Translation guide
The English word 'moon' primarily refers to Earth's natural satellite. In Japanese, the most common word is 月 (つき). This guide covers how to talk about the moon in various contexts, from everyday conversation to poetic expressions.
月
moon
Referring to the moon as the celestial body we see in the sky.
The standard word for the moon. Used in everyday conversation.
今夜は月がきれいですね。
The moon is beautiful tonight, isn't it?
月が出ている。
The moon is out.
A personified, affectionate, or child-friendly term for the moon. Often used in stories or when speaking to children.
お月様が笑っているよ。
The moon is smiling!
A literary or classical term for the moon, often used in poetry or traditional contexts. Not used in daily speech.
太陰暦
lunar calendar
Referring to natural satellites of other planets.
The scientific term for a satellite or moon. Used for moons of other planets.
木星には多くの衛星がある。
Jupiter has many moons.
Can be used for moons of other planets in casual contexts, but 衛星 is more precise.
土星の月タイタン
Saturn's moon Titan
Referring to the light from the moon.
The standard word for moonlight. Can be used in both literal and poetic contexts.
月光が部屋に差し込んでいた。
Moonlight was streaming into the room.
A more colloquial term for moonlight, emphasizing the brightness or illumination.
Describing the different shapes of the moon as seen from Earth.
Referring to the traditional Japanese custom of appreciating the moon, especially the harvest moon.
Moon viewing, a traditional autumn event. Often involves eating dango and admiring the full moon.
今夜は月見をしよう。
Let's do moon viewing tonight.
月見団子を食べる。
We eat moon-viewing dumplings.
Using 'moon' to mean a month, often in poetic or archaic contexts.
Use 月 for Earth's moon in everyday contexts. Use 衛星 for moons of other planets or in scientific discussions. 月 can also be used for other moons casually, but 衛星 is clearer.
The moon holds a special place in Japanese aesthetics. Phrases like 月がきれいですね (The moon is beautiful, isn't it?) are famously associated with indirect confessions of love, attributed to Natsume Soseki.
今夜は月がきれいですね。
The moon is beautiful tonight.
明日は満月です。
There will be a full moon tomorrow.
月明かりで道を歩いた。
We walked along the path by moonlight.
新月の夜は星がよく見える。
On a new moon night, you can see the stars well.
三日月が西の空に浮かんでいた。
A crescent moon hung in the western sky.
半月が明るく輝いている。
The half moon is shining brightly.