猨
ape
Strokes12
Readings
On'yomi
- エン
Kun'yomi
- さる
Meaning
猨 centers on the concept of an ape, a primate distinct from monkeys.
Study
Etymology
猨 combines the animal radical 犭 with 爰, which likely contributes a phonetic element. The character is a variant form of 猿, both meaning ape.
Meaning mnemonic
The left side 犭 indicates an animal, and the right side 爰 looks like a hand reaching down from above, perhaps grabbing something. Picture an ape reaching out with its hand from a tree.
Reading mnemonic
For エン, imagine an ape at the end of a branch, swinging and calling out 'en!'. The sound 'en' cues エン, and the ape is right there in the tree.