一番星(いちばんぼし)

いちばんぼし
noun
first star (evening)
weather
1. first star; evening star
The first star visible in the evening sky, typically Venus when it appears as the evening star.
一番星(いちばんぼし)が見(み)えた。
I saw the first star (of the evening).
一番星(いちばんぼし)に願(ねが)いをかける。
I make a wish upon the first star.
日(ひ)が暮(く)れて一番星(いちばんぼし)が輝(かがや)き始(はじ)めた。
The sun set and the first star began to shine.

一番星(いちばんぼし) is a poetic term for the first star visible at dusk.

Astronomy

The 一番星(いちばんぼし) is usually 金星(きんせい) (Venus) when it appears as the 宵(よい)の明星(みょうじょう) (evening star).

Cultural note

In Japanese folklore, making a wish upon the first star is similar to the Western "wish upon a star" tradition. The phrase 「一番星(いちばんぼし)見(み)つけた」 (I found the first star) is often said by children excited to spot it.

Related words

Related Words

Related: 宵(よい)の明星(みょうじょう) (evening star)
general
Added 2026.1.29 15:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
08500/08953_ichibanboshi