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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'orangutan' with 猩猩 (xīngxing)

    Existence & Possession

    Explanation

    猩猩 (xīngxing) means 'orangutan' or more broadly 'ape.' It is a reduplicated word commonly used to refer to great apes, especially orangutans. In everyday Chinese, it can appear in compound words like 大猩猩 (gorilla) or 黑猩猩 (chimpanzee).

    Examples

    • 动物园里新来了两只猩猩，孩子们特别兴奋。

      dòngwùyuán lǐ xīn lái le liǎng zhī xīngxīng, háizimen tèbié xīngfèn.

      The zoo got two new orangutans, and the children were very excited.

    • 猩猩是非常聪明的动物，能学会使用工具。

      xīngxīng shì fēicháng cōngmíng de dòngwù, néng xuéhuì shǐyòng gōngjù.

      Orangutans are very intelligent animals that can learn to use tools.

    • 那只猩猩正坐在树上吃水果呢。

      nà zhī xīngxīng zhèng zuò zài shù shàng chī shuǐguǒ ne.

      That orangutan is sitting in a tree eating fruit.

    Often Confused With

    Expressing 'orangutan' with 猩猩 (xīngxing) | Chinese Grammar