月
month; moon
yuè
What does 月 mean?
月 (yuè) means both 'moon' and 'month' — the same character, because the lunar cycle is what originally defined the month in Chinese. In modern use, the two meanings rarely conflict: context decides. For months of the year, 月 attaches directly to a number: 一月 (January), 二月 (February), 三月 (March), all the way to 十二月 (December).
For duration ('three months'), you need 个: 三个月 (sān ge yuè). Two things English speakers should note: first, the difference between 三月 ('March,' a specific month) and 三个月 ('three months,' a length of time) is a beginner trap — drop or add 个 and the meaning flips; second, for 'moon' as a celestial body, modern speech almost always uses 月亮
Character breakdown
moon; month (pictograph of a crescent moon)
Memory hook: 月 is a stylized crescent moon. One moon cycle = one month. Same character does both jobs.
Measure word for 月
Example sentences
我九月去中国。
Wǒ jiǔyuè qù Zhōngguó.
I'm going to China in September.
neutral
这个月很忙。
Zhège yuè hěn máng.
This month is very busy.
spoken
我学了三个月中文。
Wǒ xué le sān ge yuè Zhōngwén.
I've studied Chinese for three months.
neutral
今晚的月亮真漂亮。
Jīnwǎn de yuèliang zhēn piàoliang.
Tonight's moon is really beautiful.
spoken
Common phrases with 月
Synonyms
月份 is a more formal / written word for 'month' as a unit on the calendar. Common in reports: 三月份的销售 (March's sales). In everyday speech you just say 三月.
Don't confuse 月 with
FAQ
Acquire by listening
Hear 月 in real Chinese, not in a flashcard.
Fluentide picks the next news episode at your level, so this word shows up again and again in real sentences. Pinyin, translation, and the episode where you heard it — every time. Free to start, no card.