大きい犬
Ōkii inu
The English phrase 'big dog' is translated into Japanese as 大きい犬 (Ōkii inu).
This phrase is used to describe a dog that is large in size.
Which one should you use?
There are two ways to express 'big' in this context: 大きい and 大きな. While both can mean 'big dog', they function differently. The form 大きい can be used as a predicate to say 'The dog is big', but the form 大きな is an attributive adjective that can only be used directly before a noun and cannot stand alone as a predicate.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 大きい犬, the adjective 大きい precedes the noun 犬 to modify it. Additionally, while both 大きい and 大きな can modify a noun, only 大きい can be used as a predicate to describe a subject (e.g., 'The dog is big').
How do you pronounce it?
Ōkii inu
Did you know?
- The word 犬 is sometimes used in the compound 犬猿の仲, which literally means 'dog and monkey relationship' to describe two people who hate each other.
- In Japan, the word 犬 appears in the phrase 犬の歩みで, which means 'at a dog's pace' to describe someone who is moving incredibly slowly.
- In Japanese, the word for dog, 犬, can also be used as a derogatory term for someone who is a sycophant or a follower of a leader, much like the English word 'lapdog'.
Examples in context
- 彼女の家には大型犬が一匹います。She has a big dog at her house.
- あそこに大きい犬がいます。Asoko ni ookii inu ga imasu.There is a big dog over there.
- 大きい犬はとても強いです。Ookii inu wa totemo tsuyoi desu.A big dog is very strong.
- 公園で大きい犬を見ました。Kouen de ookii inu o mimashita.I saw a big dog in the park.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are walking through a park.
- 健太 Kentaあそこに大きい犬がいますね！Asoko ni ookii inu ga imasu ne!There is a big dog over there, isn't there!
- 結衣 Yui本当ですね。とても可愛いです。Hontou desu ne. Totemo kawaii desu.You're right. It's very cute.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんは大きい犬が好きですか？Yui-san wa ookii inu ga suki desu ka?Yui, do you like big dogs?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、大好きです。Hai, daisuki desu.Yes, I love them.
