1.
Milky Way galaxy; the Galaxy
The galaxy containing the solar system, visible as a band of light across the night sky.
銀河系には数千億の星がある。
The Milky Way contains hundreds of billions of stars.
太陽は銀河系の端のほうにある。
The sun is located toward the edge of the Milky Way.
銀河系の中心には巨大なブラックホールがあると考えられている。
It is believed that a massive black hole exists at the center of the Milky Way.
銀河 (galaxy; Milky Way) + 系 (system). Specifically refers to the Milky Way — the galaxy we live in. When discussing other galaxies, the term 銀河 alone is used.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 銀河系の中心 — the center of the galaxy
- 銀河系の外 — outside the galaxy
- 銀河系の構造 — the structure of the galaxy
RELATED TERMS:
- 銀河 — galaxy; Milky Way — can refer to any galaxy or to the Milky Way poetically
- 天の川 — the Milky Way — the traditional Japanese name, associated with the Tanabata festival
- 宇宙 — outer space; the universe