半月
also: はんつき
Meanings
1
Only with reading はんげつ
Astronomical term for the moon when half of its visible disk is illuminated. Also used in everyday language for the shape.
Tonight the half-moon looks beautiful.
2
half a month
A period of about 15 days. Commonly used in contexts like schedules, deadlines, or durations.
Let's meet again in half a month.
This medicine is enough for half a month.
3
Only with reading はんげつ
Describes a semicircular shape. Less common than the half-moon sense; often used in descriptive or technical contexts.
The children lined up in a semicircle.
Usage patterns
- 半月が浮かぶa half-moon hangs in the sky
A half-moon hung in the night sky.
- 半月かかるto take about half a month
I was told the repair would take about half a month.
- 半月形の〈物〉a semicircular-shaped ~
I put a semicircular table in the room.
- 半月ほど〈動詞〉to do something for about half a month
I ended up being hospitalized for about half a month.