上弦
jōgen
The phrase "upper moon" in Japanese is 上弦 (jōgen).
上弦 refers to the phase of the moon during its waxing period as it moves toward becoming a full moon.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 上 (jō), meaning 'upper' and 弦 (gen), meaning 'bowstring', which refers to the crescent shape of the moon.
How do you pronounce it?
jōgen
Did you know?
- In Japanese popular culture, the term 上弦 is famously used in the series 'Demon Slayer' to rank the strongest demons as 'Upper Moons'.
- The word 弦 used in 上弦 describes the moon as a 'bowstring', but it also refers to the string of a traditional Japanese bow or a musical instrument.
- In traditional Japanese lunar calendars, the moon's phase is often linked to auspicious days, and the 上弦 phase marks a period of growing energy.
Examples in context
- 今は上弦の月ですね。Ima wa jougen no tsuki desu ne.It is the upper moon right now, isn't it?
- 上弦の月が綺麗に見えます。Jougen no tsuki ga kirei ni miemasu.The upper moon looks beautiful.
- 昨日は上弦の月でした。Kinou wa jougen no tsuki deshita.Yesterday was the upper moon.
Example conversation
Yota and Misaki are looking at the night sky.
- 美咲 Misaki見て、綺麗な月が出ているよ。Mite, kireina tsuki ga dete iru yo.Look, a beautiful moon is out.
- 陽太 Yota本当だ。今は上弦の時期かな。Hontō da. Ima wa jōgen no jiki kana.You're right. I wonder if it's the upper moon period now.
- 美咲 Misakiそうだと思うよ。半分くらいまで満ちているね。Sō da to omou yo. Hanbun kurai made michite iru ne.I think so. It's waxed to about half.
- 陽太 Yota満月になるまであと数日だね。Mangetsu ni naru made ato sūjitsu da ne.It's a few more days until the full moon.
