1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “猿” (pronounced “saru” in Japanese) means “monkey.” It is commonly used to refer to various species of monkeys and apes, and it often symbolizes playfulness and mischief in Japanese culture.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “猿” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the radical for “animal” (犭) on the left, indicating that it relates to animals, with the phonetic component “猿” on the right, which provides the pronunciation.
Radical: The radical for “猿” is 犭 (the “dog” radical), which is commonly associated with animals.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “猿” are:
- 猿山 (saru-yama) – monkey mountain
- 猿回し (saru-mawashi) – monkey show
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 公園で猿を見ました。 (Kōen de saru o mimashita.) – I saw a monkey in the park.
- 猿はとても賢い動物です。 (Saru wa totemo kashikoi dōbutsu desu.) – Monkeys are very intelligent animals.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A similar kanji is “猴” (kō), which also means “monkey” but is less commonly used and often refers to specific types of monkeys.
Antonyms: There are no direct antonyms for “猿,” but one could consider “獣” (jū), meaning “beast” or “wild animal,” as a contrasting term since it refers to a broader category of animals.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: In Japanese culture, monkeys are often seen as playful and mischievous creatures. They appear in various folklore and are sometimes associated with the Shinto deity Sarutahiko, who is depicted as a monkey.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common saying is “猿も木から落ちる” (saru mo ki kara ochiru), which translates to “Even monkeys fall from trees,” meaning that even experts can make mistakes.