Months of the Year Vocabulary for N5 | Examples & Quiz
Study Months of the Year for N5 with Japanese words, romaji, English meanings, example sentences, pronunciation support, and beginner practice.
Unlike English months which have unique names, Japanese months are simply 'Number + Gatsu'.
Quick Meaning Box
Understand the core meaning first
Main Japanese
いちがつ
ichigatsu
English Meaning
January
Nepali Meaning
जनवरी
Romaji
ichigatsu
Level
JLPT N5
Complete lesson list
| Japanese | Romaji | Meaning | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|
| いちがつ | ichigatsu | January | |
| にがつ | nigatsu | February | |
| さんがつ | sangatsu | March | |
| しがつ | shigatsu | April | |
| ごがつ | gogatsu | May | |
| ろくがつ | rokugatsu | June | |
| しちがつ | shichigatsu | July | |
| はちがつ | hachigatsu | August |
How To Use It
Use Months of the Year correctly
Simple Explanation
Use this vocabulary when the situation matches the meaning. First connect the Japanese sound to the meaning, then use it inside a short sentence.
Sentence Structure
いちがつ (ichigatsu) = January
Start with this simple structure before making longer sentences.
When To Use
Use it in beginner reading, short answers, daily-life examples, and JLPT review questions where the topic appears naturally.
When Not To Use
Do not force it into every sentence. If another word, particle, or grammar pattern expresses the idea more naturally, choose that instead.
- Japanese learners grow faster when they notice how this topic appears in everyday routines, classroom language, and common study examples.
- Even simple vocabulary lessons become more memorable when students connect them to real situations instead of treating them like a word list only.
Open the full beginner explanation
The Simple 1-12 System
- 一月 (Ichigatsu): January
- 二月 (Nigatsu): February... and so on.
Critical Exceptions (4, 7, 9)
Just like in counting, some months have specific readings:
- 4月 (Shigatsu): April (NOT Yongatsu)
- 7月 (Shichigatsu): July (NOT Nanagatsu)
- 9月 (Kugatsu): September (NOT Kyuugatsu)
Relative Time
- 今月 (Kongetsu): This month
- 先月 (Sengetsu): Last month
- 来月 (Raigetsu): Next month
Formula / Pattern Box
Memorize the reusable pattern
Pattern 1
いちがつ (ichigatsu) = January
Pattern 2
いちがつ + です
Pattern 3
いちがつ + を / が + verb
Pattern 4
Time or place + particle + いちがつ
Example Sentences
Read, repeat, and understand the usage
Example 1
誕生日は四月です。
Tanjoubi wa shigatsu desu.
English
My birthday is in April.
Nepali
मेरो जन्मदिन अप्रिलमा हो।
- Focus: 誕生日は四月です。
- Meaning: My birthday is in April.
- Role: Use it as the key lesson item.
Example 2
来月、日本へ行きます。
Raigetsu, Nihon he ikimasu.
English
Next month, I'm going to Japan.
Nepali
अर्को महिना म जापान जाँदै छु।
- Focus: 来月、日本へ行きます。
- Meaning: Next month, I'm going to Japan.
- Role: Use it as the key lesson item.
Example 3
一月はとても寒いです。
Ichigatsu wa totemo samui desu.
English
January is very cold.
Nepali
जनवरी धेरै चिसो हुन्छ।
- Focus: 一月はとても寒いです。
- Meaning: January is very cold.
- Role: Use it as the key lesson item.
Common Mistakes
Avoid the beginner traps
Mistake 1
Wrong
Memorize only: "January"
Correct
Read いちがつ, say the meaning, then use it in one short sentence.
Trying to memorize Months of the Year only by translation instead of noticing how it appears in real Japanese patterns.
Mistake 2
Wrong
Memorize only: "January"
Correct
Read いちがつ, say the meaning, then use it in one short sentence.
Reviewing the list once and assuming the lesson is finished without testing recall later.
Mistake 3
Wrong
Memorize only: "January"
Correct
Read いちがつ, say the meaning, then use it in one short sentence.
Skipping speaking or writing practice, which makes the lesson harder to use actively.
Practice Section
Turn passive reading into active memory
Task 1
Fill in the blank
Complete the sentence: いちがつ means January.
Task 2
Multiple choice
Choose the best meaning for いちがつ before checking the lesson list.
Task 3
Sentence building
Make one short beginner sentence using いちがつ. Keep it simple.
Task 4
Translation practice
Translate this idea into Japanese: January.
Extra practice prompts
- Write two original sentences that use Months of the Year naturally.
- Review the lesson once without notes, then check what you missed.
- Explain the main meaning of this topic in simple English as if teaching another beginner.
Self-check before moving on
- Can I explain the main purpose of Months of the Year without reading the notes?
- Can I use at least one example from this lesson in my own sentence?
- Can I come back tomorrow and still remember the key meaning or pattern?
Mini Quiz
Check your understanding
Q1. What does いちがつ mean?
Q2. What does にがつ mean?
Q3. What does さんがつ mean?
Q4. What does しがつ mean?
Q5. What does ごがつ mean?
Q6. What does ろくがつ mean?
Q7. What does しちがつ mean?
Q8. What does はちがつ mean?
Show answer key
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August
Real Life Usage
Use the lesson outside flashcards
Conversation Example
A: いちがつ？
B: はい、いちがつです。
ichigatsu - January
Classroom Example
A teacher may ask you to read, choose, or explain いちがつ during a beginner review.
Daily Life Example
Use いちがつ when the meaning "January" appears in a simple real situation.
Use Months of the Year in a short real-life scene
Imagine you are studying or interacting in a simple daily situation where JLPT N5 Japanese is enough. Your goal is to use this lesson clearly and naturally, not perfectly.
- Create one short scene that includes Months of the Year.
- Say or write two useful lines connected to the topic.
- Review what felt difficult and repeat the scene one more time with better accuracy.
FAQ
Common beginner questions
Why use 'Shi' for 4 instead of 'Yon' in April?
Months use the older Sino-Japanese readings consistently. It is an exception you just have to memorize!
Summary Box
What to remember
Key Point
Months of the Year becomes useful when you can recognize it, explain it simply, and use it in one short sentence.
Pattern
いちがつ (ichigatsu) = January
Next Action
Review with a practice tool3 must-remember examples
- 誕生日は四月です。 - My birthday is in April.
- 来月、日本へ行きます。 - Next month, I'm going to Japan.
- 一月はとても寒いです。 - January is very cold.