五月(ごがつ)

Etymology

All months use number + 月(がつ):

• 一月(いちがつ) (January) through 十二月(じゅうにがつ) (December)

CULTURAL NOTE (Golden Week):

• 昭和(しょうわ)の日(ひ) (April 29): Showa Day
• 憲法(けんぽう)記念(きねん)日(び) (May 3): Constitution Day
• みどりの日(ひ) (May 4): Greenery Day
• こどもの日(ひ) (May 5): Children's Day

CULTURAL NOTE (May customs):

• 鯉(こい)のぼり: carp streamers (displayed for Children's Day)
• 柏餅(かしわもち): rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves
• 五月人形(ごがつにんぎょう): warrior dolls

Cultural note

May is late spring (春(はる)) with pleasant weather. The rainy season (梅雨(つゆ)) typically begins in late May or early June.

Watch out

A few set words keep the old reading さつき or さ for 五月(ごがつ): 五月晴(さつきば)れ (fine weather in May, originally a break in the rainy season), 五月雨(さみだれ) (early-summer rain).