名月(めいげつ)

めいげつ
noun
harvest moon; bright full moon (esp. of mid-autumn)
1. harvest moon; bright full moon, especially in mid-autumn
A particularly bright and beautiful full moon, traditionally that of the 15th night of the 8th lunar month (mid-autumn). The classic object of 月見(つきみ) (moon viewing).
今夜(こんや)は名月(めいげつ)が見(み)られる。
We can see the harvest moon tonight.
縁側(えんがわ)で名月(めいげつ)を眺(なが)めた。
We gazed at the harvest moon from the veranda.
中秋(ちゅうしゅう)の名月(めいげつ)を楽(たの)しむために、家族(かぞく)で団子(だんご)を用意(ようい)した。
To enjoy the mid-autumn harvest moon, the family prepared dumplings.

名(めい) (renowned, fine) + 月(げつ) (moon). Specifically a moon worth celebrating, not just any full moon.

CULTURAL CONTEXT:
The canonical 名月(めいげつ) is the 中秋(ちゅうしゅう)の名月(めいげつ), the harvest moon of the 15th night of the 8th lunar month. A secondary 十三夜(じゅうさんや) ('13th night') moon a month later is also traditionally viewed. Skipping either was considered bad luck (片見月(かたみつき)).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 中秋(ちゅうしゅう)の名月(めいげつ): the mid-autumn harvest moon
  • 名月(めいげつ)を眺(なが)める: to gaze at the harvest moon
  • 名月(めいげつ)を楽(たの)しむ: to enjoy the harvest moon

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 満月(まんげつ): full moon — neutral astronomical term, any month
  • 十五夜(じゅうごや): the 15th night — the night the harvest moon is viewed
  • 望月(もちづき): full moon (literary)
general
Added 2026.5.15 13:12
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