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犬
On'yomi
ケン
KEN
Kun'yomi
いぬ・いぬ-
inu / inu
dog
Details
Stroke Order
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Strokes4
Cultural Context
Etymology
Pictograph depicting a dog.
Symbolism
Dog, loyalty, guard dog. '犬' symbolizes faithfulness.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Walking with a dog
Words & Expressions
Four-Character Compounds
犬猿の仲
けんえんのなか
Like cats and dogs; Being on very bad terms
Proverbs & Idioms
犬も歩けば棒に当たる
いぬもあるけばぼうにあたる
Even a dog will find a stick if it walks
Taking action leads to results, good or bad
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 犬 mean in Japanese?
犬 means dog.
How do you read 犬?
On'yomi: ケン (KEN). Kun'yomi: いぬ、いぬ- (inu, inu).
How many strokes does 犬 have?
犬 has 4 strokes. Its radical is 犬 (dog).
Is 犬 a good kanji for a tattoo?
Yes. 犬 (dog) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.