Meaning

Primary

April

Word Type

noun

Explanation

in Japanese means "moon" but it also means "month." Why? Probably because the moon takes about a month to get through its cycles. So, what's the fourth moon of the year? Here's a hint, it's the same as the fourth month of the year: April.

Reading

しがつ
  • 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 since this is a specific month name, it's going to use the がつ reading. Here's a mnemonic to help you remember that:

In April, you habitually eat sheep guts (しがつ). April is the time for picnics under the cherry blossoms in Japan, and there's nothing you like more than rolling out your picnic blanket and going to town on a big ol' bowl of sheep guts.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 四月の夕べ

    an April evening

    四月のスケジュール

    the schedule for April

    四月のミーティング

    a meeting in April

Context Sentences

四月一日はエイプリルフールです。

April 1st is April Fool's Day.

四月まで、あと三日だ。

Only three more days until April.

四月は、力いっぱいがんばります。

In April, I will try really hard to do my best.

Kanji Composition