Translation and Meaning of: 三日月 - mikazuki

The word 「三日月」 (mikazuki) is a Japanese term that refers to the phase of the moon known as "crescent moon." This phase is characterized by a thin slice of the moon visible in the sky, resembling a curved blade or arc. The expression 「三日月」 unfolds into three kanji characters: 「三」 which means "three," 「日」 which means "day," and 「月」 which means "moon." Together, they describe the state of the moon about three days after the new moon, when the illuminated part begins to grow.

The etymology of 「三日月」 is interesting, as it reflects the observation of lunar cycles, an ancient and important practice in many cultures. The choice of the number three is connected to tradition and lunar calendars, in which the crescent moon generally becomes visible three days after the new moon. The radical of 「月」 is often associated not only with the moon but also with months, an underlying connection to the crucial role of the moon in measuring time.

In addition to its astronomical definition, 「三日月」 carries cultural and aesthetic connotations in Japan. The crescent moon is a popular symbol in Japanese art, poetry, and literature. The image of the crescent moon frequently appears in contexts that evoke feelings of beauty, transition, and the ephemeral nature of life. Often, the aesthetics of this lunar phase are highlighted in traditional Japanese art pieces, such as painted screens and ceramics.

These cultural and etymological aspects show how the word 「三日月」 goes beyond a simple astronomical description. The language and symbols associated with 「三日月」 reflect a deep connection between the observation of nature and artistic expression, revealing the unique way Japanese culture incorporates natural elements into its traditions and historical values. This appreciation for the ephemeral beauty of nature is a distinctive feature of the Japanese aesthetic concept known as "wabi-sabi," which finds a continuous inspiration in the vision of the delicate lunar arc.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• 弦月 (Gengetsu) - Crescent moon
• 新月 (Shingetsu) - New moon, phase without visible light
• 上弦の月 (Jougen no Tsuki) - Waxing crescent, visible after the new moon
• 下弦の月 (Kagen no Tsuki) - Waning moon, visible after the full moon

三日月

Romaji: mikazuki
Kana: みかずき
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2, jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: New Moon; Crescent moon

Meaning in English: new moon;crescent moon

Definition: The moon looks like a dog's leg during its waxing and waning phases.

Example Sentences - (三日月) mikazuki

See below some example sentences:

三日月が輝く夜空は美しいです。

Mikazuki ga kagayaku yozora wa utsukushii desu

The night when the crescent moon shines is beautiful.

The night sky where the crescent moon shines is beautiful.

• 三日月 - means "crescent moon" and is represented by the ideogram 三日月.
• が - grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case, "crescent moon".
• 輝く - verb that means "to shine" and is represented by the ideogram 輝く.
• 夜空 - means "night sky" and is represented by the characters 夜空.
• は - grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "night sky".
• 美しい - adjective that means "beautiful" and is represented by the ideogram 美しい.
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite form of the sentence.