‘月历’ (yuè lì) literally means ‘month calendar’ — combining 月 (yuè), meaning ‘month’, and 历 (lì), meaning ‘calendar’ or ‘almanac’. It refers specifically to a wall-mounted or desk-style calendar that displays one month per page, commonly used for planning, marking important dates, or decoration. Unlike a ‘年历’ (nián lì), which shows the entire year at once, a 月历 emphasizes monthly organization and is often illustrated with seasonal themes, holidays, or cultural motifs.

This word is widely used in everyday contexts — from office supplies stores to home decor shops — and appears frequently in advertisements, gift catalogs, and stationery packaging. While digital calendars are increasingly common, physical 月历 remain popular in China and other Chinese-speaking regions, especially as gifts during the Lunar New Year or as practical classroom or workplace tools. The term carries no strong formality or informality; it’s neutral and appropriate in both spoken and written Chinese.