彗星

• Reading: すいせい
• Romaji: suisei
• Kanji breakdown: 彗 (sui) — broom, comet; 星 (sei) — star
• Pronunciation: /sɯ.i.seː/

Meaning

Comet; a celestial body with a tail of gas and dust visible when near the sun.

A noun referring to comets in astronomy. Also frequently used in the figurative expression 彗星のごとく (like a comet) to describe someone who appears suddenly and brilliantly on the scene, such as a rising star in sports, entertainment, or business. This metaphorical usage is very common.

Examples

1. 来年、大きな彗星が地球に近づくそうだ。 Apparently a large comet will come close to Earth next year.
2. 彼は彗星のごとく現れた天才ピアニストだ。 He's a genius pianist who burst onto the scene like a comet.
3. 子供の頃、望遠鏡で彗星を観察したことがある。 When I was a kid, I once observed a comet through a telescope.

Usage Guide

Context: astronomy, metaphorical praise, media

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 彗星. 彗 (sui) is a rare character meaning a broom or comet (referring to the tail shape), and 星 (sei) means star. The broom-like tail gives the comet its name.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal