gorilla
Loading your saved state.
gorilla
The largest living species of great ape, native to the forests of Central Africa.
Im Zoo saß der alte Gorilla-Silberrücken nachdenklich in seinem Gehege.
At the zoo, the old silverback gorilla sat thoughtfully in his enclosure.
Context tells you whether the animal or a person is meant. Words like 'Zoo' (zoo), 'Dschungel' (jungle), or 'Silberrücken' (silverback) point to the animal. Terms like 'Leibwächter' (bodyguard), 'Türsteher' (bouncer), or 'muskulös' (muscular) point to the colloquial meaning for a person.
Wir haben gestern im Zoo einen riesigen Gorilla gesehen.
Yesterday we saw a huge gorilla at the zoo.
Calling a person 'Gorilla' (gorilla/heavy) is purely colloquial. It is often meant in a derogatory or negative way and describes a person who seems intimidating mainly because of their physical strength.
Vor der Disco standen zwei Gorillas und kontrollierten den Eingang.
There were two heavies standing in front of the club, checking the entrance.
In connection with gorillas as animals, you often hear the word 'der Silberrücken' (the silverback). This is the specific term for an old, dominant male with silver-gray fur on its back.
Der Silberrücken ist der Anführer der Gorilla-Gruppe.
The silverback is the leader of the gorilla group.
monkey / ape
'Affe' and 'Gorilla' both belong to the area of primates. But 'Affe' is a general word for many animal species. A 'Gorilla' is a specific type of great ape and is much more precise. Learners may confuse the words because a gorilla is also an Affe. If you are talking about the animal group in general, 'Affe' fits. If you mean this exact large animal, 'Gorilla' is correct. Colloquially, both words can also be used derogatorily for people, but with a different image: 'Affe' is more for silly or stupid behavior, while 'Gorilla' is more for a very large, strong, and intimidating man.
Der Gorilla sitzt ruhig im Gras und frisst Blätter.
The gorilla sits calmly in the grass and eats leaves.
Im Zoo klettert ein Affe schnell von Ast zu Ast.
At the zoo, a monkey quickly climbs from branch to branch.