Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Words Kanji Guides About

猿腦 (えんのう) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

猿えん腦のう

Meanings

1

noun

monkey brain (as food or medicine)

rare term

Rare term referring to monkey brain consumed as a delicacy or traditional medicine. Not commonly used in modern everyday language.

一いち部ぶの地ち域いきでは、猿えん腦のうが滋じ養よう強きょう壮そうの妙みょう薬やくと信しんじられていた。
In some regions, monkey brain was believed to be a miraculous tonic for health.

Written forms

猿えん腦のう
Rare kanji spelling; the second character 腦 is the traditional form of 脳. Modern usage may prefer 猿脳.
猿えん脳のう
Modern simplified kanji form, more common in contemporary texts.

Kanji

猿monkey
腦brain, memory

Etymology

Compound of 猿 (monkey) and 腦/脳 (brain). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but the term likely arose from practices in traditional medicine or exotic cuisine.