6 Kanji with 月 (Getsu)｜Learn Easily with a Common Radical
Learn 6 essential N4 kanji containing the 月 (moon/month) radical all at once.
Grouping kanji with a common shape significantly improves memorization efficiency.
Compare the subtle shape differences and usages of these similar kanji to master them accurately.
How this bundle was curated
All items at a glance
| Kanji | On'yomi | Kun'yomi | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 月 | げつ / がつ | つき | moon / month |
| 明 | めい / みょう | あか(るい) | bright |
| 朝 | ちょう | あさ | morning |
| 期 | き | - | period / time |
| 望 | ぼう / もう | のぞ(む) | hope / wish |
| 朗 | ろう | ほが(らか) | cheerful / bright |
Item by item
Kun: がつ
On: げつ
moon / month
This kanji is modeled after the shape of a crescent moon in the sky. When combined with other kanji, it often indicates time or a period.
Kun: あか(るい)
On: めい
bright
A combination of 日 (sun) and 月 (moon). Having both the sun and moon together gives it the meaning of 'bright'.
Kun: あさ
On: ちょう
morning
Represents the early morning when the sun is rising through the grass and the moon (月) has not yet set.
Kun: き
On: き
period / time
其 provides the reading, while 月 (moon) signifies 'time' or 'deadline', resulting in the meaning of a certain period.
Kun: のぞ(む)
On: ぼう
hope / wish
Derived from standing on tiptoes to gaze at the moon (月), it carries the meaning of 'looking far away' or 'hoping'.
Kun: ほが(らか)
On: ろう
cheerful / bright
Combining 良 (good) and 月 (moon), it represents a clear and bright personality or weather, like moonlight.
Practice with examples
How to decide when unsure
- Kanji where 月 (moon) is located on the right side (明, 朝, 期, 朗) generally carry meanings related to time, periods, or brightness.
- When 月 appears on the left side of a kanji (known as the 'meat' radical, or 'nikuzuki'), it usually represents body parts (e.g., 腹, 腕). It is best to remember this distinction from the kanji in this bundle, which represent time or brightness.
- Both 明 and 朗 mean 'bright', but 明 is primarily used for a state of physical brightness or clarity, while 朗 is used to describe a clear, cheerful personality or mood.
Common mistakes
Both kanji have nuances related to 'waiting' or 'time', making them easy to confuse. 期 is used to indicate a 'set period or deadline' (e.g., 期間), while 待 is used for the 'action of waiting for a person or time' (e.g., 待つ).
Wrong example: 試験の待間(たいかん)が長いです。/Correct example: 試験の期間(きかん)が長いです。
When expressing a length of time, '期間' (period) is the correct expression.
Mini quiz
Which of the following is the correct Japanese translation for 'I greet with a bright smile every morning'?
One-line summary
Kanji containing 月 (moon) share a common theme of time and brightness. Understanding the meaning of the radical makes memorizing kanji much easier.
FAQ
How do I distinguish 月 when used as a radical from the 'meat' radical (nikuzuki)?
Generally, when it is located on the left side of a kanji (e.g., 肝, 腹), it is often the 'meat' radical (a variation of 肉) representing body parts. On the other hand, when located on the right side (e.g., 明, 期), it is closely related to the original meaning of the moon (月), such as time or brightness. Since there are exceptions, it is best to memorize them along with vocabulary words.
What is the difference between 明 and 朗?
明 (あかるい) basically refers to physical brightness, such as bright light or vivid colors, and is also used for a bright personality. On the other hand, 朗 (ほがらか) is mainly used to describe cloudless, clear weather, or a person's cheerful and carefree mood and personality.
