Why the Moon is Beautiful: A Declaration of Love in Japan

Illustration of the moon (Pixabay.com/susan-lu4esm)

Did you know that the phrase 月が綺麗ですね (tsuki ga kirei desu ne) “The moon is beautiful, huh” in Japanese has a different meaning than just “I want to tell you that the moon is beautiful”. Actually, “The moon is beautiful, huh” means expressing feelings to the opposite sex. In this article, let’s discuss the meaning of the phrase “The moon is beautiful, huh” in Japanese.

Meaning of “The Moon is Beautiful” in Japan

“The moon is beautiful, isn’t it” is an expression used when expressing love to the opposite sex. You can express your love to someone in a more indirect way than saying あなたが好き (anata ga Suki) “I like you” or 愛してる (aishiteru) “I love you.” Although it’s not a word that is often used, if you are a romantic person, you can use it when expressing your feelings.

The origin of the phrase “The moon is beautiful, huh” in Japan

It is said that the phrase “The moon is beautiful, huh” means to express love. Its origin comes from an anecdote, namely an English literary scholar in the Meiji era translated “I love you” as “The moon is beautiful, huh” instead of 愛している (aishiteru) “I love you”.

This great writer thought that, given the nature of the Japanese, “when confessing love, they should not express it directly,” and the phrase “The moon is beautiful, huh?” Although the authenticity of the anecdote is unknown, the phrase “The moon is beautiful, huh” is widely known as a confession of love that expresses the deep sensitivity of Japanese society at that time.

Illustration of a man looking at the moon

How to respond to “The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?”

If a Japanese person suddenly says to you, “The moon is beautiful,” you might be confused about how to respond. Here are some things you need to do to prepare yourself before a Japanese person says, “The moon is beautiful.”

If you don’t know the meaning of “The moon is beautiful, huh” you will be confused when someone in Japan says it to you. First of all, please understand that “The moon is beautiful, huh” means “I love you”.

If you want to accept the offer, respond with something like, “Now you can reach it,” or “I saw it with you,” to create humor. If you want to decline the offer, you can say, “It’s beautiful because it’s out of reach” or “I can’t see the moon,” without ruining the mood.

If you’re not sure whether the other person’s “The moon is beautiful,” is a confession, you should ask the other person. If the person you’re talking to is just telling you how they feel when they see the moon, responding with a confession can create an awkward situation. If you jokingly ask, “Is that a confession?” the other person may tell you what they really mean.

Synonyms for the phrase “The moon is beautiful, isn’t it?”

“The moon is beautiful, huh” is a confession phrase that can only be used at night. There are also indirect confession phrases and stylish ways to express your love that can be used in other situations.

The phrase 夕日が綺麗ですね (yuuhi ga kirei desu ne) “The sunset is beautiful, huh” has a similar meaning to “The moon is beautiful, huh.” It means “I want to be with you” and “I wonder how you feel.” If a Japanese person says it, you can reply “The moon is beautiful too,” if you accept, or “It’s about to set,” if you decline.

The phrase 星が綺麗ですね (hoshi ga kirei desu ne) “The stars are beautiful, huh” has a similar meaning to “The moon is beautiful, huh.” You can’t reach the stars even if you stretch out your hand, so it symbolizes your admiration for others.

In other words, “The stars are beautiful, huh” contains a sad feeling: “You are a flower from a high mountain,” and “A figure that can never be reached.” When someone you like says this to you, you can create a romantic atmosphere by replying, “I am sure your wish will come true.”

The phrase 虹が綺麗ですね (Niji ga kirei desu ne) is a synonym for “The moon is beautiful, huh.” The rainbow is said to be a bridge that connects the feelings of two people. So, “The rainbow is beautiful, huh” conveys the feeling that “I hope the rainbow can connect the feelings of two people.” If someone says this, you can respond with “The moon is beautiful too,” or “Would you like to cross it with me?”

Express Love “The Moon is Beautiful, isn’t it”

Expressing “I love you” as “The moon is beautiful, isn’t it” is a unique romantic expression in Japan. For people who feel shy to express their feelings directly, using this expression will allow them to casually express their feelings to the person they are talking to.

When the recipient of this expression realizes the meaning contained in it, they will surely be surprised and feel a deep sense of love. However, if the person you are talking to does not understand the meaning of your words, then it will only be small talk. It is also important to make sure that your feelings are conveyed well to others.

You might want to try using “The moon is beautiful, huh” not only when expressing your love, but also as a way for your lover to express his/her love in everyday life. It might be fun for both of you to find different words to express your love than usual.