孙悟空 (Sūn Wù kōng) — Sun Wukong (the Monkey King, a central character in Journey to the West)

Definition

The Monkey King, the supernatural monkey-hero of 西游记 who travels with the monk 唐僧. Name refers to the specific character; learners will meet related figures like 唐僧 and 猪八戒.

noun
Sun Wukong (the Monkey King, a central character in Journey to the West)

Examples

  • 孙悟空。
    Wǒ hěn xǐ huan Sūn Wù kōng zhè ge jué sè.
    I really like the character of Sun Wukong.
  • 孙悟空。
    Sūn Wù kōng Yí gè jīn dǒu jiù néng fān shí wàn bā qiān lǐ.
    Sun Wukong can somersault 108,000 li in a single flip.
  • 孙悟空！
    Nǐ jiǎn zhí jiù xiàng Sūn Wù kōng yí yàng shén tōng guǎng dà!
    You're just as incredibly capable as Sun Wukong!

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 孫; 孙 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 孫 pairs 子 (son) with 系 (continue), showing a line of descendants continuing. The simplified 孙 is a later shorthand, not the historical shape.

Open 孙 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
忄Written in full as心xīn
Sound part声符shēngfú
吾
吾wú悟
Same sound today

悟 is made from 忄, a side form of 心, and 吾, which supplies the sound.

Open 悟 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
穴穴xuécave, hole
Sound part声符shēngfú
工
工gōng空kōng
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

空 is built from 穴, a cave or hole, and 工, which gives the sound.

Open 空 →

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