How to Say "Supernova" in Japanese

超新星

chōshinsei[t͡ɕo̞ːɕĩɰ̃se̞ː]

The English phrase supernova is translated into Japanese as 超新星 (chōshinsei).

超新星 is a noun used to refer to the astronomical phenomenon of an exploding star.

Meaning: exploding star (noun)

How do you pronounce it?

The romanization is chōshinsei.

The prefix 超 in 超新星 is the same character used in the Japanese word for 'super Saiyan' from Dragon Ball, 超サイヤ人, to denote a level beyond the normal.
The character 超 in 超新星 is used to create many modern Japanese 'slang' words, where it functions like the English word 'ultra' or 'mega' to intensify any adjective.
In Japanese, the word 新星 is used not only for astronomical novae but also metaphorically to describe a 'rising star' or a sudden new talent in sports or arts.

超新星は銀河の進化において重要な役割を果たしています
Supernovae play a crucial role in the evolution of galaxies
最近、恒星爆発が観測されました
Recently, a stellar explosion was observed.
超新星はとても明るい現象です。
choushinsei wa totemo akarui genshou desu.
A supernova is a very bright phenomenon.
その超新星を望遠鏡で見ました。
sono choushinsei o bouenkyou de mimashita.
I saw that supernova through a telescope.
超新星爆発の画像が見たいです。
choushinsei bakuhatsu no gazou ga mitai desu.
I want to see an image of a supernova explosion.

Two siblings are looking at a science book together.

陽太 Yota

この超新星、すごく綺麗だね。
kono choushinsei, sugoku kirei da ne.
This supernova is really beautiful, isn't it?
陽葵 Himari

本当だね。陽太くん、詳しく教えて。
hontou da ne. youta-kun, kuwashiku oshiete.
It really is. Youta, tell me more about it.
陽太 Yota

星が一生を終える時に起こるんだよ。
hoshi ga isshou o oeru toki ni okoru nda yo.
It happens when a star reaches the end of its life.
陽葵 Himari

すごい。宇宙って不思議な世界ね。
sugoi. uchuu tte fushigi na sekai ne.
Amazing. Space is such a mysterious world.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