Mnemonic
A big drop of drool dangles from the jowls of a huge dog. The bigger the dog, the bigger the drop—this slobbery beast leaves a trail of drool puddles everywhere it goes, shaking its massive head and flinging drops across the room.
Additional thoughts
Picture a giant Saint Bernard with a single massive drool drop swinging from its lip. Big + Drop = Dog. The drop is what distinguishes this kanji from 大 (Big) alone—just one extra dot of drool.Quick recall
A big drop of drool swings from a giant dog's jowls.Details
The keyword for 犬 is dog. This kanji represents a dog, one of the most common domesticated animals and a longtime companion to humans. It is used broadly to refer to dogs in general, encompassing all breeds and types. In some contexts, it can also carry a figurative meaning of a spy or someone who serves as a lackey.
- On'yomi
- けん
- Kun'yomi
- いぬ、いぬ-