１２月

• Reading: じゅうにがつ
• Romaji: juunigatsu
• Kanji breakdown: 十 (juu) — ten; 二 (ni) — two; 月 (gatsu/tsuki) — month
• Pronunciation: /dʑɯː.ni.ɡa.tsɯ/

Meaning

December. The twelfth and last month of the year.

Formed by combining 十二 (juuni, twelve) with 月 (gatsu, month). December is a busy month in Japan with year-end parties (忘年会), end-of-year cleaning (大掃除), and New Year preparations. Christmas is celebrated as a commercial and romantic holiday rather than a religious one.

Examples

1. １２月は忘年会が多いです。 There are many year-end parties in December.
2. １２月３１日は大晦日です。 December 31st is New Year's Eve.
3. １２月に大掃除をします。 We do a big year-end cleaning in December.

Usage Guide

Context: calendar, year-end, holidays

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Numerical month system: 十二 (juuni, twelve) + 月 (gatsu, month). The old poetic name for December was 師走 (shiwasu), meaning 'teachers running,' as even Buddhist monks were busy with year-end duties.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal