Translation and Meaning of: 犬 - inu

If you are studying Japanese, you have certainly come across the word 犬 (いぬ), which means "dog." But do you know the origin of this kanji, how it is used in everyday Japanese, or even interesting facts about its writing? In this article, we will explore the etymology, meaning, and usage of this term that is so common in Japan. Additionally, you will learn tips to memorize the ideogram and discover popular expressions that include this word. If you use Anki or another spaced repetition system, you'll love the practical sentences we've gathered to boost your studies.

Origin and etymology of the kanji 犬

The kanji 犬 has a fascinating history. Its ancient form, found on oracle bones from the Shang dynasty, already represented a four-legged dog, with its tail raised. Over the centuries, the character has been simplified, but it still retains the essence of the animal. Interestingly, in ancient China, dogs were seen both as companions and as ritual offerings, which may explain why this kanji appears in related to sacrifices.

In the Japanese language, 犬 is one of the first kanji that students learn, precisely because it is simple and useful in daily life. Although there are other words to refer to dogs, such as ワンちゃん (wan-chan, a term of endearment), the ideogram 犬 is the most formal and widely used. Have you noticed how it resembles a sitting dog? This visual association greatly aids in memorization!

Everyday use and popular expressions

In Japan, dogs are very beloved animals, and this is reflected in the language. The word 犬 appears in various idiomatic expressions, such as 犬も歩けば棒に当たる (いぬもあるけばぼうにあたる), a proverb that means "seek and you shall find" – but it can also imply "bad luck," depending on the context. Another common phrase is 犬猿の仲 (けんえんのなか), which describes a relationship of hatred between two people, comparing them to dogs and monkeys, animals that supposedly do not get along.

Additionally, 犬 is often used in breed names, such as Shiba Inu (柴犬, しばいぬ) and Akita Inu (秋田犬, あきたいぬ). If you are a fan of pop culture, you may have heard of Hachiko, the loyal dog (忠犬ハチ公, ちゅうけんハチこう), whose statue in Shibuya is a tourist attraction. This true story of a dog that waited for years for its deceased owner shows how much the Japanese value canine loyalty.

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to the kanji 犬 is to associate it with the radical 大 (big) with an extra stroke. Imagine a "big" (大) that got a collar – there you have a dog! Another technique is to visualize the extra stroke as the animal's tail. If you already know the kanji 太 (ふとい, fat), you can make a comparison: 犬 is like 太, but without the "belly." Playing with these similarities helps to cement the character in memory.

Did you know that in Japan, dogs "speak" differently? While in Brazil we say "au au," the Japanese represent the barking as ワンワン (wan-wan). This sound even appears in mangas and animes, showing how the language is full of fun onomatopoeias. And if you want to impress a friend, say that 犬 can also be read as "ken" in compounds, such as in 番犬 (ばんけん, banken), which means "guard dog."

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 犬 (いぬ) - Puppy
• ワンちゃん (わんちゃん) - Affectionate term for dog
• 犬種 (けんしゅ) - Dog breed
• 犬好き (いぬずき) - Dog lover
• 犬派 (いぬは) - Preference for dogs
• 犬飼い (いぬかい) - Person who owns a dog
• 犬舎 (けんしゃ) - Canil
• 犬小屋 (いぬごや) - Doghouse
• 犬の散歩 (いぬのさんぽ) - Dog walk
• 犬との生活 (いぬとのせいかつ) - Life with the dog
• 犬との暮らし (いぬとのくらし) - Coexistence with the dog
• 犬との時間 (いぬとのじかん) - Time with the dog