彗星(すいせい)

彗星(すいせい) refers to a comet. 彗(すい) means 'broom' (referring to the tail) and 星(せい) means 'star.'

Anatomy of a comet

• 核(かく): nucleus (solid core)
• コマ: coma (gas cloud around nucleus)
• 尾(お): tail

Famous comets

• ハレー彗星(すいせい): Halley's Comet
• ヘール・ボップ彗星(すいせい): Hale-Bopp Comet

Common expressions

• 彗星(すいせい)を観測(かんそく)する: to observe a comet
• 彗星(すいせい)の尾(お): comet's tail
• 彗星(すいせい)の軌道(きどう): comet's orbit

Usage

• 彗星(すいせい)のごとく現(あらわ)れる: to appear suddenly (like a comet)
• 「彗星(すいせい)のように登場(とうじょう)した新人(しんじん)」: a newcomer who burst onto the scene

Etymology

• In ancient times, comets were often seen as omens