1.
moon
The natural satellite of Earth.
When I went outside late at night, I was surprised to see a big moon in the sky.
2.
month
One of the twelve divisions of a year.
月 has two meanings: the moon (celestial body) and month (time period).
READINGS:
- つき: standalone word (moon, month)
- がつ/げつ: in compounds for months
MOON PHASES:
- 満月: full moon
- 新月: new moon
- 三日月: crescent moon
- 半月: half moon
MONTH EXPRESSIONS:
- 今月: this month
- 先月: last month
- 来月: next month
- 毎月: every month
- 一月: one month (duration)
CULTURAL NOTE:
月見 (moon viewing) is a traditional autumn activity. 十五夜 refers to the harvest moon viewing festival.
IDIOM:
月が綺麗ですね - "The moon is beautiful" (famously associated with expressing love indirectly).
Related Words
Antonym:
太陽 (sun)