How to say "monkey" in Japanese
"Monkey" in Japanese is 猿 (saru), often written サル. Japan's native monkey is the ニホンザル (Nihonzaru), known as the snow monkey.
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Ways to say "monkey" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 猿さる · saru | Monkey. |
| ニホンザルにほんざる · Nihonzaru | Japanese macaque (snow monkey). |
How to use it
The snow monkeys in hot springs at Jigokudani in Nagano are famous around the world.
The proverb 猿も木から落ちる means "Even monkeys fall from trees," or "Everyone makes mistakes."
Example sentences
- 長野で温泉に入る猿を見ました。Nagano de onsen ni hairu saru o mimashita.I saw monkeys bathing in a hot spring in Nagano.
- 動物園で猿を見ました。Dōbutsuen de saru o mimashita.I saw monkeys at the zoo.
- 猿も木から落ちるですね。Saru mo ki kara ochiru desu ne.Even experts make mistakes, right?
- この山には猿がいます。Kono yama ni wa saru ga imasu.There are monkeys on this mountain.
- 猿に食べ物をあげないでください。Saru ni tabemono o agenaide kudasai.Please don't feed the monkeys.
- ニホンザルは雪の中でも暮らせます。Nihonzaru wa yuki no naka demo kurasemasu.Japanese macaques can live even in snow.
Questions
What does 猿も木から落ちる mean?
It means "Even monkeys fall from trees," so even skilled people make mistakes.
Where can you see snow monkeys in Japan?
Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano is famous for Japanese macaques bathing in hot springs in winter.
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