名めい月げつ

noun

harvest moon; mid-autumn moon

Specifically the full moon on the 15th night of the 8th lunar month (around September). Strongly associated with moon-viewing traditions. Often appears in the phrase 中秋の名月.

See also: 中秋の名月 (ちゅうしゅうのめいげつ) · 中秋 (ちゅうしゅう)

• 今こん夜やは中ちゅう秋しゅうの名めい月げつです。

  Tonight is the harvest moon.

• 名めい月げつを眺ながめながら団だん子ごを食たべた。

  We ate dango while gazing at the harvest moon.

noun

bright moon; full moon

Only when written 明月

General term for a bright or full moon, not limited to the autumn harvest moon. This sense is restricted to the 明月 spelling, but 名月 is also used.

• 明めい月げつが夜よ空ぞらに輝かがやいていた。

  A bright moon was shining in the night sky.