Chinese Character: 猴
1. Character Basics
Radical: 犭/quǎn (dog/animal) + 侯/hóu (marquis)
Stroke Count: 12 strokes
Stroke Order:
2. Pronunciation
Pinyin: Hóu (Second tone)
3. Meaning
Basic Meaning: Monkey
Extended Meanings: Ape; simian; monkey-like
Additional Notes: Refers to primates of the family Cercopithecidae, or more broadly to any primate excluding humans, apes, and prosimians.
4. Common Words
- 猴子 (hóu zi) - Monkey
Example: 动物园里有很多猴子。(Dòngwù yuán lǐ yǒu hěn duō hóu zi.) - There are many monkeys in the zoo. - 猴王 (hóu wáng) - Monkey king
Example: 《西游记》中的孙悟空是著名的猴王。(Xī yóu jì zhōng de Sūn Wùkōng shì zhùmíng de hóu wáng.) - Sun Wukong in Journey to the West is a famous Monkey King. - 猴年 (hóu nián) - Year of the Monkey
Example: 下一个猴年是2032年。(Xià yī gè hóu nián shì 2032 nián.) - The next Year of the Monkey is 2032. - 猴戏 (hóu xì) - Monkey show
Example: 公园里有精彩的猴戏表演。(Gōngyuán lǐ yǒu jīngcǎi de hóu xì biǎoyǎn.) - There is a wonderful monkey show in the park. - 猴急 (hóu jí) - Anxious; impatient
Example: 别这么猴急，慢慢来。(Bié zhème hóu jí, màn màn lái.) - Don't be so impatient, take it easy.
5. Grammar & Usage
Part of Speech: Mainly used as a noun, but can also form adjectives and verbs.
Common Usage: Often used to refer to actual monkeys, or metaphorically to describe someone's behavior as monkey-like (playful, mischievous).
Common Structures:
- 猴 + [animal term]: 猴子 (monkey), 猴类 (monkeys)
- 猴 + [year]: 猴年 (Year of the Monkey)
- 猴 + [quality]: 猴急 (anxious), 猴精 (clever like a monkey)
Usage Notes: In Chinese zodiac, the Monkey is the 9th animal sign. It is often associated with cleverness, curiosity, and playfulness.
6. Cultural Background
Chinese Zodiac: The Monkey is one of the 12 zodiac animals, representing those born in years such as 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, etc.
Literary Significance: The Monkey King (孙悟空) from the classic novel "Journey to the West" is one of the most beloved characters in Chinese literature, symbolizing cleverness, bravery, and rebellion against authority.
Idiomatic Expressions: Many Chinese idioms involve monkeys, such as "沐猴而冠" (mù hóu ér guān), meaning "to act like a lord while being a mere monkey" or to put on airs.
Folklore: Monkeys appear in various Chinese folktales and are often portrayed as tricksters with human-like qualities.
Modern Culture: Monkeys continue to be popular in Chinese art, cartoons, and entertainment, often representing intelligence and agility.
7. Example Sentence
Example 1:
Chinese: 小猴子在树上跳来跳去。
Pinyin: Xiǎo hóu zi zài shù shàng tiào lái tiào qù.
English: The little monkey is jumping around in the tree.
Example 2:
Chinese: 猴年出生的人通常很聪明。
Pinyin: Hóu nián chūshēng de rén tōngcháng hěn cōngmíng.
English: People born in the Year of the Monkey are usually very clever.
Example 3:
Chinese: 别猴急，我们还有时间。
Pinyin: Bié hóu jí, wǒmen hái yǒu shíjiān.
English: Don't be so impatient, we still have time.
8. Memory Tips
Structure Memory: The character 猴 consists of 犭 (dog/animal) on the left and 侯 (marquis) on the right. Imagine a marquis-like animal, which helps associate it with a monkey.
Sound Association: The pinyin "hóu" sounds similar to the English word "monkey" when spoken with a Chinese accent, which can aid memory.
Vocabulary Grouping: Group words related to monkeys: 猴子 (monkey), 猴王 (monkey king), 猴年 (Year of the Monkey), etc. This reinforces the character's meaning.
Stroke Order Practice: Focus on the stroke order, especially for the left part 犭 and the right part 侯. Regular practice will help memorize the character's structure.
Cultural Connection: Remember the famous Monkey King character from Chinese literature. Associating the character with this well-known figure can make it more memorable.