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'.
Imagine a giant ape swinging through the trees. The character 猿 looks like a monkey hanging from a branch with its long arms (the '亻' radical representing a person and '猿' creating the image of an ape). The pronunciation 'yuán' can be remembered by the word 'yearn,' as if you're yearning to see this majestic creature in the wild.
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.
In Chinese culture, the ape is often associated with wisdom and agility, and they appear in various folktales and legends. The character 猿 may evoke thoughts of the famous novel 'Journey to the West,' where the Monkey King is a central character.
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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Etymology of 猿
Phonosemantic compound. 犭 represents the meaning and 袁 represents the sound. Simplified form of 猨.
animal
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 猿?
Decomposition of 猿
Identify the Components
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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.
Complete the Sentence
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)
Cultural Notes for 猿
In Chinese culture, the ape is often associated with wisdom and agility, and they appear in various folktales and legends. The character 猿 may evoke thoughts of the famous novel 'Journey to the West,' where the Monkey King is a central character.
Word Family of 猿
Compound Meaning
What does 猿 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 猿
The pronunciation is 'yuán' with a rising tone, similar to how you might say 'yearn'.