How to say "moon" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

月つきJLPT N4approx.Common
nounThe native word for the moon, the body you see in the night sky. Use it whenever you mean the moon itself — the moon rising, a full moon, the moon shining bright tonight.
宇宙船うちゅうせんは月つきを回まわる軌道きどうを外はずれている。↗
The spaceship is out of orbit around the moon.
ムーンCommon
nounThe loanword from English 'moon'. It appears mainly in borrowed or stylistic contexts — titles, names, set phrases — rather than as the plain word for the moon in the night sky, for which 月 is used.
衛星えいせいJLPT N3approx.Common
nounThe astronomical term for a natural satellite — a body orbiting a planet. Use it when speaking of moons in that scientific sense; for the moon in the night sky, 月 is the word.

月 is the word for the moon in the night sky; 「ムーン」 is the loanword from English, found mainly in borrowed or stylistic contexts; 衛星 is the astronomical term for a moon as a planet's natural satellite.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

月つきMoon
ムーンmoon
衛星えいせい(natural) satellite
月読つくよみmoon
月の輪つきのわmoon (esp. full moon)
太陰たいいんMoon
月世界げっせかいmoon
月影げつえいmoonlight
ののさまGod
月輪げつりん(full) moon
月桂げっけいmoon
けつをまくるto moon

Say it right, write it right