２月

• Reading: にがつ
• Romaji: nigatsu
• Kanji breakdown: 二 (ni) — two; 月 (gatsu/tsuki) — month
• Pronunciation: /ni.ɡa.tsɯ/

Meaning

February. The second month of the year.

Formed by combining 二 (ni, two) with 月 (gatsu, month). February is the shortest month and one of the coldest in Japan. The traditional celebration of Setsubun (節分) falls in early February, marking the change of seasons.

Examples

1. ２月は一番短い月です。 February is the shortest month.
2. ２月１４日はバレンタインデーです。 February 14th is Valentine's Day.
3. ２月に節分のお祭りがあります。 There's a Setsubun festival in February.

Usage Guide

Context: calendar, winter, holidays

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Numerical month system: 二 (ni, two) + 月 (gatsu, month). The old poetic name for February was 如月 (kisaragi), meaning 'the month of wearing extra layers.'

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal