shar pei: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowSpecialist/General
Quick answer
What does “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.
Sometimes used metaphorically to describe something deeply wrinkled or folded, though this is not common.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. The term is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral breed reference in both regions.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, appearing mainly in dog-related contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “shar pei” in a Sentence
The shar pei is...We own a shar pei.A shar pei's wrinkles...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shar pei” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The shar-pei wrinkles are distinctive.
American English
- He has a shar-pei look about him.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; only in contexts of pet industry or breeding.
Academic
Rare; may appear in veterinary or zoological papers.
Everyday
Used when discussing pets or dog breeds.
Technical
Used in kennel club standards, veterinary medicine.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shar pei”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shar pei”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shar pei”
- Misspelling as 'sharpay', 'sharpei' (one word), or 'char pei'.
- Incorrect plural: 'shar peis' (correct: 'shar peis' or 'shar pei', as it can be invariant).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically not, unless starting a sentence, as it is a common noun referring to a breed.
It is often translated as 'sand skin', referring to the texture of the coat.
They can be loyal and protective but may be aloof with strangers and require experienced handling.
In both British and American English, it is pronounced roughly as 'shar pay'.
A breed of dog originating from China, characterized by deep wrinkles and a blue-black tongue.
Shar pei is usually specialist/general in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SHARed PIE: Imagine a dog so wrinkled it looks like a pie with too many pastry folds shared among friends.
Conceptual Metaphor
WRINKLES ARE CHARACTER (the breed's defining wrinkles symbolize its unique identity).
Practice
Quiz
What is the origin country of the shar pei breed?