Meaning

Primary

April

Word Type

noun

Explanation

in Japanese means "moon" but it also means "month." Why? Probably because the moon takes about a month to get through its cycles. So, what's the fourth moon of the year? Here's a hint, it's the same as the fourth month of the year: April.

Reading

しがつ
  • Kyoko
    (Tokyo accent, female)
  • Kenichi
    (Tokyo accent, male)

Explanation

This is a jukugo word, which usually means on'yomi readings from the kanji. has two on'yomi readings, but it always uses the がつ reading in the names of the months, so here's a mnemonic to help you remember that:

In April, you habitually eat sheep guts (しがつ). It's a tradition you started many years ago, and now you just can't stop eating sheep guts every April. Delicious!

Context

Patterns of Use

Common Word Combinations

  • 四月の夕べ

    an April evening

    四月のスケジュール

    the schedule for April

    四月のミーティング

    a meeting in April

Context Sentences

四月一日はエイプリルフールです。

April 1st is April Fool's Day.

四月まで、あと三日だ。

Only three more days until April.

四月は、力いっぱいがんばります。

In April, I will try really hard to do my best.

Kanji Composition