Year of the Monkey猴年 hóu nián · the ninth animal of the Chinese zodiac
Quick facts
- Position
- 9 of 12
- Zodiac name
- 猴 hóu - Monkey
- Everyday word
- 猴子 hóuzi
- “Year of the Monkey”
- 猴年 hóu nián
- Earthly Branch
- 申 shēn
- Hours of the day
- 3 pm – 5 pm
- Yin or yang
- Yang
- Next Monkey year
- 2028 (26 January 2028 - 12 February 2029)
Year of the Monkey years and dates
Each zodiac year starts at Chinese New Year and ends the day before the next one. If you were born in January or February, check the dates below or use the Chinese Zodiac Calculator.
| Year | Starts | Ends | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 | 2 Feb 1908 | 21 Jan 1909 | Earth |
| 1920 | 20 Feb 1920 | 7 Feb 1921 | Metal |
| 1932 | 6 Feb 1932 | 25 Jan 1933 | Water |
| 1944 | 25 Jan 1944 | 12 Feb 1945 | Wood |
| 1956 | 12 Feb 1956 | 30 Jan 1957 | Fire |
| 1968 | 30 Jan 1968 | 16 Feb 1969 | Earth |
| 1980 | 16 Feb 1980 | 4 Feb 1981 | Metal |
| 1992 | 4 Feb 1992 | 22 Jan 1993 | Water |
| 2004 | 22 Jan 2004 | 8 Feb 2005 | Wood |
| 2016 | 8 Feb 2016 | 27 Jan 2017 | Fire |
| 2028 | 26 Jan 2028 | 12 Feb 2029 | Earth |
| 2040 | 12 Feb 2040 | 31 Jan 2041 | Metal |
How to say Year of the Monkey in Chinese
To give your own sign, say 我属 (wǒ shǔ, “I belong to”) plus the animal. To ask someone else, say 你属什么？ (nǐ shǔ shénme?).
Monkey personality: what the sign stands for
People born in a Year of the Monkey are traditionally described as clever, curious and playful, quick to learn and good at solving problems.
Said to be
- clever
- curious
- witty
- inventive
Said to watch out for
- restless
- mischievous
These are traditional beliefs, shared for fun and for cultural background. They are not predictions.
The Monkey in the Great Race
In the Great Race the Monkey crossed the river on a raft with the Goat and the Rooster, clearing the weeds out of the way. It was given ninth place.
The Monkey in Chinese culture
The most famous monkey in China is 孙悟空 (Sūn Wùkōng), the Monkey King of the novel Journey to the West, who is clever, rebellious and loyal.
猴 (hóu) sounds the same as 侯 (hóu), an old noble title, so a picture of a monkey riding a horse means 马上封侯 (mǎshàng fēng hóu), “may you be promoted right away.” The everyday word for the animal is 猴子 (hóuzi).
Chinese idioms with 猴
杀鸡儆猴
shā jī jǐng hóu
"killing the chicken to warn the monkey"
Punishing one person as a warning to others.
猴年马月
hóu nián mǎ yuè
"the monkey year and the horse month"
Some unknown time far in the future; “who knows when.”
Monkey compatibility in tradition
Traditional matchmaking groups the twelve animals by their Earthly Branches. These pairings are folk tradition, not science. To check any two signs, use the Chinese Zodiac Compatibility chart.
Your own zodiac year is called 本命年 (běnmìngnián). Tradition says it can bring bad luck, so people wear something red for protection.
The other zodiac animals
Find your animal with the Chinese Zodiac CalculatorFrequently asked questions
What years are the Year of the Monkey?
Recent and coming Years of the Monkey are 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040. Each one starts at Chinese New Year, so January and early February birthdays usually belong to the year before.
When is the next Year of the Monkey?
The next Year of the Monkey runs from 26 January 2028 to 12 February 2029.
How do you say Year of the Monkey in Chinese?
It is 猴年 (hóu nián). To say you were born in that year, say 我属猴 (wǒ shǔ hóu).