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猩猩 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
猩猩xīngxingorangutanHSK 7, unknown, 24 strokes, rank #9091, Very Hard
xīngxing(xing1xing5)xing xing T1
  1. 1orangutan
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March 24, 2026

猩猩xīngxing(xing1xing5)

猩猩 (xīng xing) refers to an orangutan, a large primate known for its intelligence and distinctive red fur. These animals are primarily found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra and are often associated with conservation efforts due to their endangered status. The word can be used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing wildlife or environmental issues.

Strokes24Frequency#9091DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The orangutan is a symbol of wildlife conservation in China, as these animals have become endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. This word is often used in discussions about environmental protection and animal rights.

Memory tip

Imagine a big, fuzzy red 'xing' (星) star in the rainforest, representing the orangutan's bright color and its connection to the stars of wildlife conservation. The repetition of '猩' (xing) can remind you of the orangutan swinging through the trees, echoing its playful nature.

Meanings of 猩猩

xīngxing(xing1xing5)
1orangutan
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 猩猩

猩猩Simplified
24Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 猩猩

Quick Contrast

猩猩 (xīngxing) vs 大猩猩 (dàxīngxing): Use 猩猩 for orangutans specifically, while 大猩猩 refers to gorillas.

Usage Notes

Learners often mistakenly confuse 猩猩 (xīng xing) with similar-sounding animals or characters. It is important to remember that this term specifically refers to orangutans and not other primates. Be mindful of the tone difference between 'xīng' (first tone) and 'xing' (fifth tone) to avoid confusion.

HSK Study Tips

Although 猩猩 is not a formal HSK word, it connects with the vocabulary of animals at HSK Level 3. Students should focus on animal-related terms and the tones associated with them to enhance their understanding of Mandarin vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is pronouncing the tones incorrectly, such as saying 'xing1 xing1' instead of 'xing1 xing5'. Another mistake is using 猩猩 to refer to any primate, when it specifically means orangutan.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 猩猩

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Component characters

猩xīngape, orangutan
12 strokes犭
View full entry
猩xīngape, orangutan
12 strokes犭
View full entry

How to say orangutan in Chinese

“orangutan” in Chinese is猩猩xīngxing

猩猩 (xīng xing) refers to an orangutan, a large primate known for its intelligence and distinctive red fur. These animals are primarily found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra and are often associated with conservation efforts due to their endangered status. The word can be used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing wildlife or environmental issues.

When to use 猩猩

Learners often mistakenly confuse 猩猩 (xīng xing) with similar-sounding animals or characters. It is important to remember that this term specifically refers to orangutans and not other primates. Be mindful of the tone difference between 'xīng' (first tone) and 'xing' (fifth tone) to avoid confusion.

猩猩 or something close to it

猩猩 (xīngxing) vs 大猩猩 (dàxīngxing): Use 猩猩 for orangutans specifically, while 大猩猩 refers to gorillas.

What learners get wrong

A common mistake is pronouncing the tones incorrectly, such as saying 'xing1 xing1' instead of 'xing1 xing5'. Another mistake is using 猩猩 to refer to any primate, when it specifically means orangutan.

Write 猩猩

猩
猩

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Frequently asked questions about 猩猩

猩猩 refers to an orangutan, a type of large, intelligent primate.

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