Part of 'Shih Tzu', a toy dog breed originating from Tibet and China. Also appears in Chinese names and terms, often meaning 'lion' or relating to historical/poetic contexts.
From Chinese 獅 (shī) meaning 'lion'. In 'Shih Tzu' (獅子), it combines with 'tzu' (son) to mean 'lion son' or 'little lion'. The term reflects the breed's lion-like appearance and regal bearing, prized in Chinese imperial courts.
The Shih Tzu's name literally means 'lion dog', reflecting ancient Chinese artisans' attempts to breed dogs resembling the lions in Buddhist art - despite China having no native lions! This cultural translation of mythical ideals into living companions shows humanity's endless creativity in shaping the world around us.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.