月食(げっしょく)

げっしょく
noun
lunar eclipse
1. lunar eclipse
An astronomical phenomenon where Earth passes between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon.
今夜(こんや)は月食(げっしょく)が見(み)られる。
We can see a lunar eclipse tonight.
皆既月食(かいきげっしょく)で月(つき)が赤(あか)く見(み)えた。
The moon appeared red during the total lunar eclipse.
月食(げっしょく)は日食(にっしょく)より長(なが)く続(つづ)く。
A lunar eclipse lasts longer than a solar eclipse.

月食(げっしょく) refers to a lunar eclipse.

TYPES OF LUNAR ECLIPSES:

  • 皆既月食(かいきげっしょく) (total lunar eclipse)
  • 部分月食(ぶぶんげっしょく) (partial lunar eclipse)
  • 半影月食(はんえいげっしょく) (penumbral lunar eclipse)

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

  • 月食(げっしょく)が起(お)こる (a lunar eclipse occurs)
  • 月食(げっしょく)を観測(かんそく)する (observe a lunar eclipse)

NOTE:
During a total lunar eclipse, the Moon often appears reddish, which is why it's sometimes called a "blood moon" (ブラッドムーン(ぶらっどむーん)).

RELATED WORDS:

  • 日食(にっしょく): solar eclipse
  • 蝕(しょく): eclipse (general term)

Related Words

Contrast: 日食(にっしょく) (solar eclipse)
general
Added 2026.1.17 18:38 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06000/06312_gesshoku