Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
月 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
月yuèmoonHSK 1, m, 4 strokes, radical 月, rank #291, Easy
月yuèmonthHSK 1, m, 4 strokes, radical 月, rank #291, Easy
月yuèmonthlyHSK 1, unknown, 4 strokes, radical 月, rank #291, Easy
yuè(yue4) T4
  1. 1moon
  2. 2month
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

月yuè(yue4)

The character 月 (yuè) primarily means 'moon' and 'month.' It is commonly used in contexts related to timekeeping, such as referring to months of the year, and it evokes imagery of the moon in literature and poetry. The character can also be found in various compound words and phrases associated with lunar cycles and monthly events.

Strokes4Radical月Frequency#291DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the moon holds significant symbolism, particularly during festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival, where families gather to admire the full moon and share mooncakes, celebrating reunion and harmony.

Memory Tip

Imagine the moon (月) glowing brightly in the night sky. The round shape of the moon resembles the character itself. To help remember 'yuè,' think of 'you' (sounds like 'yu') enjoying a peaceful evening under the moonlight.

Meanings of 月

yuè(yue4)
1moon
2month
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 月

月Simplified
4Strokes
月Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#291Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L1HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 月

JasonAmy

Podcast: 月

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 月

Quick Contrast

月 (yuè, moon/month) vs 旬 (xún, ten-day period) — use 月 for general months or moon references, while 旬 specifically refers to a ten-day segment within a month.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 月 with other time-related characters. It's important to note that while both 月 and 个月 (gè yuè) can refer to 'month,' the former is more about the concept of month, while the latter is a measure word. Be cautious about pronunciation; the tone is crucial, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

月 is an HSK Level 1 character, making it one of the first words learners will encounter. It connects well with other basic time-related words like 年 (nián, year) and 日 (rì, day). Focus on using it in simple sentences to describe time intervals.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is using 月 incorrectly with measure words, such as saying '月个' instead of '一个月'. Always use 个 (gè) as the measure word for months.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 月

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 月 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Etymology of 月

Formation TypePictographic 象形
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of the moon.

Memory Hint

A crescent moon

Learn more about Pictograph (象形字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 月

Pictograph of the moon.

  1. 1The giveawayA crescent moon
  2. 2On the record aspictographic — someone drew the thing itself.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 月? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 月?

Decomposition of 月

IDS Structure⿵冂二
月Full Character
=
冂jiong1
enclosing
二er4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 月?

How to say moon in Chinese

“moon” in Chinese is月yuè

The character 月 (yuè) primarily means 'moon' and 'month.' It is commonly used in contexts related to timekeeping, such as referring to months of the year, and it evokes imagery of the moon in literature and poetry. The character can also be found in various compound words and phrases associated with lunar cycles and monthly events.

When to use 月

Learners often confuse 月 with other time-related characters. It's important to note that while both 月 and 个月 (gè yuè) can refer to 'month,' the former is more about the concept of month, while the latter is a measure word. Be cautious about pronunciation; the tone is crucial, as mispronouncing it can change the meaning.

月 or something close to it

月 (yuè, moon/month) vs 旬 (xún, ten-day period) — use 月 for general months or moon references, while 旬 specifically refers to a ten-day segment within a month.

What learners get wrong

A common mistake is using 月 incorrectly with measure words, such as saying '月个' instead of '一个月'. Always use 个 (gè) as the measure word for months.

Write 月

月

Practice writing 月 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 月

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

2026年3____10日。

March 10, 2026.

Example Sentences for 月 (22)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
日新月异的世界使这家公司感到了压力。

rì xīn yuè yì de shì jiè shǐ zhè jiā gōng sī gǎn dào le yā lì。

A changing world has put pressures on the corporation.
2
三方将在下个月会面,以解决余下的分歧。

sān fāng jiāng zài xià gè yuè huì miàn, , yǐ jiě jué yú xià de fēn。

The three parties will meet next month to work out remaining differences.
3
大致的估计费用为每月9,000万美元。

dà zhì de gū jì fèi yòng wéi měi yuè9,000 9,000 wàn měi。

Ballpark estimates indicate a price tag of $90 million a month.
4
透支的客户每月要缴纳5英镑的费用。

tòu zhī de kè hù měi yuè yào jiǎo nà5 5 yīng bàng de fèi。

Customers who arrange overdrafts will face a monthly charge of £
5
每个月的彩池奖金总额达1,350万英镑。

