Catchphrase

This article is about the phrases villagers use during conversation. For the phrases said by the player when catching a fish, bug, or sea creature, see catch quote.

Louie talking to the player, saying that he says "toots" a lot.

A catchphrase is a word or phrase that a villager repeats during conversation, which they usually say towards the end. Every villager has an initial catchphrase which they will ask the player to change, or by going to the Town Hall or Resident Services and reporting them (not in Animal Crossing: Wild World). Villagers may also adopt catchphrases from other villagers. For example, Elmer, who has the catchphrase "tenderfoot", may adopt another villager's catchphrase at random without the player being notified. Most catchphrases relate to a villager's personality type, species, name, or appearance. It is believed that many non-villagers, such as Blathers, have catchphrases though many usually use a number of different phrases and words, rather than the single catchphrase. Blathers and Celeste's catchphrases may be hoot, Tom Nook's catchphrase may be yes and Brewster's may be coo.

In Animal Crossing: New Leaf, catchphrases are used less obsessively than in previous games, and many of the new villagers have initial catchphrases that seem like nicknames instead of mindless repetition (not to be confused with actual nicknames).

Changing catchphrases

In Animal Crossing

To change the catchphrase of a villager in Animal Crossing, a villager must ask the player to change it. The player will know when they are being asked when the villager is surprised to see them and follows the player until spoken to. This word cannot be a swear word and cannot have more than 10 characters.

In Wild World

The only way to change the catchphrase of a villager in Wild World is for them to ask the player for a new one. When a villager wants to talk to the player, they will look at them and show they want attention by an exclamation mark appearing briefly over their head, followed by the villager walking up to the player and/or following them. However, not all occasions where the villagers wants the player's attention may be because of their catchphrase.

In City Folk

Similar to Wild World, the player can change a villager's catchphrase by waiting for them to ask the player for their suggestion on a new catchphrase. However, the player can also go to the Town Hall and asking Pelly or Phyllis to change a villager's catchphrase by selecting the option that asks if it is "rude". The catchphrases it will be changed to include "yesiree" and "right."

In New Leaf

The methods are the same as in City Folk, except the player must consult Isabelle instead. When reported, the catchphrase will become "uh-huh".

In New Horizons

The methods remain mostly as they were in City Folk and New Leaf, except sometimes the player can also directly witness a conversation between two villagers where one will admire the other's catchphrase and obtain permission to use it themselves. When reported, instead of the catchphrase being changed to a simple word or phrase, it will be reset to the villager's default catchphrase. For example, Alfonso will go back to saying "it'sa me" when reported. However, the villager may pick up a new catchphrase very soon afterwards, sometimes from the same villager that they obtained their previous new catchphrase from.

Preventions against changing a catchphrase

A catchphrase can be changed to anything provided it:

• Doesn't exceed the character limit. This will be alerted by an alert sound.
• Doesn't contain profane words. If entered, a speech bubble will pop up saying "You can't enter that!"

Gameplay elements

Player Player Mayor approval rating Catalog Catch quotes Hairstyle Passport Pockets Photo Reaction Reputation Resident Representative Skin tone Tool Town Pass Card Town Town/island Hemisphere Amenities Animal tracks Rebuild the town Acres Objects Public works projects Town fund Town initiative Town ordinance Lost and found Group Life House Happy Home Academy Balloon Event Fashion check Fêng shui Home loan Letter Luck Moving NookPhone Savings Visit Activities Badges Bug catching Constellation Designing Fishing Mystery Island Tour Part-time job Stalk Market Swimming Tour (Tortimer Island) Character AI Villager Starting villager Special character Catchphrase Compatibility Conversation Episode Friendship Hobbies Scrapbook Memory Nickname Personality Petition Sickness Star sign Quests Ball Favor Hide-and-seek Lost item Time Capsule Minigames NES games Doubutsu no Mori e+: Doubutsu-tachi to Asobou! Desert Island Escape Animal Crossing Puzzle League Currencies Bells Caps Leaf Tickets Medals MEOW Coupons Nook Miles Play Coins Poki Vouchers Vehicles Bus Camper RV Taxi Train Connectivity Multiplayer Dream DS Suitcase Friend Code Happy Home Network Design Contest Nintendo Network Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection NookLink Tag Mode Transfer WiiConnect24 Cheating Cheating device Glitch Gameplay modification Seeds Time travel Fourth Wall • Reset • Secret code • Category