monkey

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 猿 has 13 strokes and means monkey. It also appears in a disparaging term for imitation.
• Basic usage: 猿 is read さる, and 猿真似 is read さるまね.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• An animal or a judgment about copying
  • 木に登る猿 means a monkey climbing a tree.
  • 猿真似するだけでは occurs where merely copying someone is insufficient. 猿真似 carries a negative judgment about imitation lacking originality or understanding.