Cette page dans ta langue
English فارسی العربية Deutsch Español 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A2 noun 9 min de lecture

何月

Exemples 何月 en 30 secondes
Explication 何月 in your Level:
At the A1 level, learners are introduced to '何月' (nangatsu) as a basic tool for identifying dates. The focus is on simple identification: 'What month is it now?' or 'What month is your birthday?'. Students learn that Japanese months are logical—just a number plus the word for month. At this stage, the primary goal is to recognize the sound 'nangatsu' and respond with a simple number like 'ichigatsu' (January). Learners are taught to use it with the copula 'desu' (to be) to form basic questions like 'Nan-gatsu desu ka?'. There is no complex particle usage yet; the emphasis is on memorizing the 12 months and being able to ask which one it is. This is often taught alongside 'Nan-nichi' (what day) to help students navigate their first interactions in Japan, such as checking into a hotel or attending a class. The cultural context at A1 is usually limited to personal information and immediate surroundings.
Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète
At the A2 level, learners begin to integrate '何月' into more complex sentence structures involving particles like 'ni' (in), 'kara' (from), and 'made' (until). Instead of just asking 'What month is it?', an A2 learner can ask 'In what month do you go to Japan?' (Nan-gatsu ni Nihon ni ikimasu ka?). This level requires understanding the distinction between a point in time (Nan-gatsu) and a duration (Nan-kagetsu). A2 learners are expected to handle basic scheduling, such as asking when a vacation starts or when a project is due. They also learn to use 'Nan-gatsu' with nouns using the particle 'no', as in 'Nan-gatsu no tesuto' (Which month's test?). This expands their ability to describe events and objects in relation to the calendar. The vocabulary surrounding '何月' expands to include seasonal words, allowing for simple conversations about weather and seasonal activities.
At the B1 level, '何月' is used in more nuanced discussions about plans, habits, and social expectations. Learners can use it in embedded questions, such as 'I don't know what month the exam is' (Nan-gatsu ni shiken ga aru ka wakarimasen). They also begin to understand the register differences, using 'Nan-gatsu deshou ka' in more formal settings. B1 learners are expected to use '何月' to discuss recurring events and trends, such as 'In what month does the rainy season usually begin in this region?'. They are also more adept at using '何月' with conditional forms, like 'If it's in what month, will it be cheaper?'. At this level, the focus shifts from simple information gathering to more fluid conversation and planning. Learners also start to encounter '何月' in written texts like news reports or business emails, where it might be paired with words like 'yotei' (plan) or 'kigen' (deadline).
Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète
At the B2 level, '何月' appears in discussions regarding fiscal cycles, historical comparisons, and administrative procedures. Learners should be comfortable using it in complex professional contexts, such as 'In what month should we expect the results of the quarterly audit?'. They also understand the stylistic nuances of using '何月' in different media. For instance, in a formal report, it might be part of a larger inquiry into monthly data. B2 learners can also handle more abstract uses, such as discussing the cultural significance of certain months in Japan (e.g., the significance of April in the Japanese corporate and academic world). They are expected to have a firm grasp of all irregular month readings and to never confuse 'Nan-gatsu' with 'Nan-kagetsu' in speech or writing. Their ability to use '何月' within relative clauses is also refined, allowing for sophisticated sentence structures.
Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète
At the C1 level, '何月' is used with high precision in academic, legal, or literary contexts. A C1 learner can discuss the evolution of the Japanese calendar and how the term '何月' would have been phrased in the lunar calendar system (Kyūreki). They can use the word in high-level debates about policy, such as 'In what month would the implementation of this tax law be most effective?'. At this level, the learner is also aware of the poetic associations of months and can understand when '何月' is used rhetorically in literature. They are comfortable with the most formal levels of Keigo (honorific Japanese) and can navigate complex social hierarchies when asking about schedules. Their understanding of '何月' is integrated with a deep knowledge of Japanese culture, history, and the seasonal aesthetics that define the Japanese world-view.
Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète
At the C2 level, mastery of '何月' is absolute and indistinguishable from a native speaker. The learner can navigate the most subtle nuances of the word, including its use in archaic texts, specialized professional jargon, and regional dialects. They can engage in deep philological discussions about the kanji '何' and '月' and their historical development in the Japanese language. In a professional setting, a C2 learner can use '何月' to lead high-stakes negotiations, ensuring that every temporal detail is perfectly understood and phrased with the appropriate level of politeness. They can also appreciate and use the word in high-level creative writing, playing with its simplicity to create specific rhythmic or emotional effects. For a C2 learner, '何月' is not just a question word, but a small piece of a vast linguistic and cultural puzzle that they can manipulate with complete ease and artistry.
Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète
Exemples

何月 en 30 secondes

  • Used to ask 'which month' (1-12) on the calendar.
  • Pronounced 'nan-gatsu', combining 'what' and 'month'.
  • Essential for asking about dates, birthdays, and schedules.
  • Different from 'nan-kagetsu', which asks for duration (how many months).

