(みかづき)

みかづき
noun
crescent moon
1. crescent moon
the thin curved shape of the moon visible shortly after new moon or before the next new moon
(よる)(ぞら)三日月(みかづき)()かんでいた。
A crescent moon was floating in the night sky.
三日月(みかづき)(かたち)をしたイヤリングを()った。
I bought earrings shaped like a crescent moon.
今夜(こんや)三日月(みかづき)がとても(あか)るく(かがや)いている。
Tonight the crescent moon is shining very brightly.

ETYMOLOGY:
三日(みっか) (third day) + (つき) (moon) → the moon on the third day of the lunar month, which appears as a thin crescent.

MOON PHASES:

  • 新月(しんげつ) (new moon)
  • 三日月(みかづき) (crescent moon)
  • 半月(はんげつ) (half moon)
  • 満月(まんげつ) (full moon)

CULTURAL NOTE:
The crescent moon shape is common in Japanese design, from family crests (家紋(かもん)) to traditional crafts and modern accessories.