강아지
gangaji
puppy
강아지가 매우 귀엽다.
The puppy is very cute.
informal
A young dog, typically under one year old.
새로운 강아지를 키우기 시작했다.
I started raising a new puppy.
The term is commonly used for dogs under one year of age, but can sometimes refer to small dogs regardless of age.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Gender Neutral
'강아지' is gender-neutral and can refer to both male and female puppies.
Word Origin
Derived from '강' (strong) and '아지' (suffix indicating smallness or youth), originally meaning a small, strong animal.
Usage Notes
While '강아지' specifically refers to young dogs, the term '개' can refer to dogs of any age. In casual speech, '강아지' is often used affectionately for small dogs regardless of age.
Word Breakdown
강
strong
root아지
small or young
suffix한영사전