月
tsuki[t͡sɨ̥kʲi]
The Japanese word for 'month' is 月 (tsuki). If unsure, use 月. Wiktionary also lists 月間 (gekkan).
Meaning: period into which a year is divided (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 月 | tsuki | [t͡sɨ̥kʲi] (narrow) [ɡe̞t͡sɨ] (narrow) |
| 月間 | gekkan | [ɡe̞k̚kã̠ɴ] (narrow) |
The word 月 is used to refer to a month in a calendar context. It also carries the literal meaning of 'moon'.
Which one should you use?
月 is the general term for a month. In contrast, 月間 is used specifically to indicate a duration or a specific period of time, such as 'a one-month period'.
How does it change in a sentence?
While 月 is used for the concept of a month, the form 月間 is used when you want to specify a period of [number] months.
How do you pronounce it?
tsuki
Did you know?
- In the Edo period, the word 月 (read as gachi) was used as a rank for low-end prostitutes in the Kansai region.
- The word 月 has two distinct pronunciations, 'tsuki' and 'getsu', depending on its origin. 'Tsuki' is the native Japanese reading, while 'getsu' comes from the Chinese-derived reading.
- The word 月 has multiple pronunciations. It is read as tsuki when referring to the moon or a month in general, but is read as getsu or gatsu when used in dates and calendars.
Examples in context
- 私は月給です。I get paid every month.This sentence is useful for describing a monthly salary using 月.Tatoeba #9640708 by small_snow, translation #9584732 by DJ_Saidez
- 今何月だっけ？What month is it now?This sentence is useful for asking which month it is using 月.Tatoeba #11831595 by small_snow, translation #11817460 by ddnktr
- 月に2回です。It's twice a month.This sentence is useful for expressing frequency per month using 月.Tatoeba #13795166 by Kojimano, translation #13795307 by rul
- 私は8月生まれです。I was born in August.
- 今日は11月1日です。Today is November 1st.
- お誕生日は何月ですか？Which month is your birthday?
- あいつ、来月結婚するんやって。That person is getting married next month, you know?
- 祭りは何月に行われますか？In which month is the festival held?
- 419 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are talking about their travel plans.
- 健太 Kenta来月、旅行に行きますか？Raigetsu, ryokou ni ikimasu ka?Are you going on a trip next month?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、来月に行く予定です。Hai, raigetsu ni iku yotei desu.Yes, I plan to go next month.
- 健太 Kentaいいですね。何月に行きますか？Ii desu ne. Nan gatsu ni ikimasu ka?That's nice. Which month are you going?
- 美咲 Misaki五月に行くつもりです。Gogatsu ni iku tsumori desu.I intend to go in May.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “month” translations and entries 月, 月間, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 月, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
