猴
kâu
The word for monkey in Hokkien is 猴 (kâu).
猴 is used to refer to the primate.
Meaning: primate (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kâu.
Did you know?
- While English speakers might say someone is 'monkeying around', a Hokkien speaker might use the specific term 猴精 (âu-keng) to describe a person who is not just mischievous, but cunning and manipulative.
- The concept of the 'monkey' in Hokkien culture is often tied to the zodiac, and certain birth years are believed to possess the specific 'monkey' traits of being quick-witted but unreliable.
- In certain traditional Hokkien folk operas, the 'monkey' character is often portrayed with specific stylized makeup to signify a comedic, rather than a frightening, presence.
Examples in context
- 彼隻猴真靈活。hit tsiah hau chin lil-huat.That monkey is very agile.
- 森林內有真濟猴。sim-lim lāi ū tsin tsē hau.There are many monkeys in the forest.
- 猴仔佇樹枝頂。hau-á tī tsuì-chi tīng.The monkey is on the tree branch.
Example conversation
Shufen and Zhiming are at the zoo.
- 淑芬 Siok-fun志明，你看著彼隻猴子！Tsi-ming, lí khuànn-tsat pit tsiah héu-tsí!Zhiming, look at that monkey!
- 志明 Chi-ming牠在做什麼？i tsai tsò siá-mih?What is it doing?
- 淑芬 Siok-fun猴子在食香蕉。héu-tsí tsai tsiah hsiang-tsiau.The monkey is eating a banana.
- 志明 Chi-ming看起來好可愛。khuànn-khí-lâi hó khó-ài.It looks so cute.