The Japanese term 何月 (なんがつ - nangatsu) is a fundamental interrogative noun used to ask 'what month' in the context of the calendar year. It is composed of two kanji: 何 (nan/nani) meaning 'what' and 月 (gatsu/getsu/tsuki) meaning 'month' or 'moon'. In the Japanese language, months are named numerically (e.g., January is 1-month, February is 2-month), which makes 何月 the direct way to inquire about the specific numerical month of an event, a deadline, or a birthday. This word is essential for basic survival Japanese, as it allows learners to navigate schedules, book appointments, and understand temporal sequences in daily life.

Grammatical Function
It functions as a question word that specifically targets the name of a month. Unlike English, where we have specific names like 'October' or 'May', Japanese uses numbers. Therefore, asking 何月ですか？ is literally asking 'What number month is it?'
Social Context
This term is used across all levels of formality. Whether you are speaking to a friend about a concert or asking a doctor about a follow-up appointment, the term remains the same, though the ending (e.g., だ？ vs ですか？) will change to match the social register.

お誕生日は何月ですか？ (What month is your birthday?)

Understanding the distinction between gatsu and getsu is crucial. While getsu is used for days of the week (Getsuyōbi) or counting duration (ikkagetsu - one month long), gatsu is strictly for the calendar name. Thus, nangatsu specifically asks for the position in the year. If you were to say nangetsu, it would sound like a mistake or might be confused with asking 'how many months' if not phrased correctly with the counter ka.

日本へは何月に行く予定ですか？ (In what month do you plan to go to Japan?)

Calendar Systems
Modern Japan uses the Gregorian calendar, so 何月 refers to January through December. However, in historical or poetic contexts, months had names like Mutsuki or Kisaragi. In modern conversation, 何月 strictly targets the 1-12 numerical system.

In business, 何月 is frequently paired with fiscal terms. For example, asking which month a contract ends or which month the fiscal year begins. It is a precise word. In English, we might ask 'When is the meeting?', but in Japanese, asking 何月 forces a more specific answer regarding the calendar month, whereas itsu (when) is more general and could be answered with a day, time, or year.

そのフェスティバルは毎年何月にありますか？ (In what month is that festival held every year?)

卒業式は何月でしたっけ？ (What month was the graduation ceremony again?)

Using 何月 (なんがつ) correctly requires an understanding of Japanese particles and sentence structure. Since it functions as an interrogative noun, it often appears at the beginning of the predicate or as the topic of the sentence. The most common structure is [Event] + は + 何月ですか？ (What month is [Event]?). However, as you progress to CEFR A2 and beyond, you will need to use it with various particles to indicate time, limits, and origin.

With Particle 'に' (At/In)
When asking in which month an action occurs, add に. Example: 何月に日本に来ましたか？ (In what month did you come to Japan?). This specifies the point in time.
With Particles 'から' and 'まで' (From/Until)
To ask about a duration or a range, use these particles. Example: 何月から何月まで冬休みですか？ (From what month to what month is winter vacation?).

One of the most important aspects of using 何月 is the response it elicits. Because Japanese months are purely numerical, the answer will always follow the pattern [Number] + 月. This creates a very predictable and logical linguistic loop for learners. However, learners must be careful not to confuse 何月 with 何ヶ月 (nan-kagetsu), which asks 'how many months' (duration) rather than 'which month' (point in time).

テストは何月にありますか？ (In what month is the test?)

In polite Japanese (Teineigo), you will almost always see 何月ですか. In casual Japanese (Futsuugo), you might simply say 何月？ with a rising intonation. In very formal business Japanese (Keigo), you might hear 何月でいらっしゃいますか when referring to a client's schedule, although 何月でしょうか is more common. Using the correct particle after 何月 is the key to sounding natural. For instance, using の to link it to another noun: 何月の給料ですか？ (Which month's salary is this?).

