負け犬

Reading

Kana: まけいぬ

Romaji: makeinu

Definitions

noun

1

dejected loser; dog that has lost a fight (with its tail between its legs)

2

unmarried woman (with no children) over the age of 30

Note: slang; derogatory

See also: お一人様 (reading おひとりさま, entry #2)

Kanji

負

Readings: フ、 ま.ける、 ま.かす、 お.う

Meanings: defeat, negative, -, minus, bear, owe, assume a responsibility

犬

Readings: ケン、 いぬ、 いぬ-

Meaning: dog

Example Sentence

負(ま)け犬(いぬ)になるわけにはいかない。

➥I can't stand getting beaten.