'月刊' (yuè kān) is a compound noun meaning 'monthly publication' — a magazine or journal issued once every month. The first character, 月 (yuè), means 'month', and the second, 刊 (kān), means 'to publish' or 'periodical'; together they literally mean 'monthly publication'. It emphasizes regularity and schedule, distinguishing it from irregularly released materials like special reports or one-off pamphlets.

This term is commonly used in formal, professional, or academic contexts — for example, describing official government bulletins, scholarly journals, literary magazines, or industry newsletters. While '杂志' (zázhì) is a more general word for 'magazine', '月刊' specifically highlights the monthly frequency and often implies a higher degree of editorial consistency and institutional backing. It appears frequently in publishing, media, library, and administrative settings.