この雑誌は何月号ですか？ (Which month's issue is this magazine?)

Common Sentence Patterns
1. [Event]は[何月]ですか？ (Basic question)
2. [何月]に[Verb]ますか？ (Action in a month)
3. [何月]の[Noun]ですか？ (Possessive/Attribute)

When discussing seasons or weather, 何月 is indispensable. For example, 何月が一番暑いですか？ (Which month is the hottest?). Here, the particle が is used because 何月 is the subject being identified as 'the hottest'. This pattern is very common in travel planning and casual conversation about preferences.

あなたは何月に生まれましたか？ (In what month were you born?)

You will encounter 何月 (なんがつ) in almost every facet of Japanese life, from bureaucratic paperwork to casual chats at a cafe. Because the Japanese calendar is so central to social and professional organization, asking about the month is a daily occurrence. Here are the primary settings where you will hear or use this word frequently.

At the Office/Workplace
In meetings, colleagues often discuss project timelines. You might hear: このプロジェクトは何月に終わりますか？ (In what month will this project finish?). It is also common when discussing the 'Kessan' (settlement of accounts), which usually happens in March or September.
At Schools and Universities
The Japanese school year starts in April, which is a major cultural touchstone. Students often ask each other about exams or vacations: 夏休みは何月からですか？ (From what month does summer vacation start?).
At Travel Agencies or Hotels
When booking a trip, the staff will inevitably ask: ご予約は何月になさいますか？ (In what month would you like to make your reservation?). This is a polite way of narrowing down your travel dates.

In the media, weather forecasters frequently use 何月 when comparing historical data. They might say, 'This is the warmest June on record,' or ask rhetorical questions like 'In what month does the typhoon season usually peak?'. Similarly, in fashion magazines, you'll see phrases like 'What month's outfit is this?' to categorize seasonal trends.

お申し込みは何月から受け付けていますか？ (From what month are you accepting applications?)

Socially, 何月 is a great icebreaker. When meeting someone new, asking about their birth month or their favorite month to visit a certain place is a common polite inquiry. In Japan, seasonal awareness (Shun) is highly valued, so discussing months is a way of connecting with the natural rhythm of the country. You might hear people discussing when the best time to see the autumn leaves is: 紅葉は何月が一番綺麗ですか？ (In what month are the autumn leaves most beautiful?).

次回の検診は何月になりますか？ (What month will the next check-up be?)

While 何月 (なんがつ) seems straightforward, English speakers often fall into several predictable traps. The most frequent error involves confusing 'which month' with 'how many months'. This is a distinction that English makes with different words, but in Japanese, it involves different counters and readings of the same kanji.

Mistake 1: '何月' vs '何ヶ月'
This is the 'Big One'. 何月 (nan-gatsu) asks for the calendar name (e.g., March). 何ヶ月 (nan-kagetsu) asks for the duration (e.g., 3 months). If you ask 何月日本にいましたか？, you are asking 'In what month were you in Japan?'. If you mean 'How many months were you in Japan?', you must use 何ヶ月.
Mistake 2: Using 'Nani-getsu'
Learners often know that 'what' can be nani and 'month' can be getsu. However, nani-getsu is incorrect. The interrogative form always uses the nan reading and the gatsu reading for calendar months.

Another common error is forgetting the irregular readings of specific months when answering the question 何月. For example, if someone asks 何月ですか？ and it is April, you must say shigatsu, not yongatsu. Similarly, July is shichigatsu (not nanagatsu) and September is kugatsu (not kyuugatsu). Using the wrong number reading makes the answer sound unnatural, even if it is technically understood.

❌ 何ヶ月に日本へ行きますか？ (Asking duration instead of 'which month')
✅ 何月に日本へ行きますか？ (Correct: In what month...)

Confusing 何月 with いつ (itsu) is also common. While itsu is a versatile 'when', using 何月 shows a higher level of specificity. If you use itsu, you might get an answer like 'next week' or 'tomorrow'. If you specifically need to know the month for planning purposes, 何月 is the correct tool. Finally, watch out for the particle の. English speakers often say 'What month birthday?' omitting the particle. It must be 何月の... or 誕生日は何月....

❌ 何月間かかりましたか？ (Trying to ask duration with 'nangatsu')
✅ 何ヶ月間かかりましたか？ (Correct: How many months did it take?)

