Although it is hard to tell how cats feel, as a matter of fact, their tails tell you how they feel. We summarize 14 patterns with illustrations and comments. Once you know these patterns, it will help you when you live with a cat.
猫的内心是难以捉摸的，不过我们可以从它们的尾巴看出它们的心情。这里总结出了14种猫摇尾巴的方式，还附有图片解释说明。了解了这些动作之后，你跟猫相处就会更加容易。
1. Put their tail straight up in the air.
1. 直直地竖起尾巴
They show this sign when they feel good at a safe place or happy. Also, they raise their tail to show themselves off. They are masters of their territories. It is as if they are saying, “I’m nice, ain’t I?”
当它们在一个地方有安全感，或者是心情好的时候就会这样竖起尾巴。另外，这也是它们炫耀自己的方式，显示它们就是自己地盘的主人，就好像是在说“瞧我挺不错的吧？”
2. Stand hairs on end
2. 把毛都竖起来
They do this sign when they stand are apprehensive or aggressive. They do this to intimidate an opponent or prey. They make themselves look bigger by standing their hairs on end. Their size is important to help avoid conflict. Sometimes the cause is fear, but most of the time, they do this for attacking.
这表示它们内心极度不安，或者是准备要攻击了。这么做是为了吓唬敌人或猎物。它们把身上的毛都竖起来，这样自己的块头就会显得更大。体型对避免打斗十分重要。有时候它们是因为恐惧才这么做的，不过大部分情况下是为了攻击。
3. Make their tail into a mountain shape
3. 把尾巴弯成小山的形状
They do this when they are in tension or before fighting. When there is an opportunity, they make pattern 2 and 3 in combination, which means fighting. The sign means “Do not come any closer.”
它们在紧张或者准备打架的时候就会这么做。有机会的话，它们会第二种和第三种姿势一起做，那样就表示要打架了，这也是在说“不要再靠近我了”。
4. Sandwich their tail between their legs
4. 把尾巴夹在两腿之间
This is a sign when they feel helpless fear. Sometimes they do this pose as a sign of “submission” to an opponent, whom they cannot win against at all. In addition, they make this sign when they feel sad, or when they feel extreme anxiety when they go to a new place or an animal hospital. It is one step before a panic situation. So avoid giving them stimulus.
这是它们感到害怕无助的表现。有时候这个姿势表示对敌人的屈从，因为它们没有办法打赢。在伤心的时候，或者在新地方、宠物医院里极度焦虑的时候，它们也会有这样的表现。它们已经临近恐慌边缘了，所以这时候不要再刺激它们了。
5. Lower their tail
5. 尾巴下垂
When they are disappointed because they got yelled at by their master, they are down, or they feel ill, they do this sign. You can tell their health condition with this sign.
主人对它们大声吆喝的时候，它们感到失望、沮丧的时候，或者生病的时候，它们就会有这样的表现。这个动作可以体现它们的健康状况。
6. Long tail waving
6. 大摇尾巴
They do this sign when they find something interesting. When they feel “What's this?”, they have a question, or they watch something, they often do this sign. Sometimes they wave their tails when they are relaxed or when they are not thinking anything.
这代表它们发现了有趣的东西，在想“这是什么东西？”，或者是在看着什么东西、感到疑惑。有时候心情放松或者什么都没想的时候它们也会这样摇尾巴。
7. Short tail wave
7. 摆动小半截尾巴
This is when they are annoyed or feel bad. It can also show they are restless. It is like people shaking their leg.
当心烦或者心情不好的时候它们就会这样摆尾巴。也有可能是不耐烦，就像人抖大腿一样。
8. Swing their tail from left to right
8. 尾巴左右甩
It shows confidence. They show their strength by walking majestically and swinging their tail from left to right. It is also a sign that they are within their territory.
这是自信地表现。它们走路时充满威严，尾巴左右摇摆，以显示自己的力量。这也表示它们是在自己的地盘里。
9. Shake a tail rapidly
9. 尾巴快速摆动
They do this when they are frustrated or are mad. They feel bad so it's better to leave them alone. Be careful of an outburst: they may suddenly bite or scratch you.
当它们沮丧或者生气的时候就会快速摆动尾巴。它们心情不好，所以最好让它们自己待着。要小心它们情绪爆发，它们可能会突然咬你或者抓你。
10. Wave their tail in rhythm
10. 尾巴有节奏地摇摆
They do this sign when they are concentrated in order to catch their prey. They also do this when they are thinking something or pondering.
当它们集中精神捕捉猎物的时候就会有节奏地摇尾巴。它们在思考的时候也会这么做。
11. Wave their tail slowly side by side while sitting
11. 坐着的时候缓慢地左右摆尾巴
They do this when they are thinking what they should do. They also wave a tail like this when they cradle kittens.
这是它们在思考准备要做什么。在哄小猫睡觉的时候它们也会这样摆尾巴。
12. Wave the tip of their tail while laying down
12. 躺下的时候摇尾巴尖
They reply to you only with a tail because it is troublesome to wake up. It is like an amiable reply. It may also like a conditioned reflex.
它们只用尾巴来搭理你，因为觉得起身太麻烦了。这是个友好的回应，也可能是条件反射。
13. Snuggle their tail when being held
13. 被抱起来的时候尾巴紧贴肚子
They do this when they feel fear. When animals show their belly, it means they are showing their weakest point. They "protect" themselves by hiding. On the contrary, it means they are confident if their tail is falling.
它们感到害怕的时候就会这样做。露出肚子对动物来说就是把弱点暴露出来了，他们会把肚子藏起来来保护自己。相反，如果它们放下尾巴，就代表它们很自信。
14. Shake their tail strongly when being held
14. 被抱着的时候用力摇尾巴
This sign shows that they don't like being held. On the contrary, it means they are confident when they wave their tail slowly.
这代表它们不喜欢被抱着。相反，如果它们慢慢地摇尾巴，就代表它们很自信。
（翻译：Lorenzo 来源：沪江英语）
