汉字趣谈

• 来源期刊: 今日中国：英文版
• 学科: 文学
• 关键词: 汉字 “夕” 文化内涵 “多” “外”
• 年，卷（期）: 2003,（8）
• 页码范围: 78-79
• 页数: 2页
• 分类号: H12

摘要

<正> The original character for“犬”quan(dog)is“(?),”a side view of a dogwith its tail sticking up.“犬”refers to a big dog in ancient China,but laterbecame synonymous with“狗”gou(dog).In former times manyexpressions of modesty contained“犬”,such as“犬子”quanzi(my son)and“犬妇”quanfu(my daughter-in—law).Courtiers referred to themselves as“犬马”quanma(dog and horse),and pledged to offer“犬马之劳”quanmazhilao(literally,labor like a dog and horse)for the emperor.“犬”appears insuch words as“犬齿”quanchi(canine tooth)and“犬牙交错”quanyajiaocuo(jagged).