Word in Japanese/time
Moon in Japanese
Moon translates as 月 (tsuki). Below is a full breakdown with stroke counts, alternate writings, an example sentence, and tattoo design notes.
What it means
月 (tsuki, つき) means moon.
| Kanji | Meaning | Strokes | On'yomi | Kun'yomi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 月 | moon, month | 4 | getsu, gatsu | tsuki |
Compounds and related words
Common Japanese vocabulary built around this kanji.
| Word | Romaji | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 月光 | gekkou | moonlight |
| 満月 | mangetsu | full moon |
| 三日月 | mikazuki | crescent moon |
Example sentence
夜空に月が輝いている。
Yozora ni tsuki ga kagayaite iru.
The moon is shining in the night sky.
Tattoo design notes
月 is the single kanji for moon, four strokes, and reads cleanly at any size. The same character also means month — Japanese counts months by the moon. For a crescent-moon meaning, 三日月 (mikazuki) is the famous three-character compound. Pair with 太陽 (taiyou, sun) or 星 (hoshi, star) for celestial sets.
Cultural notes
月 doubles as the word for month and gives Monday its name (月曜日, getsuyoubi). The moon is heavily romanticised in Japanese poetry, particularly in tanka and haiku autumn imagery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say moon in Japanese?
Moon in Japanese is 月, romanised as tsuki and written in hiragana as つき. 月 doubles as the word for month and gives Monday its name (月曜日, getsuyoubi). The moon is heavily romanticised in Japanese poetry, particularly in tanka and haiku autumn imagery.
What does the kanji 月 mean?
月 means "moon, month" (4 strokes; on'yomi: getsu, gatsu; kun'yomi: tsuki). Together the word reads as tsuki.
Is 月 a good kanji for a tattoo?
月 is the single kanji for moon, four strokes, and reads cleanly at any size. The same character also means month — Japanese counts months by the moon. For a crescent-moon meaning, 三日月 (mikazuki) is the famous three-character compound. Pair with 太陽 (taiyou, sun) or 星 (hoshi, star) for celestial sets.
How do you write moon in hiragana?
In hiragana, moon is written as つき, which represents the sound tsuki. The kanji form 月 is used in everyday writing; hiragana is used when the kanji is too difficult, for emphasis, or in children's text.
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