měi gè yuè de cǎi chí jiǎng jīn zǒng é dá1,350 1,350 wàn yīng。

Each month the total prize kitty is £5 million.
6
把你的眉毛修剪成越往外眼角越细的月牙形。

bǎ nǐ de méi máo xiū jiǎn chéng yuè wǎng wài yǎn jiǎo yuè xì de yuè yá xíng。

Taper the shape of your eyebrows towards the outer corners.
7
我是,呃,6月底来到这里的。

wǒ shì, ,,6 è ,6 yuè dǐ lái dào zhè。

I've been here, oh, since the end of June.
8
双卧室的公寓每月房租是953.33英镑。

shuāng wò shì de gōng yù měi yuè fáng zū shì953.33 953.33 yīng。

The monthly rent for a two-bedroom flat would be £
9
由于需求量上升,去年11月,再版已是势在必行。

yóu yú xū qiú liáng shàng shēng, , qù11 nián, 11 yuè , zài bǎn yǐ shì shì。

Demand picked up and a reprint was required last November.
10
6月份的出口额上升了1.5%,创下309.1亿美元的历史最高纪录。

6 6 yuè fèn de chū kǒu é shàng shēng1.5%, le 1.5%,309.1 chuàng xià 309.1 yì měi yuán de lì shǐ zuì。

Exports in June rose 5% to a record $91 billion.
11
今晚的月亮特别圆。

Jīn wǎn de yuèliàng tèbié yuán.

The moon is especially round tonight.
12
孩子们在院子里看月亮。

Háizi men zài yuànzi lǐ kàn yuèliàng.

The children are watching the moon in the yard.
13
月亮照在湖面上,很美。

Yuèliàng zhào zài húmiàn shàng, hěn měi.

The moon shines on the lake, it's beautiful.
14
我们晚上去山上看月亮吧。

Wǒmen wǎnshang qù shān shàng kàn yuèliàng ba.

Let's go to the mountain to see the moon tonight.
15
晚上,月亮挂在天上,很漂亮。

Wǎnshang, yuèlìang guà zài tiānshàng, hěn piàoliang.

At night, the moon hangs in the sky, very beautiful.
16
我喜欢在海边看月亮。

Wǒ xǐhuān zài hǎibiān kàn yuèlìang.

I like to watch the moon by the sea.
17
今晚的月亮特别圆。

Jīn wǎn de yuèliàng tèbié yuán.

The moon is especially round tonight.
18
孩子们在院子里看月亮。

Háizi men zài yuànzi lǐ kàn yuèliàng.

The children are watching the moon in the yard.
19
月亮照在湖面上,很美。

Yuèliàng zhào zài húmiàn shàng, hěn měi.

The moon shines on the lake, it's beautiful.
20
我们晚上去山上看月亮吧。

Wǒmen wǎnshang qù shān shàng kàn yuèliàng ba.

Let's go to the mountain to see the moon tonight.
21
晚上,月亮挂在天上,很漂亮。

Wǎnshang, yuèlìang guà zài tiānshàng, hěn piàoliang.

At night, the moon hangs in the sky, very beautiful.
22
我喜欢在海边看月亮。

Wǒ xǐhuān zài hǎibiān kàn yuèlìang.

I like to watch the moon by the sea.

