月 – Month / Moon (Getsu / Gatsu / Tsuki Kanji)
Learn the meaning, Onyomi and Kunyomi readings, stroke order, common vocabulary, and example sentences for the Japanese Kanji 月.
Kanji 月 Readings – Onyomi & Kunyomi
月 has both an Onyomi (Chinese-derived) reading and Kunyomi (native Japanese) readings, each used in different word contexts.
Used in compound words such as 月曜日 (getsuyoubi – Monday) and 来月 (raigetsu – next month).
Used as a standalone word meaning moon, such as 月見 (tsukimi – moon-viewing) and 満月 (mangetsu – full moon, note the compound onyomi reading here).
月 Stroke Order – How to Write 月
月 is written with 4 strokes. Follow the numbered order below to write it correctly.
💡 Tip: Write the left vertical stroke, then the top and right side as one bending stroke, then the two inner short horizontal strokes.
Common Words Using 月 (Vocabulary List)
Here are 10 essential words that use the kanji 月, worth memorizing first.
Example Sentences with 月
See 月 used in real, natural Japanese sentences with Kanji, Kana, Romaji and English meaning.
今夜は満月です。
こんやは まんげつです。
Kon'ya wa mangetsu desu.
Tonight is a full moon.
月曜日に会議があります。
げつようびに かいぎが あります。
Getsuyoubi ni kaigi ga arimasu.
There is a meeting on Monday.
来月、日本に行きます。
らいげつ、にほんに いきます。
Raigetsu, nihon ni ikimasu.
I will go to Japan next month.
空に月がきれいに見えます。
そらに つきが きれいに みえます。
Sora ni tsuki ga kirei ni miemasu.
The moon looks beautiful in the sky.
一月は一年で一番寒い月です。
いちがつは いちねんで いちばん さむい つきです。
Ichigatsu wa ichinen de ichiban samui tsuki desu.
January is the coldest month of the year.
Frequently Asked Questions About 月
What does the Kanji 月 mean?
月 means month or moon. It is one of the most common JLPT N5 kanji and appears in many everyday words such as 月曜日 (getsuyoubi, Monday) and 一月 (ichigatsu, January).
What is the Onyomi reading of 月?
The Onyomi (Chinese-derived) readings of 月 are ゲツ (getsu), as in 月曜日 (getsuyoubi, Monday), and ガツ (gatsu), used specifically for naming months, as in 四月 (shigatsu, April).
What is the Kunyomi reading of 月?
The Kunyomi (native Japanese) reading of 月 is つき (tsuki), meaning "moon," as in 月見 (tsukimi, moon-viewing).
How many strokes does 月 have?
月 is written with 4 strokes.
Is 月 a JLPT N5 kanji?
Yes, 月 is part of the official JLPT N5 kanji list and is one of the first and most frequently used kanji beginners learn.
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