1.
comet
A celestial object consisting of ice, rock, and dust that develops a visible tail when passing close to the sun.
彗星が夜空を横切るのを観測した。
We observed a comet crossing the night sky.
ハレー彗星は約76年ごとに地球に近づく。
Halley's Comet approaches Earth approximately every 76 years.
彗星の尾は太陽と反対方向に伸びる。
A comet's tail extends in the direction away from the sun.
彗星 refers to a comet. 彗 means 'broom' (referring to the tail) and 星 means 'star.'
ANATOMY OF A COMET:
- 核: nucleus (solid core)
- コマ: coma (gas cloud around nucleus)
- 尾: tail
FAMOUS COMETS:
- ハレー彗星: Halley's Comet
- ヘール・ボップ彗星: Hale-Bopp Comet
COMMON EXPRESSIONS:
- 彗星を観測する: to observe a comet
- 彗星の尾: comet's tail
- 彗星の軌道: comet's orbit
FIGURATIVE USE:
- 彗星のごとく現れる: to appear suddenly (like a comet)
- 「彗星のように登場した新人」: a newcomer who burst onto the scene
HISTORY:
- In ancient times, comets were often seen as omens