犬

JLPT N4

Dog

Readings

On’yomi: ケン (ken)

Kun’yomi: いぬ (inu)

• いぬ – dog

Structure

Radical: Purchase the course for full access of this content.

Composition: Purchase the course for full access of this content.

Detailed Explanation

Purchase the course for full access of this content.

Mnemonic

Purchase the course for full access of this content.

Etymology

Purchase the course for full access of this content.

Visual Tip

Purchase the course for full access of this content.

Vocabulary

犬

いぬ

dog

子犬

こいぬ

puppy

番犬

ばんけん

guard dog

野犬

やけん

stray dog

犬小屋

いぬごや

doghouse

Example Sentences

犬が走ります。

いぬがはしります。

The dog runs.

子犬がかわいいです。

こいぬがかわいいです。

The puppy is cute.

番犬がいます。

ばんけんがいます。

There is a guard dog.

野犬に注意します。

やけんにちゅういします。

Beware of stray dogs.

犬小屋を作ります。

いぬごやをつくります。

I build a doghouse.

Cultural Note

🐕 犬 has long held significance in Japanese culture:
• Dogs symbolize loyalty, protection, and companionship.
• Historically used as hunting dogs, guardians, and pets.
• Famous in folklore: 忠犬ハチ公 (Hachikō, the loyal dog) represents loyalty and fidelity.
• Idioms like 犬猿の仲 highlight social observations using dogs as metaphors.