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March 24, 2026
猴子hóuzi(hou2zi5)
猴子 (hóuzi) refers to a monkey, an agile and intelligent animal often associated with playfulness in Chinese culture. This term is commonly used in both casual conversation and literature to evoke characteristics of cleverness or mischief.
Frequency#2620DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, monkeys are often seen as symbols of cleverness and are associated with the Chinese zodiac sign of the monkey, which is celebrated during the Lunar New Year. They are also featured in folklore, such as the famous character Sun Wukong from 'Journey to the West.'
Memory Tip
Imagine a playful monkey swinging from tree branches, making 'ho-ho' sounds. The character 猴 (hóu) has the radical for 'animal' (犭) on the left, emphasizing that it is an animal, while 子 (zi) means 'child' or 'offspring,' suggesting a young, lively creature.
Meanings of 猴子
hóuzi(hou2zi5)
1monkey
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 猴子
猴子Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2620Frequency Rank
只Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5TOCFLL4HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 猴子
Podcast: 猴子
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AI Study Notes for 猴子
Quick Contrast
猴 (hóu) refers specifically to 'monkey' in a more general or literary sense, while 猴子 (hóuzi) is the more common term used in everyday language.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a playful monkey swinging from tree branches, making 'ho-ho' sounds. The character 猴 (hóu) has the radical for 'animal' (犭) on the left, emphasizing that it is an animal, while 子 (zi) means 'child' or 'offspring,' suggesting a young, lively creature.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 猴子 with other animals due to similar endings; remember it specifically means 'monkey.' This word is informal and should be used in casual contexts, while the more formal term may involve scientific names or classifications. Common collocations include '猴子捞月' (hóuzi lāo yuè), which refers to a foolish action.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 猴子 connects with other animal-related vocabulary. Students should focus on its usage in idiomatic expressions and proverbs, enhancing their understanding of animal symbolism in Chinese.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, monkeys are often seen as symbols of cleverness and are associated with the Chinese zodiac sign of the monkey, which is celebrated during the Lunar New Year. They are also featured in folklore, such as the famous character Sun Wukong from 'Journey to the West.'
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use the word 猴子 to refer to any animal or even as a term for 'child.' Remember, it specifically means 'monkey.' For example, saying '我有一个猴子' (wǒ yǒu yīgè hóuzi) to mean 'I have a child' is incorrect; use '孩子' (háizi) instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 猴子
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Grammar Patterns of 猴子
猴子 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). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他故意的上下颠动车把,摇这个老____几下.
He deliberately jerked the shafts to rock him a bit.
Example Sentences for 猴子 (8)
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1
他故意的上下颠动车把,摇这个老猴子几下.
tā gù yì de shàng xià diān dòng chē bǎ, , yáo zhè gè lǎo hóu zǐ jī.
He deliberately jerked the shafts to rock him a bit.
2
老猴子并没说什么,祥子反倒有点不得劲儿.
lǎo hóu zǐ bìng méi shuō shí mó, , xiáng zǐ fǎn dǎo yǒu diǎn bù dé jìn.
Mr. Xia said nothing which made Xiangzi felt uncomfortable.
3
猴子在树上吱吱地叫着。
hóu zǐ zài shù shàng zhī zhī dì jiào zháo。
Monkeys were screeching in the trees.
4
这些猴子已经注射了由受感染的细胞培养而成的疫苗。
zhè xiē hóu zǐ yǐ jīng zhù shè le yóu shòu gǎn rǎn de xì bāo péi yǎng ér chéng de yì miáo。
The monkeys had been immunized with a vaccine made from infected cells.
The monkey was up the tree, flinging nuts to the ground.
6
他是个短小精干的爱尔兰人, 非常自负, 丑得象只猴子.
tā shì gè duǎn xiǎo jīng gān de ài ěr lán rén, , fēi cháng zì, fù , chǒu dé xiàng zhī.
He was a dapper little Irishman, very vain, homely as a monkey.
7
猴子伸臂去摘桃子.
hóu zǐ shēn bì qù zhāi táo zǐ.
The monkey made a long arm for the peach.
8
小猴子这才知道自己嘴馋,上了小鳄鱼的当.
xiǎo hóu zǐ zhè cái zhī dào zì jǐ zuǐ chán, , shàng le xiǎo è yú de.
Small monkey this just knows oneself is greedy and ascended small crocodile of be.
Cultural Notes for 猴子
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, monkeys are often seen as symbols of cleverness and are associated with the Chinese zodiac sign of the monkey, which is celebrated during the Lunar New Year. They are also featured in folklore, such as the famous character Sun Wukong from 'Journey to the West.'
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While monkeys are often viewed positively in Chinese culture, symbolizing intelligence and cunning, in some Western cultures they can be seen as a nuisance or mischievous pests, highlighting differing perceptions of these animals.
Frequently Asked Questions about 猴子
It is pronounced as hóuzi, with the first syllable in the second tone and the second syllable in the fifth tone.
The measure word for 猴子 is 只 (zhī), commonly used for animals.
It is primarily used in informal contexts; for formal writing, use scientific names or terms.
