Meaning
A period of about 30 days.
Cultural Background
The moon dictates the 'moving schedule' for herders. Certain moon phases are considered 'black' or 'inauspicious' for moving the camp. The 8th, 15th (full moon), and 30th (new moon) of every month are sacred days when many Mongolians visit monasteries. Many Mongolian women have names starting with 'Sar' (Moon) because it symbolizes beauty and serenity. This is the Mongolian Lunar New Year. It is the most important cultural event, centered around the first new moon of spring.
Month Names
Don't bother learning complex names for months. Just use numbers 1-12 followed by 'сар'.
Vowel Length
Be careful not to stretch the 'a'. 'Saar' means something else entirely.
Meaning
A period of about 30 days.
Month Names
Don't bother learning complex names for months. Just use numbers 1-12 followed by 'сар'.
Vowel Length
Be careful not to stretch the 'a'. 'Saar' means something else entirely.
Pointing at the Moon
In some traditional Mongolian beliefs, it's considered slightly impolite to point directly at the moon with your index finger; use your whole hand instead.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'Сар'.
Би нэг ______ дараа ирнэ.
We use the genitive 'сарын' before 'дараа' (after) to mean 'after a month'.
Which sentence means 'The moon is rising'?
Сонгоно уу:
'Сар' is moon, 'Нар' is sun, and 'Од' is star.
Match the Mongolian month name to the English equivalent.
Match them:
Mongolian months are numbered 1-12.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Сар шинээр сайхан шинэлж байна уу? B: ________.
This is the standard polite response to a Lunar New Year greeting.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Sun vs Moon
Practice Bank
4 exercisesБи нэг ______ дараа ирнэ.
We use the genitive 'сарын' before 'дараа' (after) to mean 'after a month'.
Сонгоно уу:
'Сар' is moon, 'Нар' is sun, and 'Од' is star.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Mongolian months are numbered 1-12.
A: Сар шинээр сайхан шинэлж байна уу? B: ________.
This is the standard polite response to a Lunar New Year greeting.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, in almost every context. The meaning is usually clear from the sentence structure.
You say 'Нэгдүгээр сар' or simply 'Нэг сар'.
Mongolian doesn't have grammatical gender, but culturally the moon is often associated with feminine qualities.
The plural is 'Сарууд', but you only use it when talking about 'months' in general, not with numbers.
White is the color of milk and purity in Mongolia, symbolizing a fresh, clean start for the new month/year.
No, Monday is 'Даваа гараг'.
You say 'Бүтэн сар'.
Yes, very frequently for girls, like 'Saruul' (Bright/Clear) or 'Sarangerel'.
The genitive form is 'Сарын'.
You say 'Өнгөрсөн сар'.
Related Phrases
Нар
similarSun
Сар шинэ
specialized formLunar New Year
Бүтэн сар
specialized formFull moon
Сарны гэрэл
builds onMoonlight
Хагас сар
specialized formHalf moon / Crescent
