How to Say "Monkey" in Chinese

猴子

hóuzi

In Chinese, monkey is 猴子 (hóuzi). Wiktionary also lists 猴兒 / 猴儿 (hóur) and 猴 (hóu).

Meaning: primate (noun)

Ways to say it

The term refers to the primate animal.

猴子 is the standard and most common form. 猴儿 (or 猴兒) serves as a diminutive form used to refer to a 'little monkey'.

猴儿 is an informal, colloquial version often used to sound more affectionate or casual.

In Hong Kong Cantonese (Yue Chinese), monkey is Hau (猴). In Northern China, the diminutive form 猴儿 is commonly used.

猴子 is the standard, most common way to say 'monkey' in both spoken and written Chinese.

hóuzi

The term 沐猴 refers to a 'bathing monkey', a classical literary metaphor for a person who mimics sophistication or manners but remains fundamentally uncivilized.
In Chinese culture, the 'Monkey King' from the classic novel Journey to the West is one of the most influential literary figures in East Asia, blending the primate's agility with divine powers.
In some contexts, calling a child a 猴子 is a compliment to their cleverness and energy rather than a literal comparison to an animal.

你看着像猴。
You look like a monkey.
This sentence shows how to use the form 猴.
Tatoeba #5780564 by verdastelo9604, translation #3348067 by CK
猴子爬上了树。
The monkey climbed up a tree.
This sentence shows how to use the form 猴子.
Tatoeba #1372495 by sadhen, translation #50347 by CK
那不是猪，而是猴子。
It's not a pig. It's a monkey.
Tatoeba #1790134 by sadhen, translation #59088 by Eldad
14 more sentences on Tatoeba

Two friends are visiting a zoo.

佳怡 Jiayi

伟，你看那只猴子！
Wěi, nǐ kàn nà zhī hóuzi!
Wei, look at that monkey!
伟 Wei

它真的很可爱。
Tā zhēn de hěn kě'ài.
It is really cute.
佳怡 Jiayi

它正在树上跳。
Tā zhèngzài shù shàng tiào.
It is jumping in the tree.
伟 Wei

佳怡，我们去看看别的动物吧。
Jiāyí, wǒmen qù kàn kàn bié de dòngwù ba.
Jiayi, let's go see the other animals.

Sources

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