犬
inu[inɯ̟]
The English word "dog" is translated into Japanese as 犬 (inu). Wiktionary also lists 狗 (inu).
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 犬 | inu | [inɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 狗 | inu | [e̞nɯ̟] (narrow) |
The standard way to refer to the animal is 犬. This term is often used in compound words to describe specific breeds or types of dogs.
Which one should you use?
While 犬 and 狗 both romanize as inu, they are different ways of writing the word.
How do you pronounce it?
inu
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, dogs are often associated with the 'komainu' sculptures found guarding the entrances of Shinto shrines.
- There is a historical theory that the word 犬 might have originally come from an ancient verb meaning 'to leave' or 'to be gone', referring to a dog that stays behind to guard a home.
Examples in context
- 猛犬に注意！Beware of the dog!This sentence shows how to use 犬 in a warning sign.Tatoeba #80167 by bunbuku, translation #323550 by CK
- 犬が吠えた。The dog barked.This sentence demonstrates 犬 as the subject of a simple action.Tatoeba #7422003 by Ninja, translation #2252571 by CK
- 大きな犬ね。It's a big dog.This sentence shows how to use 犬 when describing a dog's size.Tatoeba #11029578 by small_snow, translation #2661312 by shekitten
- 田中さんのいぬはとてもかわいいです。Mr./Ms. Tanaka's dog is very cute.
- わんこちゃん、おいで！Come here, doggy!
- 682 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are walking through a park.
- 健太 Kentaあ、あそこに犬がいるよ。A, asoko ni inu ga iru yo.Oh, there is a dog over there.
- 結衣 Yui本当だ！すごくかわいい犬ね。Hontō da! Sugoku kawaii inu ne.You're right! It's a very cute dog.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さんは犬が好き？Yui-san wa inu ga suki?Do you like dogs, Yui?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、大好きです！Hai, daisuki desu!Yes, I love them!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dog” translations and entries 犬, 狗, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 犬, 狗, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
