The Moon holds a place of profound importance in Chinese culture, far beyond its astronomical identity. While 月球 (yuèqiú) is the modern scientific term, the cultural concepts are tied to the character 月 (yuè) itself.
Comparison to Western Culture: In Western culture, the moon is often associated with romance (“moonlight and roses”), madness (“lunacy”), or mythical creatures like werewolves. While it has its own rich symbolism, the Chinese cultural association is uniquely and deeply tied to the specific concepts of family reunion and homesickness. The Mid-Autumn Festival is like a Thanksgiving centered entirely around the lunar cycle, a concept without a direct Western equivalent. 月球 represents China's modern, scientific engagement with space, but it's layered on top of this ancient, poetic foundation.
The key to using 月球 correctly is understanding its formality and scientific context. It is not an everyday word for looking at the moon.
The most common mistake for English speakers is using 月球 in everyday, romantic, or poetic situations. This sounds unnatural and overly formal, similar to saying “The celestial sphere is beautiful tonight” in English.
Think of it this way: If you can replace “the Moon” with “that big rock in space,” use 月球. If you can replace it with “the moonlight” or “that beautiful thing in the sky,” use 月亮.