’s most likely getting your words. Without any particular training, the animals—like human babies—appear to pick up basic human language skills just by listening to us talk. Indeed, cats learn to associate images with words even faster than babies do, according to a study published this month in Scientific Reports. That means that, despite all appearances to the contrary, our furtive feline friends may actually be listening to what we say…

https://www.science.org/content/article/cats-beat-babies-word-association-game?

Perhaps judging as well?

[House of Roberts]

1. Mine know the word 'cookie' means treats.

They know ‘crunchy’ means dry food, and ‘vittles’ means wet food. There may be other words they respond to but those are the ones they know the best.

[spooky3]

2. "Want a treat?" "Want a Churu?" are understood in this house. :-)

“No” and “stop that” are understood but ignored as long as it takes me to reach them.

[SorellaLaBefana]

6. Oh, that is SO TRUE

[Earthrise]

7. My hubby is the Churu man - they KNOW that word

They will run from anywhere in the house to him when he asks who wants Churu…

[Martin Eden]

3. Listening is one thing; OBEYING is something else

Or do I misunderstand our feline friends?

[lastlib]

5. Why should they obey when THEY are in charge??

Does your boss at work take orders from you?

[2naSalit]

4. They most certainly do.

I work with cts, teach them things and they are, when in the mood, quite willing students There's one kitten I watch sometimes, abut 7 mos old, and she is sharp and demands that I teach her more every time I see her. Her sister is similar but not as aggressive. Their mom approves and likes to watch while I play with her little girls. She joins in sometimes but mostly she's just watching.

Cats are amazingly smart, as you could see if you pay attention and learn their language too.