Bark at Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈbɑɹk/ /ˈæt

BARK-at

UK

bˈɑːk/ /ˈæt

BAHK-at

Definition

To make a loud, sharp sound at someone or something, like a dog does; also, to speak to someone in a harsh or angry way.

Usage & Nuances

Commonly used for dogs literally, but can describe a person speaking angrily or sharply to someone ('Don't bark at me!'). For people, often negative or impatient tone. Collocates with 'dog', 'people', and 'orders'. Don't confuse with 'shout at' (not always angry or sharp like 'bark at').

• Spanish: ladrar a - gritarle a (persona, fig.)
• Portuguese (BR): latir para - gritar com (pessoa, fig.)
• Portuguese (PT): ladrar para - gritar com (pessoa, fig.)
• Chinese (Simplified): 对...叫 - 对...吠（用于狗），对...大声嚷嚷（引申）
• Chinese (Traditional): 對...叫 - 對...吠（狗），對...大聲叫喊（引申）
• Hindi: पर भौंकना - पर चिल्लाना (आम तौर पर व्यक्ति को)
• Arabic: ينبح على - يصرخ على (شخص، مجازاً)
• Bengali: -এর দিকে ঘেউ ঘেউ করা - (কারো প্রতি) চেঁচানো (রূপক অর্থে)
• Russian: лаять на - накричать на (человека, перен.)
• Japanese: 〜にほえる - 〜に向かってどなる（比喩的）
• Vietnamese: sủa vào - quát mắng (người, nghĩa bóng)
• Korean: ~에게 짖다 - ~에게 소리치다(비유)
• Turkish: havlamak (birine/bir şeye) - bağırmak (birine, mecazi)
• Urdu: پر بھونکنا - پر چلانا (افراد کے لیے مجازاً)
• Indonesian: menggonggong pada - membentak (orang, kiasan)

Example Sentences

He always barks at anyone who comes near his house.

natural

She just barked at me when I asked a question.

natural

Don't take it personally—he barks at everyone when he's stressed.

natural

The dog started to bark at the mailman.

basic

Don’t bark at your sister like that.

basic

Every morning, the dogs bark at the passing cars.

basic