[[Characters]] #Characters \ #Natural-World \ #Animals # 狗 gǒu dog ## Components [[犭 (quǎn)]] [[句 jù]] ## Meaning These are the primary uses of the character "狗 gǒu" nowadays: 1. **Dog**: It refers specifically to dogs, which are domesticated animals and common pets. 2. **Metaphorically**: In some contexts, "狗" can be used derogatorily to describe someone perceived as untrustworthy or servile. 3. **Expressions and Idioms**: It appears in various phrases and idioms, reflecting different cultural meanings, such as "狗急跳墙," meaning "a cornered dog will jump over the wall," indicating that desperate situations can lead to unexpected actions. Overall, "狗" is most commonly associated with the animal itself, while also carrying some figurative meanings in different contexts. ## History The character "狗" is a phonetic-semantic compound. The radical "犬" (犭) represents a dog, while "句" (gòu) serves as the phonetic component. "狗" specifically refers to a domesticated animal, commonly known as a dog. Dogs are recognized for their keen sense of smell and alert nature. For example, the phrase "一窝狼狗" refers to a pack of wolves or aggressive dogs, highlighting their instinctive traits. ## Evolution ### Oracular Script ? ### Bronze Script ? ### Seal Script ![[狗 sello.svg]] ### Clerical Script ![[狗 cle.svg]] ### Regular Script ![[狗 reg.svg]]