一番星(いちばんぼし)

いちばんぼし
noun
first star (evening)
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:

  • 宵(よい)の明星(みょうじょう): evening star (Venus)
  • 明(あ)けの明星(みょうじょう): morning star (Venus)
general
Added 2026.1.29 15:14
08500/08953_ichibanboshi