To truly master 何月 (なんがつ), you must understand how it sits within the family of Japanese time-related interrogatives. Japanese has a very structured way of asking about time, often attaching 何 (nan) to various counters. Comparing 何月 to its 'cousins' will help you choose the right word for the right situation.

何月 vs 何ヶ月 (Duration)
As mentioned, 何月 asks 'Which month?' while 何ヶ月 asks 'How many months?'.
Example: 何月まで？ (Until which month?) vs 何ヶ月間？ (For how many months?).
何月 vs いつ (When)
いつ is the general 'when'. Use 何月 when you specifically expect a month as an answer. If you ask いつ日本に来ますか？, they might say 'Spring'. If you ask 何月に..., they must say 'April', 'May', etc.
何月 vs 何日 (What Day)
何日 (nan-nichi) asks for the specific day of the month. Often these are used together: 何月何日ですか？ (What month and what day is it?). This is the standard way to ask for a full date.

In more formal or literary contexts, you might see いずれの月 (izure no tsuki), which is a very archaic way of saying 'which month'. However, in 99.9% of modern contexts, 何月 is the only word you need. Another alternative in business is 何月度 (nan-gatsudo), which refers to a 'monthly period' or 'fiscal month'. For example, 何月度の売上ですか？ (Which month's sales are these?).

お祭りは何月何日から始まりますか？ (On what month and day does the festival start?)

When talking about seasons, you might use どの季節 (dono kisetsu) which means 'which season'. While 何月 is numerical and precise, どの季節 is more descriptive. Choosing between them depends on whether you want a calendar date or a seasonal feeling. For example, 'In what month is it cold?' (何月が寒いですか？) vs 'Which season do you like?' (どの季節が好きですか？).

それは何月のニュースでしたか？ (Which month's news was that?)

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

1

今日は何月ですか？

What month is it today?

Basic 'A is B' question structure using 'desu ka'.

2

お誕生日は何月ですか？

What month is your birthday?

Use of 'o' prefix for politeness with 'tanjoubi'.

3

今は何月？

What month is it now? (Casual)

Casual sentence ending with a rising intonation.

4

一月は何月ですか？

What month is January? (Testing knowledge)

Asking for the numerical equivalent of a month name.

5

何月が一番好きですか？

Which month do you like the best?

Use of 'ga' to mark the subject of preference.

6

テストは何月ですか？

What month is the test?

Simple identification of an event's month.

7

何月が冬ですか？

Which months are winter?

Asking for a category of months.

8

お正月は何月ですか？

What month is New Year's?

Common cultural question.

1

何月に日本へ行きますか？

In what month will you go to Japan?

Use of 'ni' to indicate a specific time point.

2

夏休みは何月からですか？

From what month does summer vacation start?

Use of 'kara' to indicate a starting point.

3

学校は何月に終わりますか？

In what month does school end?

Verb 'owarimasu' (to end) paired with 'ni'.

4

何月のカレンダーが必要ですか？

Which month's calendar do you need?

Use of 'no' to link 'nangatsu' to another noun.

5

何月に雪が降りますか？

In what month does it snow?

Asking about natural phenomena.

6

桜は何月に咲きますか？

In what month do cherry blossoms bloom?

Topic 'sakura' followed by 'ni' and the verb 'sakimasu'.

7

何月から何月まで暑いですか？

From what month to what month is it hot?

Use of 'kara... made' for a time range.

8

次の会議は何月ですか？

What month is the next meeting?

Use of 'tsugi no' (next) to modify the event.

1

何月に引っ越すかまだ決めていません。

I haven't decided in what month I will move yet.

Embedded question using 'ka' after 'nangatsu ni hikkosu'.

2

何月に旅行するのが一番安いですか？

In what month is it cheapest to travel?

Nominalizing the verb 'ryokou suru' with 'no'.

3

何月の給料が振り込まれましたか？

Which month's salary was deposited?

Passive verb 'furikomaremashita'.

4

何月になれば涼しくなりますか？

When (in what month) will it become cooler?

Conditional form 'naneba' (if it becomes).

5

この雑誌は何月号までありますか？

Up to which month's issue does this magazine go?

Suffix 'gou' for magazine issues.

6

何月にそのイベントが開催されるか教えてください。

Please tell me in what month that event will be held.

Polite request with 'oshiete kudasai'.

7

何月が一番忙しい時期ですか？

Which month is the busiest period?

Identifying a specific period 'jiki'.