Word Family of 月

Compounds450
能Neng2surname Neng
用yong4to use
明Ming2Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
望wang4full moon
朋peng2friend
服fu2clothes
肯ken3old variant of 肯[kěn]
期qi1variant of 期[qī]
脑nao3brain
脸lian3face
脱tuo1to shed
背bei1variant of 背[bēi]
脚jiao3foot
胜sheng4victory
胡Hu2surname Hu
脏zang1viscera
股gu3share
骨gu3bone
腿tui3leg
钥yao4key
朝Chao2abbr. for 朝鮮
胁xie2flank (the side of one's torso)
胸xiong1variant of 胸[xiōng]
阴Yin1surname Yin
育yu4to have children
青Qing1abbr. for 青海[Qīng hǎi], Qinghai Province
朗lang3clear
胆dan3the gall
胎tai1fetus
肥fei2fat
胖pan2healthy
肤fu1skin
脉mai4old variant of 脈
甩shuai3to throw
肚du3tripe
胞bao1placenta
肩jian1shoulder
肠chang2intestines
胶jiao1to glue
臂bi4arm
胃wei4stomach
脆cui4old variant of 脆[cuì]
脖bo2neck
肌ji1flesh
膀bang3upper arm
腰yao1waist
肿zhong3to swell
肺fei4lung
肖Xiao1surname Xiao
腾teng2to soar
霸ba4variant of 霸[bà]
膝xi1old variant of 膝[xī]
脾pi2spleen
腊la4December; year's end sacrifice; dried meat
腔qiang1cavity of body
胳ge1variant of 胳[gē]
膊bo2shoulder
腹fu4abdomen
肝gan1liver
肾shen4kidney
膏gao1ointment
脂zhi1fat
膜mo2membrane
肮ang1dirty, filthy
腕wan4wrist
肢zhi1limb
腺xian4gland
祭ji4to sacrifice to, to worship
脊ji2spine, backbone; ridge
臀tun2buttocks
膛tang2chest (of body)
肋le1ribs; chest
腥xing1fishy (smell)
豚tun2suckling pig; to suckle
胀zhang4dropsical
腻ni4greasy
肪fang2animal fat
肘zhou3elbow, shoulder; to help someone carry a load
脐qi2navel; belly, underside
胰yi2pancreas; soap
甫fu3to begin; man, father; great; a distance of ten li
胺an4amine
肛gang1anus
腌yan1to salt, to cure; to pickle, to marinate
膨peng2swollen
脓nong2pus
腓fei2leg, calf; to wither, to decay
惰duo4lazy
胚pei1embryo; an unfinished thing
逾yu2to jump over; to exceed, to surpass
脯fu3dried meat; preserved fruits
腋ye4armpit
朔shuo4beginning; the first day of the lunar month
滕Teng2an ancient state in Shandong province
炙zhi4to roast, to broil; to cauterize
腮sai1jaw; gills
胱guang1bladder
胯kua4pelvis, groin; thighs
膳shan4meals, provisions
朦meng2dim, obscure; the condition of the moon
臆yi4chest, breast; thoughts, feelings
腱jian4tendon, sinew
臊sao1shy, bashful; rank, fetid; the smell of urine
腑fu3bowels, entrails, viscera
胧long2blurry, obscured; the condition or appearance of the moon
胫jing4calf, shinbone
俞shu4to consent, to approve; surname
朕zhen4the royal "we", for imperial use
腆tian3good, strong; prosperous; protruding
腼mian3modest, bashful
肓huang1abdominal cavity; the area between the heart and diaphragm
肽tai4peptide
胛jia3shoulder; shoulder blade
膈ge2diaphragm
臃yong1to swell up; swollen, fat
朧long2blurry, obscured; the condition or appearance of the moon
肱gong1forearm
膘biao1sfat; rump
胭yan1cosmetics, rouge
肼jing3hydrazine
腭e4palate, the roof of the mouth
胴dong4the large intestine; the body
嬴Ying2victory; to win; surname
膺ying1breast, chest; to bear, to undertake
腴yu2fat; rich, fertile; soft, plump
潸shan1tearful; to weep
胤yin4heir, successor; progeny, posterity
胝zhi1corn, callus
胥Xu1all, together, mutually
胼pian2corn, callus
胄zhou4helmet; descendant
朊ruan3protein
脍kuai4minced meat, minced fish
腈jing1acrylic
膠jiao1glue, gum, resin, rubber; sticky; to glue
搖yao2to rock, to shake; to swing, to wave
膦lin4phosphine
肟wo4oxime, oximide, -oxil
腘
胗zhen1measles, pustules, rash
脅xie2to threaten, to coerce; ribs, flank
腚ding4buttocks
脇
脲niao4urea
閒xian2leisure, idle time; tranquil, peaceful, calm
隋Sui2the Sui dynasty; surname
