子犬
Meanings
1
A young dog, typically under one year old. The most common meaning.
A puppy is playing in the garden.
She started keeping a puppy.
2
small dog
A dog of small breed or size, not necessarily young. Less common than the 'puppy' sense.
That small dog is already an adult, but it's very tiny.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が子犬を飼うfor someone to keep/raise a puppy
I've been keeping a puppy since last year.
- 子犬が生まれるfor puppies to be born
Last week, our dog had puppies.
- 子犬を拾うto pick up/find a stray puppy
I found an abandoned puppy in the park.
- 子犬のように〈動詞〉to (do something) like a puppy, e.g. playfully or energetically
She ran up to me like an excited puppy.