可愛い犬
kawaii inu
The English phrase "cute dog" is translated into Japanese as 可愛い犬 (kawaii inu).
The phrase is used to describe a dog that is attractive in a pretty or endearing way. In informal situations, you can intensify the description by adding words before the adjective. For example, you can use めっちゃ可愛い犬 or 超可愛い犬 to emphasize that the dog is very cute.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective 可愛い, meaning cute or lovely and the noun 犬, meaning dog.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Japanese, the adjective 可愛い precedes the noun 犬 directly to modify it, which is similar to the word order used in English.
How do you pronounce it?
kawaii inu
Did you know?
- The word 可愛い originally meant 'to be pitiable' or 'to be dear to one's heart' in a way that evoked sympathy, rather than just being aesthetically pleasing.
- In Japanese, the word 犬 (inu) is part of many common compound words, such as 犬走り (inubashiri), which refers to a narrow path meant to prevent water from spreading.
- In certain Japanese subcultures, especially related to 'kawaii' culture, people might use the word 可愛い to describe things that are intentionally weird, grotesque, or unsettling.
Examples in context
- あそこに可愛い犬がいます。Asoko ni kawaii inu ga imasu.There is a cute dog over there.
- あの可愛い犬の名前は何ですか？Ano kawaii inu no namae wa nan desu ka?What is the name of that cute dog?
- 公園で可愛い犬を見ました。Kouen de kawaii inu o mimashita.I saw a cute dog at the park.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are walking through a park together.
- 陽葵 Himari見て、あそこに可愛い犬がいるよ！Mite, asoko ni kawaii inu ga iru yo!Look, there is a cute dog over there!
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ、陽葵、すごく可愛いね。Hontou da, Himari, sugoku kawaii ne.You're right, Himari, it is really cute.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔さんも、あの犬が好き？Hiroto-san mo, ano inu ga suki?Do you like that dog too, Hiroto?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、とても可愛いと思う。Un, totemo kawaii to omou.Yeah, I think it's very cute.
