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月と鼈. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
月と鼈, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
月と鼈 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
月と鼈 you have here. The definition of the word
月と鼈 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
月と鼈, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Japanese
Etymology
Phrase consisting of 月 (tsuki, “moon”) + と (to, “and”, conjunctive particle) + 鼈 (suppon, “Chinese soft-shell turtle”), expressing the sense “(the difference between) the moon and a turtle”.[1][2][3]
Perhaps simultaneously evoking their similar shape but different locations (the sky vs. the ground), in the same manner as 雲泥の差 (undei no sa, literally “difference between the clouds and mud”).
First attested in 1734.[1]
Pronunciation
Noun
月と鼈 • (tsuki to suppon)
- (idiomatic) night and day, completely different
- Synonyms: 雲泥の差 (undei no sa), 雲泥万里 (undei manri), 提灯に釣り鐘 (chōchin ni tsurigane)
Usage notes
Also encountered using the particle に (ni) instead of と (to).
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 “月と鼈”, in 日本国語大辞典 [Nihon Kokugo Daijiten] (in Japanese), concise edition, Tokyo: Shogakukan, 2006
- ^ “月と鼈”, in デジタル大辞泉 [Digital Daijisen] (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan, updated roughly every four months
- ^ Matsumura, Akira, editor (2006), 大辞林 [Daijirin] (in Japanese), Third edition, Tokyo: Sanseidō, →ISBN