8

何月の末に契約が切れますか？

At the end of which month does the contract expire?

Use of 'sue' (end) to specify time within a month.

1

例年、何月に台風が上陸することが多いですか？

In what month do typhoons usually make landfall?

Use of 'reinen' (typical year) and 'koto ga ooi' (often happens).

2

何月の売上が目標に達しませんでしたか？

Which month's sales failed to reach the target?

Business context with 'uriage' and 'mokuhyou'.

3

何月から新体制に移行する予定でしょうか？

From what month do you plan to transition to the new system?

Formal inquiry using 'deshou ka'.

4

昨年の何月にその法律が施行されましたか？

In what month of last year was that law enacted?

Legal/administrative context.

5

何月のデータと比較するのが妥当だと思いますか？

With which month's data do you think it is appropriate to compare?

Complex inquiry about analytical methodology.

6

何月にボーナスが支給されるか、規定を確認してください。

Please check the regulations to see in what month the bonus is paid.

Workplace regulations context.

7

何月の時点でその問題に気づいていましたか？

At what month's point in time were you aware of that problem?

Use of 'jiten' (point in time).

8

何月の号からその連載が始まりましたか？

From which month's issue did that serialization start?

Discussing media and publications.

1

何月をもってこのサービスを終了するか、慎重に検討すべきだ。

We should carefully consider in what month we will terminate this service.

Formal expression 'wo motte' (as of/at the time of).

2

何月の空気が最も澄んでいるか、科学的な根拠はありますか？

Is there a scientific basis for which month the air is clearest?

Inquiry into scientific data and rationale.

3

何月の旧暦の名称が「如月」だったか覚えていますか？

Do you remember which month's old lunar name was 'Kisaragi'?

Knowledge of historical calendar names (Kyūreki).

4

何月の収支報告書に不備があったのか、再調査が必要です。

A re-investigation is necessary to find out which month's financial report had discrepancies.

Audit and compliance terminology.

5

何月に種をまくのが最適か、土壌の状態によって異なります。

In what month it is best to sow seeds depends on the condition of the soil.

Agricultural context with conditional logic.

6

何月の季語が最も俳句で好まれるか、諸説あります。

There are various theories about which month's seasonal words (kigo) are most preferred in haiku.

Literary and cultural analysis.

7

何月にその条約が批准される見通しですか？

In what month is the treaty expected to be ratified?

International relations and formal 'mintooshi' (outlook).

8

何月の時点で景気後退が始まったと定義されていますか？

At what month's point is it defined that the recession began?

Macroeconomic definitions and terminology.

1

何月が万葉集において最も頻繁に詠まれているか、計量言語学的に分析する。

Analyze which month is most frequently composed about in the Man'yōshū using quantitative linguistics.

Academic research and specialized methodology.

2

何月であれ、彼がその決断を下したことに変わりはない。

No matter what month it was, the fact that he made that decision remains unchanged.

Advanced concessive structure 'de are' (no matter what it is).

3

何月の風が最も肌を刺すような冷たさであるか、文学的表現を考察する。

Examine the literary expressions of which month's wind has the most piercing coldness.

Analysis of sensory and literary nuance.

4

何月の時点でその情報が漏洩したのか、ログを徹底的に解析せよ。

Thoroughly analyze the logs to determine at what month's point the information was leaked.

Imperative form 'seyo' used in high-level commands.

5

何月の夜空が最も観測に適しているかは、緯度と気候条件に依拠する。

Which month's night sky is best suited for observation depends on latitude and climatic conditions.

Scientific dependency using 'ikyū suru'.

6

何月にその政権が崩壊するかは、もはや時間の問題である。

In what month the administration will collapse is now only a matter of time.

Political commentary and idiomatic 'jikan no mondai'.

7

何月の花がその作品の象徴として機能しているかを論じなさい。

Discuss which month's flower functions as a symbol for that work.

Formal essay prompt 'ronjinasa' (discuss/argue).

8

何月の時点で、その企業の倒産が不可避となったのかを特定する。

Identify at what month's point the company's bankruptcy became inevitable.

Business forensics and 'fukahi' (inevitable).

Collocations courantes

何月に
何月から
何月まで
何月の
何月が
Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Contenu associé

Ce mot dans d'autres langues

몇 월 Coréen
C'tait utile ?

Commentaires (0)

Connectez-vous pour Commenter
Pas encore de commentaires. Soyez le premier à partager vos idées !