惑星

• Reading: わくせい
• Romaji: wakusei
• Kanji breakdown: 惑 (waku) — bewildered, confused; 星 (sei) — star
• Pronunciation: /wa.kɯ.seː/

Meaning

Planet. A celestial body that orbits a star, such as Earth or Mars.

A noun for the astronomical term 'planet.' The eight planets of our solar system are collectively called 太陽系の惑星. In 2006, 冥王星 (Pluto) was reclassified as a 準惑星 (dwarf planet). Common compounds: 惑星探査 (planetary exploration), 地球型惑星 (terrestrial planet), 系外惑星 (exoplanet). Also used metaphorically in titles like ホルストの組曲「惑星」(Holst's 'The Planets').

Examples

1. 太陽系には八つの惑星がある。 There are eight planets in the solar system.
2. 新しい惑星が発見されたというニュースを読んだ。 I read the news that a new planet had been discovered.
3. 惑星探査のために新型のロケットが開発されている。 A new type of rocket is being developed for planetary exploration.

Usage Guide

Context: science, astronomy, education, news

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 惑 (waku, to be bewildered/confused) + 星 (sei, star). Literally 'bewildering star,' because planets appear to wander across the sky unlike fixed stars — mirroring the Greek planetes (wanderer), from which English 'planet' derives.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal