year of the Monkey
Refers to the year of the Monkey in the 12-year Chinese zodiac cycle. Often used in contexts of New Year greetings, fortune-telling, or discussing birth years.
See also: 申年
来年は申の年です。
Next year is the year of the Monkey.
申の年に生まれた人は、賢いと言われています。
People born in the year of the Monkey are said to be clever.
Compound of 申 (さる, 'Monkey', the ninth sign of the Chinese zodiac) + possessive particle の + 年 (とし, 'year').