Definitions

quǎn (noun) dog

Etymology

Pictograph of a dog.

About

The character "犬" finds its origin in a pictographic depiction of a dog, with its form gradually stylizing over centuries into the simpler configuration recognized today. Its structure functions as a standalone character and also operates as a semantic component in many others, often conveying notions associated with canines or bestial attributes. The core meaning of "dog" has remained constant throughout its history, yet its lexical role has shifted from being the predominant term in classical texts to assuming a more formal or compositional position in modern language, frequently appearing in compound words or technical contexts, while the colloquial counterpart "狗" has become the default for general use.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我有一只宠物

Wǒ yǒu yī zhǐ chǒngwù quǎn.

I have a pet dog.

这只很可爱。

Zhè zhǐ quǎn hěn kě'ài.

This dog is very cute.

那只在院子里玩耍。

Nà zhǐ quǎn zài yuànzi lǐ wánshuǎ.

That dog is playing in the yard.

非常勇敢。

Jǐngquǎn fēicháng yǒnggǎn.

Police dogs are very brave.

我喜欢和一起散步。

Wǒ xǐhuān hé quǎn yīqǐ sànbù.

I like to take walks with dogs.

这只导盲帮助盲人。

Zhè zhǐ dǎomángquǎn bāngzhù mángrén.

This guide dog helps blind people.

虽然有时吵闹,但很忠诚。

Quǎn suīrán yǒushí chǎonào, dàn hěn zhōngchéng.

Although dogs can be noisy sometimes, they are very loyal.

训练有素的能执行多种任务。

Xùnliàn yǒu sù de quǎn néng zhíxíng duō zhǒng rènwù.

Well-trained dogs can perform various tasks.