流れ星
nagareboshi[na̠ɡa̠ɾe̞bo̞ɕi]
In Japanese, shooting star is 流れ星 (nagareboshi). Wiktionary also lists 流星 (ryūsei).
Meaning: meteor (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 流れ星 | nagareboshi | [na̠ɡa̠ɾe̞bo̞ɕi] (narrow) |
| 流星 | ryūsei | [ɾʲɨːse̞ː] (narrow) |
The term 流れ星 is the most natural word to use when you actually spot one and want to point it out to someone.
Which one should you use?
While 流れ星 is the common, everyday term used in conversation, 流星 (ryūsei) is a more formal or scientific term used in astronomy or literature.
How do you pronounce it?
nagareboshi
When do people say it?
In Japanese culture, it is said that shooting stars carry our wishes.
Did you know?
- The term 流星 has been used in Japanese records for over 1,300 years, appearing in the historical text Shoku Nihongi as early as the year 728.
- In Japanese, the same concept of 'flowing' used for a shooting star is also applied to the movement of rivers. This creates a linguistic connection between the heavens and the earth.
- The scientific term 流星 is a 'Sino-Japanese' word, meaning its sounds are derived from Chinese readings rather than native Japanese ones. This gives it a more formal, academic tone compared to the descriptive 流れ星.
Examples in context
- あ、流れ星だ！Look! There goes a shooting star.This sentence is useful for pointing out a shooting star with 流れ星.Tatoeba #234767 by Sim5634, translation #72144 by CM
- あっ！流れ星！Oh! A shooting star!This sentence is useful for expressing sudden excitement about a shooting star with 流れ星.Tatoeba #8886096 by small_snow, translation #6984959 by Hybrid
- 見て！流れ星だよ。Look! There's a shooting star.This sentence is useful for identifying a shooting star with 流れ星.Tatoeba #9725236 by small_snow, translation #10688751 by CK
- 今夜は綺麗な流れ星が見えるかもしれません。Tonight, you may be able to see a beautiful shooting star.
- あっ、流れ星が流れた！Ah, a shooting star just streaked across the sky!
- キラキラ輝く流れ星が落ちていく。A sparkling shooting star is falling.
- あの流れ星を見た瞬間、心がほっとした。When I saw that shooting star, my heart felt at ease.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking up at the night sky in a park.
- 美咲 Misaki今、流れ星が見えたよ！Ima, nagareboshi ga mieta yo!I just saw a shooting star!
- 陽太 Yota本当だ。すごく綺麗だったね。Hontou da. Sugoku kirei datta ne.You're right. It was really beautiful.
- 美咲 Misaki願い事をした？Negaigoto o shita?Did you make a wish?
- 陽太 Yotaうん、ちゃんとできたよ。Un, chanto dekita yo.Yeah, I did it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shooting star” translations and entries 流れ星, 流星, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 流れ星, 流星, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
