“Dog” in Japanese is 犬 (いぬ), pronounced inu.
Pronunciation
The word has 2 beats (morae), each about the same length. Tap a syllable to hear it, or play the whole word:
How to use it
The standard word for dog. Japanese dogs “say” わんわん, and the loyal dog Hachikō has a famous statue at Shibuya Station.
Example sentences
- 犬を飼っています。いぬをかっています。I have a dog.
- この犬はとても大きいです。このいぬはとてもおおきいです。This dog is very big.
Related forms
| Meaning | Japanese | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| puppy | 子犬 | こいぬ koinu |
Quick practice
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Related words: Animals
FAQ
How do you say dog in Japanese?
Dog in Japanese is 犬 (いぬ), pronounced “inu”.
How do you write dog in Japanese?
It's written 犬 with kanji, or いぬ in hiragana. Both are read inu.
Is 犬 on the JLPT?
Yes. 犬 (inu) is a common word at JLPT N5 level, so it's worth learning early.