Translation and Meaning of: 月 - tsuki

The Japanese word 月[つき] is one of those that every Japanese learner encounters early in their journey. It means "moon" and is also used to refer to "month," a dualism that reflects the influence of the lunar calendar on Japanese culture. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and how it is perceived in Japan, as well as tips for memorizing it effectively.

If you've ever wondered why 月 appears in words like 月曜日 (Monday) or 今月 (this month), you'll discover here how a single kanji can have such distinct meanings. We will also discuss its use in everyday expressions and cultural curiosities that make this word a fundamental piece in learning Japanese.

Meaning and origin of 月[つき]

The kanji 月 represents both the moon in the sky and the passage of time in months. This duality has historical roots: ancient Japan used a lunar calendar, where each complete cycle of the moon marked a new month. Therefore, 月 ended up carrying both meanings in an inseparable way.

In Chinese writing, which gave rise to kanji, the character 月 originally depicted the crescent shape of the moon. Over time, its representation simplified, but it retained the visual essence. Interestingly, when used as a radical in other kanji (like in 明, which means "bright"), 月 often refers to brightness, not the concept of time.

Everyday use and common expressions

In daily life, 月[つき] appears in surprisingly varied contexts. In 今月 (こんげつ), it means "this month," while in 月見 (つきみ) it refers to the traditional moon viewing in autumn. The word also forms part of the names of the days of the week, such as 月曜日 (げつようび) for Monday, showing how the moon marked the beginning of the week in the traditional calendar.

An interesting expression is 月日が経つ (つきひがたつ), which literally means "the moon and the sun pass," but it is used to say that time flies. This type of construction reveals how natural elements like the moon are deeply intertwined with the Japanese perception of the passage of time.

Tips for memorizing 月[つき]

An effective way to memorize 月 is to associate its shape with the crescent moon. Notice how the kanji retains the characteristic curve, especially in calligraphic fonts. Another technique is to create mental connections: imagine the moon completing its cycle to mark a new month, linking the two main meanings.

For practical students, it's worth noting that 月 as "month" usually appears in the second position of compound words (as in 先月 - last month), while as "moon" it tends to come first (月見 - moon viewing). This is not an absolute rule, but it serves as a helpful guide to get started.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• つき (tsuki) - moon
• がつ (gatsu) - Month
• げつ (getsu) - month (used in formal contexts)
• きづき (kiduki) - perception or awareness
• つくり (tsukuri) - creation or construction
• つきあかり (tsukiakari) - Luz da lua
• つきひ (tsukihi) - passage of time (referring to months and days, symbolizing the flow of time)
• つきよ (tsukiyo) - moonlight night
• つきさま (tsukisama) - the moon (honorific term)

月

Romaji: tsuki
Kana: つき
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: Moon; month

Meaning in English: moon;month

Definition: A celestial object that is a satellite of Earth and shines in the sky at night.

Example Sentences - (月) tsuki

See below some example sentences:

私は毎月家賃を払い込む必要があります。

Watashi wa maitsuki yachin wo haraikomu hitsuyou ga arimasu

I need to pay rent every month.

I need to pay my rent every month.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 毎月 - Japanese adverb meaning "every month"
• 家賃 - Japanese noun that means "rent"
• を - direct object particle that indicates the object of the action, in this case "rent"
• 払い込む - Japanese verb that means "to pay (an amount) in advance"
• 必要 - Japanese adjective meaning "necessary"
• が - subject particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• あります - Japanese verb that means "to have," in the sense of "it is necessary to have."

私の月給は十分ではありません。

Watashi no gekkyū wa jūbun de wa arimasen

My monthly salary is not enough.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 月給 - monthly salary
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 十分 - adjective that means "sufficient"
• ではありません - expression indicating negation

私は来月転任します。

Watashi wa raigetsu tennin shimasu

I will be transferred to another location next month.

I will transfer next month.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "I"
• 来月 - noun that means "next month"
• 転任 - noun that means "transfer of work"
• します - verb that means "to do" or "to carry out," conjugated in the present to indicate a future action

私たちは来月引越しをする予定です。

Watashitachi wa raigetsu hikkoshi o suru yotei desu

We plan to move next month.

Let's move next month.

• 私たちは - We
• 来月 - Next month
• 引越し - Moving house
• を - object particle
• する - to do
• 予定 - Plan
• です - Ser/estar (polite form)

私たちは来月引っ越す予定です。

Watashitachi wa raigetsu hikkosu yotei desu

We plan to move next month.

We plan to move next month.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 来月 - next month in Japanese
• 引っ越す - "Change of house" in Japanese
• 予定 - "Plan" or "Programming" in Japanese
• です - Sentence-ending particle in Japanese

私の給与は毎月支払われます。

Watashi no kyuuyo wa maitsuki shiharawaremasu

My salary is paid every month.

• 私の給与 - my remuneration/salary
• は - topic particle, indicating that the theme of the sentence is "my remuneration"
• 毎月 - every month
• 支払われます - is paid

私の時間割は毎週月曜日から金曜日までです。

Watashi no jikanwari wa maishuu getsuyoubi kara kin'youbi made desu

My schedule is Monday through Friday every Monday.

• 私の時間割 - "My schedule" in Japanese
• は - Japanese topic particle
• 毎週 - "Every week" in Japanese
• 月曜日 - "Monday" in Japanese
• から - "From" in Japanese
• 金曜日 - "Friday" in Japanese
• まで - "Until" in Japanese
• です - polite way of "being" in Japanese