Meaning

Primary

Moonlight

Alternative

Moonbeam

Word Type

noun

Explanation

The moon light (not sunlight!) can be bright sometimes. This is night when you're stumbling home from a nomikai after work. What is this light from the moon called? It's moon light. This word can also mean a moonbeam as well.

Reading

げっこう
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. Since has two on'yomi readings, here's a mnemonic to help you remember which one to use:

The moonlight brings out a strange creature known as a Geck-こういち (げっこう), which are geckos with the head of こういち. Imagine a swarm of them all crawling out of their crevices once the moon comes out.

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 月光にきらめく

    to twinkle in the moonlight

    月光にうかぶ

    to glow in the moonlight

    月光にかがやく

    to shine in the moonlight

Context Sentences

夕べは、月光がとてもきれいでした。

The moonlight was very beautiful last night.

白い月光がカーテンから入ってくる。

White moonlight enters through the curtains.

月光の中に、月の王女がいた。

In the moonlight, there was a princess of the moon.

Kanji Composition