月
The word '月' primarily refers to the moon, the Earth's natural satellite visible in the night sky. It is also used to denote a month within the calendar year and serves as a counter for durations of time.
Examples
3 of 5今夜は月がとても綺麗ですね。
The moon is very beautiful tonight, isn't it?
来月のスケジュールを確認してください。
Please check the schedule for next month.
見て、月がすごく赤いよ！
Look, the moon is really red!
Word Family
Memory Tip
The kanji 月 is a pictograph of a crescent moon with two clouds drifting across it. Imagine the horizontal lines as the clouds.
Quick Quiz
夜の空に明るい___が見えます。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 月
Examples
今夜は月がとても綺麗ですね。
everydayThe moon is very beautiful tonight, isn't it?
来月のスケジュールを確認してください。
formalPlease check the schedule for next month.
見て、月がすごく赤いよ！
informalLook, the moon is really red!
月は地球の周りを公転している。
academicThe moon orbits around the Earth.
今月の進捗状況を報告いたします。
businessI will report on the progress for this month.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
月とすっぽん
As different as night and day (literally: the moon and a soft-shell turtle)
月日が流れる
Time flies (literally: months and days flow)
月に叢雲、花に風
Good things are often interrupted by problems (literally: clouds to the moon, wind to the flowers)
Often Confused With
Learners often mix up 'day' (nichi/hi) and 'month' (getsu/tsuki) when writing dates or counting time.
While it contains the character for moon, this specifically refers to Monday, not the moon itself or a generic month.
Usage Notes
Read as 'tsuki' when referring to the celestial body. When referring to calendar months (January, February, etc.), use the reading 'gatsu' (e.g., Ichigatsu). For counting duration (one month), use 'kagetsu'.
Common Mistakes
Mixing up 'gatsu' and 'getsu'. Use 'gatsu' for specific months (like April) and 'getsu' for durations or combinations like 'kongetsu' (this month).
Memory Tip
The kanji 月 is a pictograph of a crescent moon with two clouds drifting across it. Imagine the horizontal lines as the clouds.
Word Origin
Derived from Old Japanese 'tukiy', which originally meant the moon and the period of its cycle.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The moon is central to 'Tsukimi' (moon viewing), a traditional festival in autumn where Japanese people express gratitude for the harvest.
Quick Quiz
夜の空に明るい___が見えます。
Correct!
The correct answer is: 月
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
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