北斗(ほくと)七星(しちせい)

ほくとしちせい
noun
the Big Dipper; the Plough
1. the Big Dipper; the Plough
The seven bright stars of Ursa Major that form a ladle shape, widely used as a guide for finding the North Star.
北斗(ほくと)七星(しちせい)が見(み)える。
I can see the Big Dipper.
北斗(ほくと)七星(しちせい)を使(つか)って北極星(ほっきょくせい)を探(さが)した。
I used the Big Dipper to find the North Star.
空気(くうき)が澄(す)んだ冬(ふゆ)の夜(よる)は、北斗(ほくと)七星(しちせい)がはっきり見(み)える。
On a clear winter night, the Big Dipper is clearly visible.

Composed of 北斗(ほくと) (the Northern Dipper) + 七星(しちせい) (seven stars). The seven stars form the well-known ladle shape within the constellation 大熊座(おおぐまざ) (Ursa Major).

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 北斗(ほくと)七星(しちせい)を見(み)つける: to spot the Big Dipper
  • 北斗(ほくと)七星(しちせい)の形(かたち): the shape of the Big Dipper

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 北極星(ほっきょくせい): the North Star — found by following the Dipper's two end stars
  • 南十字星(みなみじゅうじせい): the Southern Cross — its southern-sky counterpart
general
Added 2026.6.28 18:18
29500/29539_hokutoshichisei