我有一只狗
wǒ yǒu yì zhī gǒu
The phrase "I have a dog" in Chinese is 我有一只狗 (wǒ yǒu yì zhī gǒu).
我有一只狗 is a statement used to say that you own a dog.
What does it mean word for word?
The part 一只 (yì zhī) means "one [classifier for small animals]". It consists of the number one and a specific classifier used for small animals like dogs.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Chinese, you cannot simply say "one dog" (一狗). You must include a measure word (classifier) between the number and the noun, resulting in 一只狗. The measure word 只 (zhī) is used when saying "I have one dog."
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ yǒu yì zhī gǒu
Did you know?
- The word for dog 狗 is used in the phrase 狗血 (gǒu xuè), which literally means 'dog blood' but is actually used as a slang term to describe a plot that is overly dramatic or cliché.
- The measure word 只 (zhī) was originally a pictograph of a bird. Over centuries, it evolved to cover a vast range of animals, from tiny birds to dogs and even cats.
- If you are talking about a dog in a professional or affectionate way, you might use 狗狗 (gǒu gǒu). Doubling the character turns the noun into a 'cute' or diminutive version, similar to saying 'doggy' in English.
Examples in context
- 我有一只狗和两只猫。I have a dog and two cats.This sentence is useful for showing how to list multiple pets using 我有一只狗.Tatoeba #381928 by ver, translation #257247 by CK
- 我有一只狗。它是黑色的，也叫Tiki.I have a dog. He is black and his name is Tiki.This sentence is useful for providing additional descriptive details about the dog using 我有一只狗.Tatoeba #2585758 by svhschinese, translation #1460057 by piksea
- 我有一只狗，它非常可爱。Wǒ yǒu yī zhī gǒu, tā fēicháng kě'ài.I have a dog, it is very cute.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their pets in a park.
- 浩然 Haoran佳怡，你养宠物吗？Jiāyí, nǐ yǎng chǒngwù ma?Jiayi, do you have pets?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我有一只狗，你呢？Wǒ yǒu yī zhī gǒu, nǐ ne?I have a dog, what about you?
- 浩然 Haoran我也有一只狗。Wǒ yě yǒu yī zhī gǒu.I also have a dog.
- 佳怡 Jiayi太好了，浩然！Tài hǎole, Hàorán!That's great, Haoran!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
