Meanings of 猿
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About 猿
Podcast: 猿
Podcast: 猿
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AI study notes for 猿
猩猩 (xīngxing) vs 猿 (yuán): 猩猩 specifically refers to 'orangutan', while 猿 is a more general term for 'ape'.
Learners should be cautious not to confuse 猿 (yuán) with similar animal-related characters like 猫 (māo, cat) or 狗 (gǒu, dog). It is mostly used in written Chinese, so using it in casual conversation might be perceived as formal. Common collocations include phrases like 猿猴 (yuán hóu, ape) or referring to specific species.
While 猿 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with other animal characters and can be useful for expanding your vocabulary around wildlife. Students should focus on recognizing the radicals and components to differentiate it from similar characters.
A common mistake is confusing 猿 (yuán) with other animal characters, leading to incorrect usage. For instance, using 猿 when referring to a monkey (猴, hóu) would be incorrect and could confuse the listener.
Pronunciation of 猿
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Jason Explains 猿 to you
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Learning Lab
Knowing 猿 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Etymology of 猿
Phonosemantic compound. 犭 represents the meaning and 袁 represents the sound. Simplified form of 猨.
animal
Origin
猿 = 犭 + 袁. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 猿
Parts
Which of these is part of 猿?
How to say ape in Chinese
“ape” in Chinese is猿
The character 猿 (yuán) means 'ape' and refers specifically to certain types of primates that are characterized by their long arms and lack of tails. It is often used in literary contexts or discussions about wildlife, particularly in relation to evolution and nature. In everyday conversation, it may appear less frequently unless discussing animals or specific cultural references.
When to use 猿
Learners should be cautious not to confuse 猿 (yuán) with similar animal-related characters like 猫 (māo, cat) or 狗 (gǒu, dog). It is mostly used in written Chinese, so using it in casual conversation might be perceived as formal. Common collocations include phrases like 猿猴 (yuán hóu, ape) or referring to specific species.
猿 or something close to it
猩猩 (xīngxing) vs 猿 (yuán): 猩猩 specifically refers to 'orangutan', while 猿 is a more general term for 'ape'.
What learners get wrong
A common mistake is confusing 猿 (yuán) with other animal characters, leading to incorrect usage. For instance, using 猿 when referring to a monkey (猴, hóu) would be incorrect and could confuse the listener.
Write 猿
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Practice writing 猿 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 猿
猿 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
埃达有一张布满皱纹、长得像____猴的脸。
Ada had a wrinkled, simian face.
Example sentences for 猿 (1)
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Word Family of 猿
Words with 猿
What does 猿人 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 猿
The pronunciation is 'yuán' with a rising tone, similar to how you might say 'yearn'.
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