猱 (náo) - Náo — a type of monkey or macaque & agile and nimble

猱Tone 2

náo ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

楠念

猱 · náo

Náo — a type of monkey or macaque;

agile and nimble;

in ancient texts, refers to a golden-furred monkey;

also used in names.

Náo — a type of monkey or macaqueagile and nimblein ancient texts, refers to a golden-furred monkey

Usage highlights

náo monkeyagile as a náogolden náonáo climbingnáo's agilityflying náo

Synonyms

  • 猴— monkey (general term)
  • 猿— ape (larger primate)
  • 猕猴— macaque (specific monkey type)

Antonyms

  • 笨— clumsy, stupid (antonym to agility/cleverness)
  • 拙— awkward, unskilled (antonym to dexterity)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The náo monkey is known for its agility (猱猴).
  • He climbed the tree as nimbly as a náo (捷如猱).
  • In ancient texts, the náo was described with golden fur (金猱).
  • The náo's dexterity is legendary (猱援).

Collocations

  • náo monkey(猱猴)
  • agile as a náo(捷如猱)
  • golden náo(金猱)
  • náo climbing(猱援)
  • náo's agility(猱捷)
  • flying náo(飞猱)

Idioms

  • Teaching a monkey to climb trees — unnecessary instruction(教猱升木)
  • As nimble as a monkey ascending(猱升)
  • The monkey takes the chestnut from the fire — a cat's-paw(猱搔虎痒)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Mentioned in ancient Chinese texts like the Classic of Poetry, often symbolizing agility and cleverness.
  • In some contexts, associated with a golden-furred monkey, considered a rare or mythical creature.
  • Used metaphorically to describe nimbleness and dexterity in movement or action.

FAQ