Meaning

Primary

January

Word Type

noun

Explanation

Since the kanji mean both moon and month (because a moon cycle is about a month, presumably), what is the number one month? In English we have an actual name for it, and that name is January.

Reading

いちがつ
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. has two on'yomi readings, but it always uses the がつ reading in the names of the months, so here's a mnemonic to help you remember that:

January always gives you itchy guts (いちがつ). It's a weird affliction that comes around every January and makes your guts incredibly itchy. Probably due to all that overindulgence over the new year.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 一月一日

    January 1

    一月八日

    January 8

    一月九日

    January 9

Context Sentences

ウェディングパーティーは一月でした。

The wedding reception was in January.

一月は、デザイナーとのミーティングがある。

In January, we have a meeting with the designer.

一月には、このホテルを出て行くことにしたよ。

I decided to leave this hotel in January.

Kanji Composition