How to Say Dog in Different Languages – I’ve always been fascinated by how a simple word like “dog” changes across the world. If you’re a pet lover or someone curious about languages, you’re in the right place! Today, I’ll take you on a quick journey to discover how people say “dog” in different languages.
From French to Japanese, these little variations are not just fun they show how connected we all are through our furry friends. Stick with me, and by the end, you’ll impress your friends with your multilingual dog vocabulary!
Quick Reference Table
| Language | Word for Dog | Pronunciation (approx.) | Cultural/Linguistic Note |
| English | Dog | dawg | From Old English “docga” a late, mysterious word that replaced the older “hound” |
| French | Chien | shee-en | Descends from Latin “canis” same root as “canine” |
| Spanish | Perro | PEH-rro | Possibly onomatopoeic (like a growl); “chucho” and “firulais” are affectionate slang |
| Italian | Cane | KAH-neh | Same Latin root as French; “cagnolino” = little dog (extra cute) |
| German | Hund | hoont | Ancient Germanic root; “Welpe” = puppy (sounds like “whelp”) |
| Portuguese | Cão | kown | European cousin of French/Italian; in Brazil, “cachorro” is more common |
| Dutch | Hond | hont | Almost identical to German; “puppy” = “pup” |
| Swedish | Hund | hoond | Nordic cousin of English/German; “valp” = puppy |
| Russian | Собака (sobaka) | suh-BAH-ka | Not Indo-European unique Slavic root; “пёс” (pyos) is more casual/colloquial |
| Polish | Pies | pyess | “Pies” also means “dog” in the sense of a male dog; “suka” = female (watch out also a swear word!) |
| Greek | Σκύλος (skylos) | SKEE-los | Ancient Greek word; street dogs in Greece are famously cared for by entire neighborhoods |
| Turkish | Köpek | kur-PEHK | Central Asian root; Atatürk reportedly loved his dog “Fox” so much he made its name famous |
| Arabic | كلب (kalb) | kalb | Same Semitic root as Hebrew; saying someone has a “cold snout” means they’re lucky |
| Hebrew | כלב (kelev) | KEH-lev | Almost identical to Arabic; “kelev yarok” = green dog = rookie (military slang) |
| Mandarin Chinese | 狗 (gǒu) | go (falling tone) | Often seen as plain; “小狗” (xiǎo gǒu) = puppy is much more affectionate |
| Cantonese | 狗 (gau) | gau | Same character; “diu lei lo mo gau” = literally “your mom’s dog” (playful insult) |
| Japanese | 犬 (inu) | ee-noo | Formal word; “wan-chan” or “koinu” are baby-talk versions |
| Korean | 개 (gae) | gae | Simple and direct; “meongmeong-i” = woof-woof (cuter way to refer to a dog) |
| Hindi | कुत्ता (kuttā) | KOOT-taa | From Sanskrit; street dogs are called “kutta” with a mix of affection and resignation |
| Bengali | কুকুর (kukur) | KOO-koor | Same Indo Aryan root as Hindi |
| Thai | หมา (mǎa) | maa (falling tone) | Very direct; “หมาน้อย” (mǎa nóy) = little dog is far more loving |
| Vietnamese | Chó | choh | Mon-Khmer language family – completely different root from neighbors |
| Swahili | Mbwa | mm-BWAH | Bantu language; dogs traditionally guard homes, not pets in many rural areas |
| Zulu | Inja | IN-ja | The “nj” is a click-like sound; dogs are respected working animals |
| Yoruba | Ajá | ah-JAH | “Ajá” also means “market” – coincidence, but fun! |
| Amharic (Ethiopia) | Wusha | WOO-sha | Unique Afro-Asiatic; stray dogs are common in Addis Ababa |
| Māori (New Zealand) | Kurī | KOO-ree | The now-extinct Māori dog was a distinct breed brought by Polynesian voyagers |
| Hawaiian | ‘Īlio | EE-lee-oh | Polynesian root; dogs were both food and companions in ancient Hawai’i |
| Samoan | Maile | MY-leh | Also the name of a fragrant plant – double meaning! |
| Cherokee | Gitli | GEE-tlee | Cherokee dogs were small, fox-like; used for hunting |
| Navajo | Łééchąąʼí | łay-chaah’-ee | The ł is a lateral fricative – sounds almost like a soft bark! |
| Inuit (Inuktitut) | Qimmiq | KIM-mik | Crucial sled dogs; the word reflects their life-saving role |
| Icelandic | Hundur | HOON-dur | Purest living Germanic language very close to Old Norse |
| Finnish | Koira | KOY-rah | Uralic language – no relation to Indo-European neighbors; sounds almost like “choir” |
| Hungarian | Kutya | KOOT-yah | Another Uralic outlier; “kutyám” = my doggie (very affectionate) |
European Languages
In Europe, two big families dominate: the Latin-based Romance languages (French chien, Spanish perro, Italian cane) and the Germanic branch (English dog, German Hund, Dutch hond).
