Dog-related Chinese Idioms (Chengyu) and Meanings

By Sujanti Djuanda – LingoLearn Chinese Teacher

Chinese culture is different with western. For example, in western, dog is related with good things but in China, since ancient times they are always related with bad things. Therefore, dogs are usually used to express bad things, such as a derogatory and pejorative sense in Chinese idioms.

Here you will learn some dog-related Chinese idioms:

1. 猪朋狗友(zhūpénggǒuyǒu) dissolute companions

Example:

我(wǒ)觉得(juéde),你的(nǐde)朋友(péngyou)都(dōu)是(shì)猪朋狗友(zhūpénggǒuyǒu),好吃懒做(hàochīlǎnzuò)、不务正业(bùwùzhèngyè)。

2. 卖狗皮膏药(màigǒupígāoyao) sell sham goods

Example:

别(bié)相信(xiāngxìn)他(tā),我(wǒ)明知(míngzhī)他(tā)是(shì)卖狗皮膏药(màigǒupígāoyao)。他(tā)有些(yǒuxiē)话(huà)虽然(suīrán)动听(dòngtīng),但(dàn)都(dōu)是(shì)假话(jiǎhuà)。

3. 指鸡骂狗(zhǐjīmàgǒu) fig. to point at the chicken while scolding the dog (idiom) / lit. to find a scapegoat

Example:

他的(tāde)手机(shǒujī)不见(bùjiàn)了(le),不是(bùshì)我(wǒ)拿(ná)的(de),但(dàn)他(tā)指鸡骂狗(zhǐjīmàgǒu)地(de)骂(mà)了(le)我(wǒ)半天(bàntiān)。

4. 偷鸡摸狗(tōujīmōgǒu) to imitate the dog and steal chicken (idiom); to dally with women, to have affairs

Example:

人家(rénjia)都(dōu)有(yǒu)丈夫(zhàngfu)了(le),他(tā)为什么(wèishénme)要(yào)偷鸡摸狗(tōujīmōgǒu)?

5. 狗眼看人低(gǒuyǎnkànréndī) act like a snob

Example:

别(bié)狗眼看人低(gǒuyǎnkànréndī),你(nǐ)狗眼看人低(gǒuyǎnkànréndī)有(yǒu)什么(shénme)了不起(liǎobuqǐ)?

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