chinese shar-pei: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
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Quick answer
What does “chinese shar-pei” mean?
A breed of dog originating from China, characterized by deep wrinkles and a blue-black tongue.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A breed of dog originating from China, characterized by deep wrinkles and a blue-black tongue.
Refers specifically to the wrinkled, medium-sized dog breed known for its distinctive 'hippopotamus' head shape and loyal temperament.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling consistent. Pronunciation differs slightly. Breed is equally recognized in both varieties of English.
Connotations
Same connotations of uniqueness, loyalty, and distinct appearance.
Frequency
Low frequency in both dialects, used primarily in dog breeding, veterinary, and pet ownership contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “chinese shar-pei” in a Sentence
The [owner] has a Chinese Shar-Pei.The Chinese Shar-Pei [verb: barked, wrinkled, slept].A [adjective: wrinkled, loyal] Chinese Shar-Pei.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chinese shar-pei” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She has a classic Chinese Shar-Pei look.
- The breed standard is very Chinese Shar-Pei.
American English
- That's a very Chinese Shar-Pei expression.
- He follows the Chinese Shar-Pei guidelines.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; may appear in pet industry marketing or breeding contracts.
Academic
Used in veterinary science, canine genetics, and breed history studies.
Everyday
Used in conversations about pets, dog breeds, and animal care.
Technical
Used in kennel club standards, veterinary diagnostics, and canine dermatology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “chinese shar-pei”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “chinese shar-pei”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chinese shar-pei”
- Incorrect: 'chinese sharpei' (no hyphen, incorrect capitalization).
- Incorrect: 'Shar Pei' (missing hyphen).
- Incorrect use as a common noun: 'a shar-pei' should be 'a Shar-Pei'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The correct, standard form is 'Shar-Pei' with a hyphen, as recognized by major kennel clubs.
It is commonly said to mean 'sand skin' (砂皮), referring to the rough texture of the coat.
They can be loyal and protective family dogs, but their independent and sometimes aloof nature requires experienced handling and early socialization.
The extensive wrinkles were a breed characteristic developed historically, but modern breeding has sometimes exaggerated this feature. Puppies are very wrinkled, and some wrinkles smooth out as they mature.
A breed of dog originating from China, characterized by deep wrinkles and a blue-black tongue.
Chinese shar-pei is usually neutral in register.
Chinese shar-pei: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtʃaɪˌniːz ʃɑː ˈpeɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtʃaɪˌniz ˌʃɑr ˈpeɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As wrinkled as a Shar-Pei”
- “Shar-Pei loyalty”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CHINESE SHAR-PEI = China's SHARply Wrinkled PIE-dough skin.
Conceptual Metaphor
WRINKLES ARE FOLDS OF HISTORY (due to ancient breed origin).
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining characteristic of a Chinese Shar-Pei?