野良猫

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 野良猫 is read as のらねこ and is a noun for a stray cat living outdoors without a particular owner.
• Basic usage: A cat as subject appears in 野良猫が眠る, while an encountered cat is the object in 野良猫を見かける.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Difference from 飼い猫
  • 飼い猫 is a cat kept by a person; 野良猫 is not living as someone’s household pet.
• Meaning of 見かける
  • 見かける means happening to see the cat and does not itself imply chasing or catching it.