月球

• Pinyin: yuè qiú
• Hanzi breakdown: 月 = moon; 球 = 王 + 求, ball/sphere

Meaning

The Moon. Earth's natural satellite.

The scientific/formal term for the Moon. 月亮 is the everyday word. Common collocations: 月球表面 (lunar surface), 登月/登上月球 (land on the Moon), 月球探测 (lunar exploration). China's lunar program is called 嫦娥工程.

Examples

1. 人类第一次登上月球是在1969年。 Humans first landed on the Moon in 1969.
2. 中国的嫦娥号成功在月球背面着陆。 China's Chang'e probe successfully landed on the far side of the Moon.
3. 科学家正在研究月球上是否有水。 Scientists are studying whether there is water on the Moon.

Usage Guide

Context: science, space, astronomy

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 月球离地球有多远？(How far is the Moon from Earth?)
• 将来人类可能会在月球上建基地。(Humans may build bases on the Moon in the future.)

Don't Say

• 今晚月球真圆 (In everyday speech, say 月亮: 今晚月亮真圆)

Origin & History

Compound of 月 (moon) and 球 (sphere, ball). The spherical moon as an astronomical body.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal