孫悟空
son gokū
In Japanese, "monkey king" refers to 孫悟空 (son gokū).
孫悟空 is used specifically as the name of the legendary monkey protagonist from the Chinese novel *Journey to the West*.
Which one should you use?
While 孫悟空 is a proper name, you may encounter 猿の王様 (saru no ō-sama) used to mean the "king of monkeys".
How do you pronounce it?
son gokū
When do people say it?
In Japan, the name 孫悟空 is widely recognized not only from the original Chinese novel but also through popular media like Dragon Ball.
Did you know?
- Because of the character's popularity, the name 悟空 is occasionally used as a real given name for children in Japan, though it remains rare.
- The character 悟空 is not just a name but a philosophical term in Japanese Buddhism referring to the nature of existence as being empty of permanent essence.
- In Japan, the name 孫悟空 is so inextricably linked to the manga 'Dragon Ball' that many younger speakers first associate the name with an alien Saiyan rather than a Chinese mythological figure.
Examples in context
- 孫悟空はとても強いキャラクターです。Son Gokū wa totemo tsuyoi kyarakutā desu.Sun Wukong is a very strong character.
- この物語の主人公は孫悟空です。Kono monogatari no shujinkō wa Son Gokū desu.The protagonist of this story is Sun Wukong.
- 孫悟空の物語は世界中で有名です。Son Gokū no monogatari wa sekaijū de yūmei desu.The story of Sun Wukong is famous all over the world.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are talking about their favorite legends.
- 健太 Kenta一番好きな伝説の人物は誰ですか。Ichiban suki na densetsu no jinbutsu wa dare desu ka.Who is your favorite legendary figure?
- 美咲 Misaki私は孫悟空が一番好きです。Watashi wa Son Gokū ga ichiban suki desu.I like the Monkey King the most.
- 健太 Kenta彼のお調子者なところが面白いですよね。Kare no ochōshimono na tokoro ga omoshiroi desu yo ne.His mischievous side is funny, isn't it?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、本当に面白いと思います。Hai, hontō ni omoshiroi to omoimasu.Yes, I think he is really funny.
