How to Say "Puppy" in Japanese

子犬

koinu[ko̞inɯ̟]

The Japanese word for puppy is 子犬 (koinu).

The term 子犬 is used to refer to a young dog.

Meaning: young dog (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

koinu

In Japanese pop culture, the term 子犬系 describes a 'puppy-type' personality, typically used for men who are cute, loyal and slightly dependent.
While 子犬 means puppy, the word ワンちゃん is a common affectionate term that adds a cute suffix and uses the sound of a bark, 'wan', as the root.
If you want to describe a puppy as being particularly 'cute' or 'small' in a way that 'kawaii' doesn't quite capture, Japanese speakers sometimes use the sound-symbolic term ぷにぷに (punipuni) to describe their soft texture.

子犬はいつ犬になるの？
When does a puppy become a dog?
This sentence is useful for asking about the transition from a puppy to an adult dog using 子犬.
Tatoeba #9681777 by small_snow, translation #9681751 by shekitten
子犬がしっぽをふってついてきた。
A puppy followed me wagging its tail.
This sentence describes a puppy following someone using 子犬.
Tatoeba #168400 by small_snow, translation #246092 by CM
トムが学校に子犬を連れてきたんだ。
Tom brought a puppy to school.
This sentence describes someone bringing a puppy to school using 子犬.
Tatoeba #9419309 by small_snow, translation #9419307 by CK
13 more sentences on Tatoeba

Hiroto and Yui are looking at a pet shop window.

大翔 Hiroto

見て！あの子犬、すごくかわいいね。
Mite! Ano koinu, sugoku kawaii ne.
Look! That puppy is so cute.
結衣 Yui

本当だ。あの子犬、寝てるよ。
Hontou da. Ano koinu, neteru yo.
You're right. That puppy is sleeping.
大翔 Hiroto

結衣なら、子犬を飼いたいと思う？
Yui nara, koinu o kaitai to omou?
Yui, do you think you'd want to keep a puppy?
結衣 Yui

うん、私も子犬を飼いたいな。
Un, watashi mo koinu o kaitai na.
Yeah, I want to have a puppy too.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