番犬(ばんけん)

ばんけん
noun
guard dog; watchdog
1. guard dog; watchdog
A dog kept to guard property by barking at or deterring intruders. Also used figuratively for a person or organization that monitors and guards against wrongdoing.
番犬(ばんけん)が吠(ほ)えている。
The guard dog is barking.
隣(となり)の家(いえ)は大(おお)きな番犬(ばんけん)を飼(か)っている。
The house next door keeps a large guard dog.
メディアは権力(けんりょく)の番犬(ばんけん)としての役割(やくわり)を果(は)たすべきだ。
The media should fulfill its role as a watchdog of power.

Composed of 番(ばん) (watch/guard duty) and 犬(けん) (dog). Used both literally for dogs that guard homes and figuratively for entities that monitor and check authority.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 番犬(ばんけん)を飼(か)う: to keep a guard dog
  • 番犬(ばんけん)が吠(ほ)える: the guard dog barks
  • 権力(けんりょく)の番犬(ばんけん): watchdog of power
  • 番犬(ばんけん)代(が)わり: serving as a guard dog / in place of a guard dog

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 忠犬(ちゅうけん): faithful dog — emphasizes loyalty rather than guarding
  • 猟犬(りょうけん): hunting dog — a dog used for hunting, not guarding
  • 警察犬(けいさつけん): police dog — a trained dog used by law enforcement
  • 飼(か)い犬(いぬ): pet dog — any domesticated dog, not specifically for guarding

FIGURATIVE USE:
The figurative "watchdog" meaning is common in journalism and political discourse, similar to English usage. 番犬(ばんけん)ジャーナリズム (watchdog journalism) is a recognized concept.

general
Added 2026.4.6 5:11
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