猴子
hóuzi
The English word monkey is translated into Chinese as 猴子 (hóuzi). Wiktionary also lists 猴兒 / 猴儿 (hóur) and 猴 (hóu).
Meaning: primate (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 猴子 | hóuzi |
| 猴兒 / 猴儿 | hóur |
| 猴 | hóu |
The term is used to refer to the primate. Metaphorically, calling someone a 猴子 can be used to mock them for being restless, mischievous or physically awkward.
Which one should you use?
The standard noun is 猴子. The form 猴 is used to mean monkey, while the form 猴儿 or 猴儿 is a diminutive used to describe a small monkey or to add an affectionate tone.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Minnan dialect spoken in Southern Fujian and Taiwan, the term 猴仔 is used to refer to monkeys.
How does it change in a sentence?
猴子 is the standard noun used in most contexts. The form 猴儿 is created by adding the suffix 儿 to 猴 to create a diminutive form.
How do you pronounce it?
hóuzi
Did you know?
- The phrase 沐猴而浴 describes a monkey trying to bathe, which is used as a metaphor for someone who puts on an air of sophistication but remains uncouth.
- The phonetic component of the character 猴 is actually the word for 'marquis' or 'nobleman'. While it provides the sound, it creates a strange visual contrast between a high-ranking official and a wild animal.
- Sun Wukong, known as the Monkey King, is one of the most famous characters in East Asian literature from the classic novel 西遊記.
Examples in context
- 你看着像猴。You look like a monkey.This sentence shows how to use the form 猴 to describe someone's appearance.Tatoeba #5780564 by verdastelo9604, translation #3348067 by CK
- 猴子爬上了树。The monkey climbed up a tree.This sentence uses the form 猴子 to describe an animal's action.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.This sentence uses the form 猴子 to identify an animal.Tatoeba #1790134 by sadhen, translation #59088 by Eldad
- 这只猴子真活泼！This monkey is so lively!
- 昨天我在公园看到一个调皮的猴儿Yesterday, I saw a mischievous monkey at the park.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zihan and Haoran are visiting the zoo.
- 梓涵 Zihan快看，那只猴子在吃香蕉！Kuài kàn, nà zhī hóuzi zài chī xiāngjiāo!Look quickly, that monkey is eating a banana!
- 浩然 Haoran它看起来非常聪明。Tā kàn qǐlái fēicháng cōngmíng.It looks very intelligent.
- 梓涵 Zihan我最喜欢看猴子玩耍。Wǒ zuì xǐhuān kàn hóuzi wánshuǎ.I love watching monkeys play the most.
- 浩然 Haoran我也是，它们太可爱了。Wǒ yě shì, tāmen tài kě'ài le.Me too, they are so cute.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “monkey” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 猴, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
