下弦(かげん)

One of the four principal lunar phases. The word literally means 'lower bowstring,' referring to the shape of the half-moon resembling the lower half of a drawn bow.

Moon phase vocabulary

• 新月(しんげつ): new moon
• 上弦(じょうげん): first quarter moon (waxing half-moon)
• 満月(まんげつ): full moon
• 下弦(かげん): last quarter moon (waning half-moon)
• 三日月(みかづき): crescent moon

Common collocations

• 下弦(かげん)の月(つき): the last quarter moon

Etymology

弦(げん) means 'bowstring.' When the half-moon's flat edge faces downward (as it appears when setting), it resembles the bottom string of a bow — hence 下弦(かげん) (lower bowstring). The opposite is 上弦(じょうげん) (upper bowstring).