Year of the Monkey: Personality, Compatibility & Lucky Traits
Clever, curious, and playful — the Monkey is the quick-witted trickster of the Chinese zodiac. Here's what it means.
The Monkey is the ninth sign of the Chinese zodiac — clever, curious, and endlessly playful. If you were born in a Monkey year, here's what your sign is said to reveal about your personality, love life, and career.
Which years are the Year of the Monkey?
Recent Monkey years include 1980, 1992, 2004, and 2016, with the next in 2028. Because the Chinese year begins at Lunar New Year, those born in January or early February should check the rollover — you may belong to the previous sign, the Goat.
Monkey personality and traits
- Clever, sharp, and quick-thinking.
- Curious, inventive, and versatile.
- Playful, witty, and sociable.
- Adaptable and great at solving problems.
Monkeys can also be mischievous, restless, and a little too fond of cutting corners.
Monkey love and compatibility
The Monkey's best matches are the Rat and Dragon, who keep up with the Monkey's wit and energy. The classic clash is with the Tiger, whose pride and the Monkey's cheek can collide. In love, Monkeys are fun, attentive, and full of surprises.
Monkey careers
Inventive and quick, Monkeys thrive in technology, science, entertainment, business, and any field that rewards cleverness and creative problem-solving.
For the full system — the five elements and the lunar-new-year rule — see our Chinese zodiac guide, and your complete reading calculates your animal, element, and yin/yang.
Frequently asked
What years are the Year of the Monkey?
Recent Monkey years include 1980, 1992, 2004, and 2016, with the next in 2028. Those born in January or early February should check the Lunar New Year rollover.
What is the Monkey personality?
Monkeys are clever, curious, playful, and versatile, with a gift for problem-solving. They can also be mischievous and restless.
Who is the Monkey compatible with?
The Monkey's best matches are the Rat and Dragon. The traditional clash is with the Tiger.
Keep reading
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