猿 means “monkey”

さる · saru

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

さる

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

エン

Taught in secondary school · 13 strokes

The story

The three wise monkeys of Nikkō (see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil) are Japan's most famous 猿. Snow monkeys bathing in hot springs capture the playful spirit of these clever creatures.

Used in 猿真似 (sarumane, monkey see monkey do; blind imitation)

More from Animals & Creatures

• 鯨 whale
• 狐 fox
• 蛙 frog
• 犬 dog
• 猫 cat
• 牛 cow
• 馬 horse
• 虫 insect
• 羊 sheep
• 豚 pig
• 鹿 deer
• 熊 bear

Learn 猿 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.