狐 hú fox
How to remember 狐: 犭 dog + 瓜 melon = fox. The farmer's dog barks all night because something is raiding the melon patch, and at dawn they catch a sneaky red fox.
Component breakdown
形声 · Meaning + sound
One part gives the meaning, the other gives the sound.
狐 = 犭 dog + 瓜 melon
- 犭 dog meaning
- 瓜 melon sound
The farmer's dog barks all night because something is raiding the melon patch, and at dawn they catch a sneaky red fox.
How it came to be
The dog gives the meaning and the melon the sound.
How it is used
- The fox: 狐狸 (húli) fox, a stock symbol of cunning and seduction.
- 狐假虎威 (hújiǎ-hǔwēi), the fox borrowing the tiger's might, means bullying others by flaunting a powerful backer; 狐疑 (húyí) means suspicious/doubtful; 狐朋狗友 bad company.