惑星
wakusei[β̞a̠kɯ̟̊se̞ː]
The English word 'planet' is 惑星 (wakusei) in Japanese.
惑星 refers to a similar body in orbit around a star. For specific celestial bodies, you might use these terms: 地球 for Earth, 火星 for Mars, 木星 for Jupiter, 土星 for Saturn, 天王星 for Uranus, 海王星 for Neptune and 冥王星 for Pluto.
Meaning: similar body in orbit around a star (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 惑星 refers specifically to a planet, the term 星 is a more general word used for stars, planets and other celestial bodies.
How do you pronounce it?
wakusei
Did you know?
- The word 惑星 literally means 'wandering star' because of the character 惑, which suggests being lost, confused, or wandering about.
- The Japanese word for Jupiter, 木星, means 'wood star' or 'tree star'.
- The name for Saturn, 土星, literally means 'earth star' or 'soil star'.
Examples in context
- 地球は美しい惑星だ。The earth is a beautiful planet.This sentence is useful for describing Earth as a beautiful planet using 惑星.Tatoeba #126947 by small_snow, translation #277143 by CK
- 木星は巨大な惑星です。Jupiter is a giant planet.This sentence is useful for describing Jupiter as a giant planet using 惑星.Tatoeba #12700711 by small_snow, translation #5253778 by Hybrid
- 星と惑星の違いは何ですか？What's the difference between a star and a planet?This sentence is useful for asking about the difference between a star and a planet using 惑星.Tatoeba #10080091 by small_snow, translation #2724151 by Hybrid
- Watashi no kosei (私の惑星)My planet
- Kono hoshi no hou ga ookii (この星の方が大きい)This planet is bigger
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two siblings are looking at a science book in their room.
- 陽葵 Himariこの惑星の名前は何？Kono wakusei no namae wa nani?What is the name of this planet?
- 陽太 Yotaそれは火星だよ。Sore wa Kasei da yo.That is Mars.
- 陽葵 Himari火星も惑星なんだね。Kasei mo wakusei nanda ne.So Mars is a planet too.
- 陽太 Yotaそうだよ、陽葵。Sou da yo, Himari.That's right, Himari.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “planet” translations and entries 惑星, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 惑星, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
