ζ
Moon, Month
γ€γ (tsuki)
JLPT N5
Interesting Fact
The kanji ζ means both "moon" and "month." That's not a coincidence. Long before modern calendars existed, people tracked time by watching the moon change shape. One full cycle of the moon became one month.
Memory Trick
Think of ζ as a crescent moon viewed from the side, with the two inner lines showing the moon's illuminated surface.
Readings
Onyomi: γ²γ (getsu), γ¬γ (gatsu)
Kunyomi: γ€γ (tsuki)
Example Words
ζ
γ€γ (tsuki)
Moon
ζζζ₯
γγ€γγγ³ (getsuyoubi)
Monday
δ»ζ
γγγγ€ (kongetsu)
This month
ζ₯ζ
γγγγ€ (raigetsu)
Next month
Example Sentence
δ»ζγ―εΏγγγ§γγ
γγγγ€ γ― γγγγγ γ§γγ
kongetsu wa isogashii desu
This month is busy.