Chinese word

狗

Pronunciation

Pinyingǒu

Meaning

  • noundog

Example

我家有一只狗。wǒ jiā yǒu yì zhī gǒu

My family has a dog.

Illustration for 狗 (dog)

More examples

他每天带狗去公园散步。tā měi tiān dài gǒu qù gōng yuán sàn bù

Every day, he takes his dog to the park for a walk.

Core concept

A four-legged animal with keen senses that lives with people and can guard, herd, or keep them company.

Common phrases

  • 一只狗yì zhī gǒu

    a dog

  • 小狗xiáo gǒu

    puppy

  • 养狗yǎng gǒu

    keep a dog

Similar words

猫māo: A commonly kept household animal with soft fur that often enjoys being stroked.
宠物chǒng wù: An animal kept and cared for at home as a companion.
小狗xiáo gǒu: A young dog that has not yet reached full size.
动物dòng wù: A living creature such as a fish, bird, insect, or other nonhuman life-form.

Definition in Chinese

一种嗅觉和听觉敏锐的四足动物，人类常饲养其作为宠物、牧羊或警卫。yì zhǒng xiù jué hé tīng jué mǐn ruì de sì zú dòng wù rén lèi cháng sì yǎng qí zuò wéi chǒng wù mù yáng huò jǐng wèi

Word origin

The character 狗 (gǒu, "dog") combines 犭 (quǎn, "animal sign") + 句 (jù, "sound part"), linking the animal meaning with a clue to the pronunciation.

Usage tips

  • The word names an animal, but calling a person by it usually sounds rude rather than warm.

Related words

  • 狗窝gǒu wōdoghousenoun
  • 狗粮gǒu liángdog foodnoun
  • 狗狗góu gǒudoggynoun

Word lists with this word