Learning how to say the months in Japanese can be a useful skill when you want to discuss dates, plan events, or simply engage in conversations with native speakers. In this guide, we will cover the formal and informal ways to express the months in Japanese and provide tips, examples, and regional variations where applicable. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Way of Saying the Months in Japanese
The formal way to express the months in Japanese is by using a combination of numerical and kanji representations. Here is a list of the months in Japanese along with their formal pronunciations:
1. 一月 (いちがつ) – January 2. 二月 (にがつ) – February 3. 三月 (さんがつ) – March 4. 四月 (しがつ) – April 5. 五月 (ごがつ) – May 6. 六月 (ろくがつ) – June 7. 七月 (しちがつ) – July 8. 八月 (はちがつ) – August 9. 九月 (くがつ) – September 10. 十月 (じゅうがつ) – October 11. 十一月 (じゅういちがつ) – November 12. 十二月 (じゅうにがつ) – December
Remember, in formal situations or when reading dates, it is common to use these pronunciations.
Informal Way of Saying the Months in Japanese
In informal conversations, the months in Japanese are often expressed using a combination of numerical and native Japanese readings. Here is a list of the months in Japanese along with their informal pronunciations:
1. 1月 (いちがつ) – いちがつ (ichigatsu) 2. 2月 (にがつ) – にがつ (nigatsu) 3. 3月 (さんがつ) – さんがつ (sangatsu) 4. 4月 (しがつ) – しがつ (shigatsu) 5. 5月 (ごがつ) – ごがつ (gogatsu) 6. 6月 (ろくがつ) – ろくがつ (rokugatsu) 7. 7月 (しちがつ) – しちがつ (shichigatsu) 8. 8月 (はちがつ) – はちがつ (hachigatsu) 9. 9月 (くがつ) – くがつ (kugatsu) 10. 10月 (じゅうがつ) – じゅうがつ (juugatsu) 11. 11月 (じゅういちがつ) – じゅういちがつ (juuichigatsu) 12. 12月 (じゅうにがつ) – じゅうにがつ (juunigatsu)
Using the informal pronunciations allows for a more casual and friendly conversation. However, it is important to note that in formal settings, you should stick to the formal pronunciations.
Tips for Memorizing the Months in Japanese
Memorizing the months in Japanese can be made easier by using mnemonic devices or associating them with familiar things. Here are a few tips to help you remember:
- Break them into smaller units: Divide the months into groups of three or four and try remembering them in smaller chunks.
- Associate with seasons or events: Relate each month to a specific season or event happening in that month.
- Use visuals: Create flashcards or images representing each month to aid your memory.
- Practice regularly: Repeatedly say the months out loud or use them in sentences to reinforce your memory.
Examples
Now, let’s see the months in action with a few example sentences:
1. 今日は六月です。 (informal)
Today is June.
(Kyō wa rokugatsu desu.)2. 来年の一月にパーティーを開きます。 (formal)
We will hold a party in January next year.
(Rainen no ichigatsu ni pātī o hirakimasu.)3. 私の誕生日は七月です。 (informal)
My birthday is in July.
(Watashi no tanjōbi wa shichigatsu desu.)
Regional Variations
While Japan generally follows the same naming conventions for the months, there are a few regional variations worth mentioning. For instance, in some parts of Japan, “August” is pronounced as “はちがつ (hachigatsu)” instead of the standard “はちがつ (hachigatsu).” Additionally, Hokkaido dialect may replace the “んがつ (ngatsu)” sound with “んぐつ (ngutsu)” for certain months. However, these regional variations are not commonly used in everyday conversations.
That’s it for our guide on how to say the months in Japanese! Remember to practice these pronunciations regularly and incorporate them into your conversations. With time, you’ll become more comfortable and confident when discussing dates and events in Japanese. 頑張って (Ganbatte) – Good luck!
