九月(くがつ)

Pronunciation

The 九(く) in 九月(くがつ) is read く, not きゅう.

Usage

• "In September": 九月(くがつ)に (九月(くがつ)に引(ひ)っ越(こ)す, to move in September); the に is normally kept with month names.
• The end of the month: 九月(くがつ)末(まつ); early, mid and late September: 九月(くがつ)上旬(じょうじゅん), 中旬(ちゅうじゅん), 下旬(げじゅん).
• A length of time is counted with 〜ヶ月(げつ): 九(きゅう)ヶ月(げつ) (nine months; here the 九(きゅう) is read きゅう), not 九月(くがつ).

Cultural note

• The second school term starts in early September, after the summer vacation.
• 秋分(しゅうぶん)の日(ひ) (Autumn Equinox Day), around September 23, is a national holiday, as is 敬老(けいろう)の日(ひ) (Respect for the Aged Day) on the third Monday.

Writing

In horizontal text and on calendars it is usually written 9月(がつ).