近几年，汉语中的狗文化好像变了

狗年春节就要到了，拜年的吉祥话都想好了吗？你可能会发现，今年很难像往年一样发送生肖主题的祝福语，因为在中国文化里，和狗相关的词汇通常都带有贬义。过去，提到狗我们首先想到的就是“落水狗”、“看门狗”、“丧家犬”等。不过，近年来随着“单身汪”、“加班狗”等词语的流行，狗在汉语中的文化内涵也有所变化。

#Self-mocker

自嘲

Words and phrases containing dogs (Gou in Chinese) are commonly used by young people when cracking jokes about themselves.

年轻人经常拿含有狗的字词来自嘲。

For example, in Mandarin, you can say "Valentine's Day has nothing to do with me since I am a single dog."

例如，在普通话中，你可以说“情人节与我无关，因为我是一只‘单身汪’。”

"Overtime dog" is another title frequently referred to those who work long hours.

“加班狗”一般是对长时间工作的人的另一种称呼。

It is believed that words and phrases like these containing humor and self-deprecation ease the stigma attached to dog-related words.

人们认为，这类幽默自嘲式的词语让与狗相关的词汇得以“洗掉污名”。

#Representation of close relationship

表示亲密关系

Adding "dog" to a friend's name can also be considered as a proof of a close relationship.

在朋友的名字后加“狗”字，也可以看作是关系亲密的证明。

One of the most prominent examples in China is that of the actor Lin Gengxin, who is called Lin Gou - Chinese for Lin Dog - by his celebrity friends and beloved fans.

国内最有名的例子就是演员林更新，他被自己的明星友人和亲爱的粉丝称为“林狗”。

#Easy to raise

#好养活

Children with amiable names are easy to bring up, according to an ancient Chinese proverb.

中国古代有句俗语，叫“贱名好养活”。

Parents in rural areas prefer to give nicknames including Gou Sheng and Gou Dan to their children in the hope that they are as easy to be fostered as dogs.

农村地区的父母乐于给孩子取个小名，比如“狗剩”、“狗蛋”等，希望他们像狗一样容易养大。

#Metaphor

#隐喻

Since dogs are considered to be loyal and diligent, the word is included in more than 10 Chinese metaphors.

狗被视为忠诚、勤奋的象征，汉语中以狗喻人的词语有10多个。

For instance, "serve like a dog or a horse," is used to describe someone who is ready to render his humble services to the authorities.

例如，“犬马之劳”，是用来形容一个人摆出谦卑姿态准备受人差遣。

"Dogs don't bark to their owners" is an idiom usually adopted to represent the loyalty of ministers to their monarchs.

“狗吠非主”这个成语通常用来表示臣子对君主的忠诚。