Readings: ケン (Onyomi), いぬ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: dog
The kanji 犬 is a pictograph that vividly depicts a dog. Its ancient forms show a clear resemblance to a canine with a distinct body, legs, and tail, simplifying over time to its current appearance.
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 犬 is written with 4 strokes. The first stroke is the long diagonal stroke from top left to bottom right. The second is the shorter horizontal stroke intersecting the first. The third is the short diagonal stroke at the top right. The final stroke is the hook on the left side, representing the dog’s leg/tail.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 犬 (いぬへん) |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 4 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | 1 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- ケン (Ken)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- いぬ (inu)
Common Words Using 犬
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 番犬 | ばんけん | watchdog |
| 狂犬 | きょうけん | mad dog |
| 猟犬 | りょうけん | hunting dog |
| 愛犬 | あいけん | pet dog |
| 猛犬 | もうけん | fierce dog |
| 犬歯 | けんし | canine tooth |
| 盲導犬 | もうどうけん | guide dog |
| 忠犬 | ちゅうけん | loyal dog |
| 軍用犬 | ぐんようけん | military dog |
| 犬舎 | けんしゃ | kennel |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 犬 | いぬ | dog |
| 子犬 | こいぬ | puppy |
| 犬小屋 | いぬごや | doghouse |
| 犬猫 | いぬねこ | dogs and cats |
| 野犬 | やけん | wild dog |
| 老犬 | ろうけん | old dog |
| 柴犬 | しばいぬ | Shiba Inu |
| 秋田犬 | あきたいぬ | Akita dog |
| 犬笛 | いぬぶえ | dog whistle |
| 犬かき | いぬかき | dog paddle |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼女は犬を飼っています。
Kana: かのじょはいぬをかっています。
Romaji: Kanojo wa inu o katteimasu.
English: She owns a dog.
Japanese: 公園で犬と散歩しました。
Kana: こうえんでいぬとさんぽしました。
Romaji: Kōen de inu to sanpo shimashita.
English: I walked with my dog in the park.
Japanese: その犬はとても賢いです。
Kana: そのいぬはとてもかしこいです。
Romaji: Sono inu wa totemo kashikoi desu.
English: That dog is very smart.
Japanese: 小さな子犬がいます。
Kana: ちいさなこいぬがいます。
Romaji: Chiisana koinu ga imasu.
English: There is a small puppy.
Japanese: 犬小屋は庭にあります。
Kana: いぬごやはにわにあります。
Romaji: Inugoya wa niwa ni arimasu.
English: The doghouse is in the garden.
Japanese: 犬がワンワン鳴いています。
Kana: いぬがワンワンないています。
Romaji: Inu ga wanwan naiteimasu.
English: The dog is barking “woof woof”.
Japanese: 私の犬は茶色です。
Kana: わたしのいぬはちゃいろです。
Romaji: Watashi no inu wa chairo desu.
English: My dog is brown.
Japanese: 犬は人間の親友です。
Kana: いぬはにんげんのしんゆうです。
Romaji: Inu wa ningen no shinyū desu.
English: Dogs are human’s best friends.
Japanese: 盲導犬は目の不自由な人を助けます。
Kana: もうどうけんはめのふじゆうなひとをたすけます。
Romaji: Mōdōken wa me no fujiyū na hito o tasukemasu.
English: Guide dogs help visually impaired people.
Japanese: 彼は犬好きで有名だ。
Kana: かれはいぬずきでゆうめいだ。
Romaji: Kare wa inuzuki de yūmei da.
English: He is famous for being a dog lover.
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