Japanese meaning of 月とすっぽん
Reading:
つきとすっぽん (tsuki to suppon)
English Translation:
Like night and day
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Like night and day.
Cultural Context:
Frequently used in Japanese media reviews and sports commentary for performance comparison.
二つの物事が極端に異なるという意味。
メディアの批評やスポーツ解説で、能力や結果の差を表現する際によく使われる。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
• 月 (tsuki) = “moon” (noun)
• と (to) = particle meaning “and” or “with” (comparison marker here)
• すっぽん (suppon) = “soft-shelled turtle” (noun)
A noun + と + noun structure, used for stark, often humorous, comparisons between two unlike things.
Trap for English Speakers
May be misunderstood as literal moon and turtle rather than two extremes.
Example
Basic Example
その二社のサービスは月とすっぽん、比較にならない。
Those two services are Like night and day.
Applied Example
うちの木剣と伝説の聖剣、月とすっぽん。
My wooden sword versus the holy blade—Like night and day.