負け犬 Loser

Meaning

Primary

Loser

Word Type

noun

Explanation

You've hopefully come across 負ける by now, which means "to lose." So, you can figure out this word means "losing dog." Well, calling someone a dog isn't so nice, so you're probably just calling them a loser.

Reading

まけいぬ

Explanation

The readings are kun'yomi, but you should be familiar with 負ける and of course 犬 well enough to learn the reading here.

Context

Common Word Combinations

• 負け犬に〜

  負け犬になる

  to become a loser

  負け犬に見える

  to look like a loser

  負け犬に成り下がる

  to be reduced to a loser

• 負け犬の〜

  負け犬のあかし

  sign of a loser, evidence of a loser

  負け犬のレッテル

  mark of a loser

  負け犬の言う事

  what the loser says

Context Sentences

私はあなたのことを負け犬だとは思わないよ。

I don't think you're a loser.

こんな生活をしてたら、ずっと人生の負け犬だよ。

If I am living like this, I'll just continue to be a loser in life.

負け犬と呼ばれるのは、もう嫌なんだよ。

I don't want to be called a loser anymore.

Kanji Composition

1. 負

   ふ Lose
2. 犬

   いぬ Dog