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狲 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
狲sūnmonkeyx, 9 strokes, radical 犭
狲sūn(monkey)unknown, 9 strokes, radical 犭
sūn(sun1)sun T1
  1. 1monkey
  2. 2(monkey)
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March 24, 2026

狲(猻)sūn(sun1)

The character 狲 (sūn) refers specifically to a type of monkey, often associated with agility and playfulness. It is less commonly used in modern language but can be encountered in literary contexts or discussions about animals. In Chinese culture, monkeys are often symbolic of cleverness and mischief.

Strokes9Radical犭
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the monkey is one of the twelve zodiac animals and is celebrated for its intelligence and resourcefulness. The Year of the Monkey is often associated with cleverness and adaptability.

Memory tip

Imagine a playful monkey swinging from branches, its silhouette outlined against the sky. The character 狲 features the radical for 'animal' (犭) on the left, hinting at its animalistic nature, and the right side resembles a playful monkey leaping around. Remember 'sūn' as 'swinging' to connect the pronunciation with its lively imagery.

Meanings of 狲

sūn(sun1)
1monkey
2(monkey)
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 狲 means.

About 狲

狲Simplified
猻Traditional
9Strokes
犭Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 狲

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Podcast: 狲

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AI study notes for 狲

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 狲, as it is not commonly utilized in everyday conversation. It is more appropriate in literary contexts or when specifically discussing monkeys. Common mistakes include confusing it with more general terms for animals or mammals.

HSK Study Tips

Although 狲 is not part of the standard HSK vocabulary, understanding this character can enhance your reading comprehension in classical texts. Focus on recognizing it in context and associating it with other animal-related vocabulary like 猴子 (hóuzi), which means 'monkey'.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 狲 with 猴子, using them interchangeably when discussing monkeys. It's important to use 狲 in more specific or literary contexts, while 猴子 is more appropriate for general use.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 狲

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Etymology of 狲

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

animal

Semantic (meaning)犭
+
Phonetic (sound)孙
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

狲 = 犭 + 孙. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 狲

IDS Structure⿰犭孙
狲Full character
=
犭quan3
left
孙Sun1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 狲?

How to say monkey in Chinese

“monkey” in Chinese is狲sūn

The character 狲 (sūn) refers specifically to a type of monkey, often associated with agility and playfulness. It is less commonly used in modern language but can be encountered in literary contexts or discussions about animals. In Chinese culture, monkeys are often symbolic of cleverness and mischief.

When to use 狲

Be cautious when using 狲, as it is not commonly utilized in everyday conversation. It is more appropriate in literary contexts or when specifically discussing monkeys. Common mistakes include confusing it with more general terms for animals or mammals.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 狲 with 猴子, using them interchangeably when discussing monkeys. It's important to use 狲 in more specific or literary contexts, while 猴子 is more appropriate for general use.

Write 狲

狲

Practice writing 狲 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 狲

狲 carries 2 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.

Exercise 1 of 2

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

树倒猢____散.

When the boss falls from power , his lackeys disperse.

Example sentences for 狲 (1)

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1
树倒猢狲散.

shù dào hú sūn sǎn.

When the boss falls from power , his lackeys disperse.
Exercise 1 of 1

Rebuild it

Rebuild it: “When the boss falls from power , his lackeys disperse.”

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Word Family of 狲

Words containing this character2
狲sūn(monkey)猻
树倒猢狲散Rats leave a sinking ship.樹倒猢猻散
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 狲

What does 树倒猢狲散 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 狲

While both refer to monkeys, 狲 is a more specific term that can evoke a particular type of monkey, while 猴子 is a general term for monkeys.

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