騰teng2to fly, to soar; to gallop, to prance; rising, steaming
胍gua1guanidine
肫zhun1gizzard; honest, sincere
膑bin4kneecap
傜
刖yue4cutting off the feet as a form of punishment
塍cheng2a raised path between fields, a dike
媠tuo3beautiful
媵ying4concubine; escort; a maid who accompanies a bride to her new home
徭yao2conscripted labor
愮
抈
曌
朏
朐Qu2warm
朓
朘
朙
朠
朣
猺
玥
縢
繇yao2cause, means, reason
肊
肕
肙yuan4a small worm; to twist; to surround; empty
肜Rong2to sacrifice on two successive days
肬
肭na4fat, blubber; a seal
肰ran2dog meat
肵
肸
肹
胂shen4arsine
胇
胊
胏
胑
胙zuo4meat offered in sacrifice to one's ancestors
胠qu1to open; to throw away
胦
胨dong4peptone
胩ka3carbylamine; isocyanide
胪lu2to arrange, to display
胲hai3hydroxylamine
胹
胻
脘wan3abdominal cavity
脝
脞cuo3minced meat; trifles
脡
脢mei2flesh
脤
脥
脧
脨
脬pao1bladder
脰
脳
脶luo2fingerprint
脷li4beef tongue
脿
腍
腒
腜
腠cou4subcutaneous tissue
腧shu4acupoint
腩nan3brisket, ribs; belly meat
腬
腯
腶
腽wa4fat, blubber
膂lü3backbone, spinal column
膇
膋
膌
膔
膗
膙
膟
膣zhi4vagina
膪chuai4pork
膫Liao2omentum; the fat covering the intestines
膰
膲jiao1the triple foci, the three visceral cavities
膴
膵
膷
膻shan1a flock of sheep; a rank odor
臁lian2leg, calf
臄
臇
臈
臌gu3swelling, edema; puffy, bloated
臐
臑
臓
臖
臛
臜za1dirty, filthy
臞
蝓yu2snail
螣
蠃luo3solitary wasp; paper wasp
豋
賸
邎
霡mai4drizzle, light rain; favors, gifts
靑qing1blue
頯
鸁
黱
亙gen4through; to extend across; to, from
仴
冐
勝sheng4victory; to excel, to truimph
堶
姢
媱
將jiang1the future, what will be; ready, prepared; a general
岄
幐
朌
朎
朑
朒
朖
朜
朞
朡
朤
朥
枂
楕
榣
榺
洕
浳
湇
潃
猒yan1
瑤yao2precious jade
甧
眀
窰
羘
肍
肎
肐
肑
肒
肔
肗
肞
肣
肦
肧
肨
肳
肶
肷qian3the area between the waist and hips
肻
胅
胈
胉
胋
胐
胒
胓
胕
胘
胟
胢
胣
胮
胵
胷
胿
脀
脁
脃
脄
脈mai4a pulse; arteries, veins; blood vessels
脋
脌
脎sa4an organic compound
脒mi3to open; to throw away
脕
脗
脙
脛jing4calf, shinbone
脜
脟
脠
脣chun2lips
脦
脩xiu1dried meat
脪
脫tuo1to take off, to shed; to escape from
脭
脮
脴
脵
脹zhang4swelling, inflation
脺
脻
脼
脽
腀
腁
腂
腃
腄
腅
腇
腉
腎shen4kidney
腏
腖dong4peptone
腗
腙zong1an organic compound
腛
腝
腞
腟
腡
腢
腣
腤
腦nao3brain
腨
腪
腫zhong3swelling; swollen; to swell
腲
腳jiao3leg, foot; foundation, base
腵
腷
腸chang2intestines; emotions; sausage
膁
膃wa4fat, blubber
膄
膅
膆
膉
膍
膎
膒
膓
膕guo2hollow, cavity
膖
膞
膡
膢
膤
膧
膩ni4greasy, oily, smooth; bored, tired
膬
膭
膮
膯
膱
膶
膸
膹
膼
膽dan3gallbladder; gall, guts, courage
膾kuai4minced meat, minced fish
膿nong2pus
臅
臉lian3face, cheek; reputation
臍qi2navel; belly, underside
臎
臏
臒
臔
臕
臗
臘la4December; year's end sacrifice; dried meat
臙
臚lu2to arrange, to display
臝
臟zang4organs, viscera; dirty, filthy
臢za1dirty, filthy
蚏
蜰
覇
詧
謄teng2to copy, to transcribe
謠yao2rumor; folksong, ballad
贏ying2to win, to gain; surplus, profit
跀
迌
遀sui2to walk
遙yao2distant, remote
酳
鈅
颻yao2floating in the air; drifting on the wind
鬌
鰖
鰧
鰩
鷂yao4sparrow hawk; Circus species (various)
𦟌
Words Containing This Character20
月yuèmonth
月份yuèfènmonth
月亮yuèliangthe moon
蜜月mìyuèhoneymoon
每月each month
月球yuèqiúthe moon
岁月suìyuèyears歲月
月光moonlight
五月May
本月this month
上个月shànggèyuèlast month上個月
六月June
四月April
一月January
三月March
十月October
九月September
月经menstruation月經
八月August
七月July
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 能 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 月

You can say '这个月我很忙' (zhège yuè wǒ hěn máng), which means 'I am very busy this month.'

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 月?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.