好狗
hǎogǒu
The Chinese phrase for "good dog" is 好狗 (hǎogǒu).
好狗 can be used to praise a dog for behaving well or obeying a command. However, it is more common in Chinese to praise a pet's behavior using the word 乖 (guāi), such as in the phrase 真乖 (zhēn guāi), which means "so well-behaved".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective 好 (hǎo), meaning "good" and the noun 狗 (gǒu), meaning "dog".
How do you pronounce it?
hǎogǒu
Did you know?
- While an English speaker might say 好狗 to a pet, using it toward a person can be a severe insult implying they are a low-life or a person without dignity.
- The character 好 (hǎo) is composed of the radicals for 'woman' and 'child', a linguistic structure that reflects traditional social values.
- The word 乖 (guāi), often used instead of 好, was originally used to describe the way a child's hair grew or how they walked, rather than their obedience.
Examples in context
- 你太棒了，真是一只聪明的狗！(Nǐ tài bàng le, zhēn shì yī zhī cōngmíng de gǒu!)You are great, truly a smart dog!
Example conversation
Wei is training his dog while Zihan watches.
- 伟 Wei好狗，把球给我。Hǎo gǒu, bǎ qiú gěi wǒ.Good dog, give me the ball.
- 梓涵 Zihan它听话地把球带来了。Tā tīng huà de bǎ qiú dài lái le.It obediently brought the ball back.
- 伟 Wei它太聪明了。Tā tài cōng míng le.It is so smart.
- 梓涵 Zihan确实是一只好狗。Què shí shì yī zhī hǎo gǒu.It really is a good dog.
