狗 stroke order 狗 chinese writing meaning 狗 chinese character tattoos

The Chinese Character: 狗 (gǒu)

1. Basic Meaning and Structure

  • Pronunciation: gǒu (sounds like "go" with a dipping-rising tone).

  • Character Meaning: Dog.

  • Character Components:

    • 犭(quǎn): The "beast" or "dog" radical on the left. This radical itself is derived from the character for dog, "犬" (quǎn).

    • 句 (jù/gōu): The component on the right, which primarily means "sentence" but here is used for its phonetic value, as it can also be an old form for "hook" or "curved."

The character is a classic example of a phonetic-semantic compound, where the radical gives the meaning (dog) and the component suggests the sound.

2. Deeper Cultural and Linguistic Significance

The symbolism of the dog in Chinese culture is deeply dualistic, encompassing both profound loyalty and strong negativity.

  • Positive Meanings: Loyalty and Protection

    • The dog is revered for its loyalty, faithfulness, and devotion to its owner. This is a very strong and positive association.

    • It is seen as a guardian that protects the home and family from harm and evil spirits. Stone lion-dogs (守护兽, shǒuhù shòu) often guard temples and important buildings.

    • In the Chinese Zodiac, the Dog is the 11th animal. People born under this sign are considered loyal, honest, responsible, and with a strong sense of justice.

  • Negative Meanings and Slang

    • This is a crucial aspect to understand. "狗" is frequently used in modern slang as a derogatory term.

    • It can be used to insult someone as being despicable, shameless, or a lackey (e.g., 走狗, zǒugǒu - "running dog," meaning a stooge or henchman).

    • It can describe something of poor quality or a hack (e.g., 狗屁, gǒupì - "dog's fart," meaning nonsense).

    • It can express a miserable situation (e.g., 累成狗, lèi chéng gǒu - "tired into a dog," meaning dog-tired).


狗的笔顺【Writing order】ノフノノフ丨フ一

"狗" as a Tattoo: Meanings and Interpretations

A "狗" tattoo is a bold choice whose meaning is 100% dependent on the wearer's personal context and intent. It can be a beautiful tribute or a provocative statement.

1. Core Symbolic Meanings (Positive)

  • Unwavering Loyalty: This is the most powerful and common positive reason. The tattoo can represent the wearer's own loyalty to their family, partner, friends, or a cause. It can also symbolize the loyal nature of a beloved pet.

  • Zodiac Identity: For those born in the Year of the Dog, it is a proud and direct symbol of their birth sign and its associated traits—loyalty, honesty, and a strong moral compass.

  • Protection and Guardianship: The tattoo can symbolize the wearer's role as a protector of their loved ones or a guardian of their own values and peace.

  • Resilience and Survival ("Underdog"): Embracing the negative slang in a positive, self-deprecating way, the tattoo can represent resilience. It can mean "I've been through hell ('dog-tired,' treated like a 'dog'), but I survived." It's an "underdog" story.

2. Personal Interpretations

  • A Tribute to a Pet: This is a very straightforward and heartfelt meaning. It's a way to permanently honor a beloved dog.

  • A Marker of a "Dog" Personality: Someone who identifies with the zodiac traits or sees themselves as a fiercely loyal person.

  • An Embrace of the "Underdog" Spirit: A symbol of overcoming adversity and thriving against the odds.

3. Aesthetic Appeal and Design

The character "狗" has a dynamic structure.

  • Energetic Form: The "beast" radical (犭) gives it a sense of movement and animalistic energy.

  • Design is Crucial: To steer the interpretation towards the positive, the design style is key.

    • Integrated Art: The most effective approach is to integrate the character with a stylized, positive image of a dog. This immediately anchors the meaning in the animal's loyal and protective qualities.

    • Calligraphic Style: A strong, clean, or traditional calligraphic style can lend it a more formal and respectful feel.

Extremely Important Considerations Before Getting the Tattoo

  1. The Negative Slang is Widespread: You must be fully aware that this character carries strong negative connotations in everyday modern speech. Without a clear, positive context (like a zodiac sign or a pet portrait), it could be misinterpreted.

  2. Context is Everything: This tattoo requires a story. Why did you choose "狗"? The answer must be clear to you, as you will likely need to explain it to others who are familiar with Chinese.

  3. Clarifying with Design: To avoid ambiguity, strongly consider designing the tattoo to make your intent unmistakable. Pairing it with a positive image or another character can help.

    • 忠狗 (zhōng gǒu): "Loyal Dog" - This makes the positive meaning explicit.

Summary of Tattoo Meanings:

  • Primary Meaning: Dog.

  • Positive Symbolic Meanings: Loyalty, Guardianship, Zodiac Identity, Resilience.

  • Negative Connotations: Can be used as a slang insult for someone despicable or something of poor quality.

  • Aesthetic Meaning: A dynamic and energetic character that benefits greatly from intentional design.

Conclusion:

A "狗" tattoo can be a powerful and deeply personal symbol of loyalty, protection, and resilience. However, it is a "high-risk, high-reward" choice due to its common use as a derogatory term. It is an excellent tattoo for someone born in the Year of the Dog, a dedicated dog lover paying tribute, or someone who strongly identifies with the "underdog" narrative, but it must be chosen and designed with a full understanding of its complex cultural weight.

狗字意思【meaning】

狗字基本字义解释【Basic meaning】

狗gǒu（ㄍㄡˇ）

⒈  哺乳动物，种类很多，听觉嗅觉都很敏锐，善于看守门户，有的可以训练成军犬、警犬：走狗。狗彘（狗和猪）。狗刨（páo ）（一种游泳动作）。狗盗（小偷）。狗腿子。狗仗人势。狗尾续貂（喻拿粗劣的东西接到美好的东西后面，很不相称，常指文章）。

狗的异体字【Variant】

  • 豿

狗字汉英互译【Chinese-English Translation】

dog、doggie、mut、mutt、pooch、purp

造字法【Character Creation】

形声：从犭、句声

狗的英文翻译【English Translation】

dog, canis familiaris

狗字组词【Word Grouping】

狗幦;遛狗;瘈狗;狗养的;狗窦;狗鱼;国狗;黑狗脊;玉狗;狗獾;狗尸;狗窃;狗宝;鹰背狗;狗奴;

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