忠犬(ちゅうけん)

ちゅうけん
noun
faithful dog; loyal dog
animal-generalculture
1. faithful dog; loyal dog
A dog that shows unwavering loyalty to its owner. The word is strongly associated with the famous story of Hachikō, the Akita dog who waited at Shibuya Station for his deceased owner for years.
忠犬(ちゅうけん)ハチ公(こう)の像(ぞう)は渋谷(しぶや)にある。
The statue of Hachikō, the faithful dog, is in Shibuya.
あの犬(いぬ)はまさに忠犬(ちゅうけん)だ。
That dog is truly a loyal dog.
忠犬(ちゅうけん)ハチ公(こう)の物語(ものがたり)は海外(かいがい)でも映画(えいが)になって知(し)られている。
The story of Hachikō the loyal dog is known overseas as well, having been made into a movie.

Composed of 忠(ちゅう) (loyalty, faithfulness) + 犬(けん) (dog). Almost inseparable from the story of 忠犬(ちゅうけん)ハチ公(こう) (Hachikō), the Akita dog who continued to wait at Shibuya Station every day for his owner, Professor Ueno, even after the professor died in 1925. A bronze statue of Hachikō at Shibuya Station is one of Tokyo's most famous meeting spots.

Common collocations

  • 忠犬(ちゅうけん)ハチ公(こう): Hachikō, the loyal dog
  • 忠犬(ちゅうけん)ハチ公(こう)の像(ぞう): statue of Hachikō
  • 忠犬(ちゅうけん)ハチ公(こう)前(まえ): in front of the Hachikō statue (common meeting spot)

Cultural note

The Hachikō story is one of Japan's most beloved tales of animal loyalty and is taught in schools. The phrase 忠犬(ちゅうけん) is sometimes used figuratively to describe a person who is extremely loyal or devoted.

Related Words

Compare: 番犬(ばんけん) (guard dog)
general
Added 2026.4.7 2:27 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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