先月

• Reading: せんげつ
• Romaji: sengetsu
• Kanji breakdown: 先 (sen/saki) — previous, before; 月 (getsu/tsuki) — month, moon
• Pronunciation: /seɴ.ɡe.tsɯ/

Meaning

Last month. Refers to the calendar month before the current one.

Combines 先 (previous) and 月 (month). Part of the monthly trio: 先月, 今月 (this month), 来月 (next month). Used with past tense to talk about recent events within the last month. Common in conversation about bills, events, and personal updates.

Examples

1. 先月、新しいパソコンを買いました。 I bought a new computer last month.
2. 先月は雨が多かったです。 It rained a lot last month.
3. 先月から日本語の授業に通っています。 I've been attending Japanese classes since last month.

Usage Guide

Context: recounting events, daily conversation, finances

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

A Sino-Japanese compound of 先 (sen, previous) and 月 (getsu, month). Follows the same formation pattern as 先週 (last week) and 先日 (the other day).

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal