pei: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialist/Informal
Quick answer
What does “pei” mean?
A breed of dog, specifically the Chinese Shar-Pei, characterized by deep wrinkles and a blue-black tongue.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A breed of dog, specifically the Chinese Shar-Pei, characterized by deep wrinkles and a blue-black tongue.
Refers exclusively to the Shar-Pei breed; sometimes used informally as shorthand for this specific dog type.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The breed name is standardized internationally.
Connotations
Connotes a specific, distinctive dog breed known for its unique appearance.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to contexts discussing dog breeds.
Grammar
How to Use “pei” in a Sentence
[determiner] + peithe + Shar-PeiVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in pet industry marketing or breeding documentation.
Academic
Rare. Could appear in veterinary science or zoology texts discussing breed genetics.
Everyday
Used informally among dog owners and enthusiasts.
Technical
Used in kennel club registries, breed standards, and veterinary contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “pei”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pei”
- Using 'pei' as a common noun (e.g., 'I saw a pei' instead of 'I saw a Shar-Pei').
- Misspelling as 'pay', 'pie', or 'pae'.
- Incorrect pluralization as 'peis'; the standard is 'Shar-Peis' or simply 'Shar-Pei' (invariant).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is informal and potentially unclear. 'Shar-Pei' is the standard, full name. Using just 'Pei' is best reserved for contexts where the breed has already been established in the conversation.
It is a loanword from Cantonese (沙皮, sā pèih), incorporated into English as part of the compound noun 'Shar-Pei'. It is not used independently with its own meaning in general English.
It is pronounced like the word 'pay' (/peɪ/). The 'Shar-' part is pronounced like 'shar' in 'share' in American English, and like 'shah' in British English.
The plural can be 'Shar-Peis' or, more commonly, the word is treated as invariant (e.g., 'three Shar-Pei'). 'Peis' by itself is not standard.
A breed of dog, specifically the Chinese Shar-Pei, characterized by deep wrinkles and a blue-black tongue.
Pei is usually specialist/informal in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'PAY' attention to the wrinkles – a Shar-PEI has lots of them.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Proper noun for a specific entity).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'pei' refer to in modern English?