Yet even close neighbors can surprise us. The English word “dog” appeared mysteriously around the 13th century and kicked out the older word “hound” for everyday use linguists still argue about where it came from.
Meanwhile, in Spain you might hear someone call their pet “Firulais” a nonsense name that became generic, like calling every dog “Spot.”
Asian Languages
Asia is a continent of extremes. In Mandarin, 狗 (gǒu) can sound harsh, so people soften it with xiǎo gǒu (little dog) or even wāwā (baby-talk for puppy).
Japanese uses the formal 犬 (inu) in writing but “wan-chan” in real life pure toddler-speak that melts hearts. In Korea, 개 (gae) is blunt, but add the honorific and it becomes 개님 (gae-nim) literally “Sir Dog” a meme that shows how much Koreans now adore their pets.
African Languages
Across Africa’s thousands of languages, dogs are rarely just pets. In Swahili-speaking East Africa, mbwa guard homes and livestock.
In Zulu and Xhosa, inja is a working partner. Among the Yoruba of Nigeria, ajá isn’t just a dog spiritual beliefs say certain dogs can detect witches. Dogs often live on the edge between practical tool and mystical creature.
Indigenous & Island Cultures
The Māori brought the kurī with them on epic voyages across the Pacific a fluffy, fox-like dog that sadly went extinct after European contact.
In Hawaii, the native ‘īlio was both companion and, in hard times, food a reminder that the line between pet and livestock has not always existed. Inuit qimmiq were literally the difference between life and death in the Arctic; their names are still spoken with reverence.How to Say Dog in Different Languages
Deeper Cultural Insights & History
The very first domesticated wolves became “dogs” at least 15,000 years ago, maybe much earlier. The oldest known word might be Sumerian “ur-gi” (circa 3000 BCE).
Ancient Egyptians called them “iwiw” literally the sound they make. In Norse mythology, the monstrous wolf Fenrir reminds us that “dog” and “monster” once lived close together in the human imagination.How to Say Dog in Different Languages
Famous Proverbs About Dogs Around the World
- English: “Every dog has its day.”
- Spanish: “Perro que ladra no muerde.” (A barking dog doesn’t bite.)
- French: “Chien qui aboie ne mord pas.” (Same idea literally word-for-word!)
- Arabic: “الكلب عدو الغنم والغنم لا يعرف” (The dog is the enemy of sheep, and sheep don’t know it.)
- Japanese: “犬も歩けば棒に当たる” (Even a dog that walks will hit a stick – equivalent to “bad things happen if you take risks.”)
- Korean: “개구리 올챙이 적 생각 못한다” (A frog forgets its tadpole days – like “a dog doesn’t remember being a puppy.”)
- Yoruba: “Ajá tí yóò sọnù, kò gbọ́ f’ífẹ́ ẹ̀yẹ” (A dog destined to get lost won’t listen to the hunter’s whistle.)How to Say Dog in Different Languages
FAQs:
Why do so many languages have similar-sounding words like “canis,” “chien,” “cane,” “hound”?
Because they all descend from the Proto-Indo-European root *ḱwón (pronounced roughly “kwon”). Over 6,000 years, that one ancient word spread from the Eurasian steppe to half the planet.
What’s the oldest known word for dog?
Probably the Sumerian “ur-gi” from 3400 BCE, or the even older Proto-Indo-European reconstruction *ḱwón.
Why do some cultures avoid saying the word directly?How to Say Dog in Different Languages
Final Woof
From the Arctic qimmiq pulling sleds under the northern lights to the tiny chihuahuas tucked into designer bags in Paris, every culture has found its own voice to say “I love you” to a creature that loved us first.
Now I want to hear from YOU. What do you call your dog in your language? Do you have a special nickname that only your family understands? Drop it in the comments – let’s build the biggest, happiest, tail-wagging dictionary the internet has ever seen.
Luna-Gracelyn, the creative mind behind Lingoow.com, writes with passion and clarity.
As a professional author, she simplifies complex topics for readers worldwide.
Her work inspires, educates, and connects people through powerful, easy-to-understand content.
