Lingual Ninja! - Japanese Lessons Online



Jul 30, 2018


In previous article, we learned how to count numbers in Japanese!
  Numbers >>

In this article, I would like to show one example how to use the numbers.

It is "Months"!

In English, we just say the name of the months, like January, June, October, and so on.

However, in Japanese, months don't have names!
So they just use numbers to say the months!

What to call months in Japanese is below:

January１がつichi gatsu
February２がつni gatsu
March３がつsan gatsu
April４がつshi gatsu
May５がつgo gatsu
June６がつroku gatsu
July７がつshichi gatsu
August８がつhachi gatsu
September９がつku gatsu
October１０がつjyu gatsu
November１１がつjyu ichi gatsu
December１２がつjyu ni gatsu

  Romaji >>

'がつ (gatsu)' means 'month'.

If you have already remembered how to count numbers in Japanese from the previous article, this is not so difficult, isn't it?

However, there are still some items you need to consider...

Why is April 'SHI GATSU' instead of 'YON GATSU'!?
Why is July 'SHICHI GATSU' instead of 'NANA GATSU'!?
Why is September 'KU GATSU' instead of 'KYU GATSU'!?

I am sorry, this is just a Japanese habit.
It is just because it is easier to pronounce.

When you practice months, please just remember:

      - '4 (yon)' becomes 'shi'.
      - '7 (nana)' becomes 'shichi'.
      - '9 (kyu)' becomes 'ku'.

Actually, there are more cases where the name of the numbers changes.
But in most cases, it is just because of habit or to make pronunciation easier.

For example, '40' is 'yon-jyu' normally.
However, if the number '40' is the age of someone, Japanese people sometimes say 'shi-jyu'.

In this case, both '40 (yon-jyu)' and '40 (shi-jyu)' can be used for saying '40 years old'.
(though 'yon-jyu' sounds more common)

I am sorry that it was not explained logically.
After you listen to many Japanese phrases, you will get used to those changes.

I would like to recommend you to listen to a lot of Japanese, not only just remembering grammar or words.
The reason I think so is written in the article below:

If you want to know how to say the seasons in Japanese, please check this:

Also, in the next article, I will explain about the days of the week!
  Days of the week >>

I hope this article helps you remember the months!
Thank you for reading!

Related articles:

    Seasons >>

    Days of the week >>

    Time of the Day >>

    Numbers >>

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