1.
the Southern Cross
A small, cross-shaped constellation visible in the Southern Hemisphere, used there as a guide for locating due south.
南十字星を見たい。
I want to see the Southern Cross.
南半球では南十字星がよく見える。
The Southern Cross is easily seen in the Southern Hemisphere.
船乗りたちは昔、南十字星を頼りに方角を知った。
In the past, sailors relied on the Southern Cross to find their direction.
Composed of 南 (south) + 十字星 (cross star). The constellation, formally 南十字座 (Crux), is not visible from most of Japan and is a famous symbol of the southern sky.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 南十字星を見る: to see the Southern Cross
- 南十字星を探す: to look for the Southern Cross
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 北斗七星: the Big Dipper — the prominent northern-sky asterism