Signification
A canine of small size.
Contexte culturel
In Ulaanbaatar, small dogs are often seen as fashion statements or 'apartment-friendly' companions. Breeds like the Husky are popular but often struggle in small flats, leading to a rise in the popularity of 'жижиг нохой'. Traditionally, a dog's value was in its size and strength. A 'small dog' would have been useless for protection against wolves. However, nomads are often amused by small city dogs. Many Mongolians believe dogs are the last reincarnation before becoming human. Therefore, even a 'жижиг нохой' is treated with a level of karmic respect. Young Mongolians use English loanwords or 'cute' versions of Mongolian words on social media when talking about their small dogs, often calling them 'paws' or 'baby'.
Add -хэн for cuteness
If you want to sound more like a native speaker when seeing a cute dog, say 'жижигхэн' instead of 'жижиг'.
Don't use for people
Calling a person 'жижиг нохой' is not a common idiom for 'underdog' and might just sound confusing or rude.
Signification
A canine of small size.
Add -хэн for cuteness
If you want to sound more like a native speaker when seeing a cute dog, say 'жижигхэн' instead of 'жижиг'.
Don't use for people
Calling a person 'жижиг нохой' is not a common idiom for 'underdog' and might just sound confusing or rude.
Ask before petting
Even if it's a 'жижиг нохой', always ask 'Би илж болох уу?' (Can I pet it?) as some small dogs in UB can be protective.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct word for 'small'.
Миний _______ нохой цагаан өнгөтэй.
'Жижиг' means small, which fits the context of describing a pet's size.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
How do you say 'I see a small dog'?
The adjective 'жижиг' must come before the noun 'нохой'.
Match the Mongolian phrase to its English translation.
Match the following:
Simple vocabulary matching.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Чи ямар нохойтой вэ? B: Би _________ нохойтой.
'Жижиг' describes the type/size of the dog.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Types of Dogs in Mongolia
Жижиг (Small)
- • Пудель
- • Чихуахуа
- • Померан
Том (Big)
- • Банхар
- • Хаски
- • Герман овчарк
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesМиний _______ нохой цагаан өнгөтэй.
'Жижиг' means small, which fits the context of describing a pet's size.
How do you say 'I see a small dog'?
The adjective 'жижиг' must come before the noun 'нохой'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Simple vocabulary matching.
A: Чи ямар нохойтой вэ? B: Би _________ нохойтой.
'Жижиг' describes the type/size of the dog.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questions'Жижиг' refers to physical size (a small box, a small dog). 'Бага' refers to age (younger) or quantity (little bit).
You can, but it's better to use 'гөлөг' (gölög). 'Жижиг нохой' usually implies an adult dog of a small breed.
Yes, it's a neutral description. Adding 'хөөрхөн' (cute) makes it a compliment.
Add '-нууд' to the noun: 'жижиг нохойнууд'.
No, Mongolian does not have articles. 'Жижиг нохой' can mean 'a small dog' or 'the small dog' depending on context.
Poodles, Chihuahuas, and Pomeranians are very popular in Ulaanbaatar.
Би жижиг нохойнд дуртай. (Bi zhizhig nokhoind durtai).
Not really, but 'нохойхон' is a very casual, cute way to say it.
Not typically, but calling someone a 'dog' (нохой) in general can be an insult in specific contexts.
Миний нохой жижигхэн. (Minii nokhoi zhizhigkhen).
Yes! Because Mongolian winters reach -40°C, you will often see 'жижиг нохой' wearing coats and boots.
No, for people use 'намхан' (short) or 'жижиг биетэй' (small-bodied).
Expressions liées
Гөлөг
similarPuppy
Том нохой
contrastBig dog
Жижигхэн нохой
specialized formTiny/cute dog
Тэжээвэр амьтан
builds onPet
Анч нохой
specialized formHunting dog
