Japanese word

星座

Pronunciation

Romajiseiza

Meaning

  • nounconstellation

Example

どの星座が好きですか？do no sei za ga su ki de su ka

Which constellation do you like?

Illustration for 星座 (constellation)

More examples

その本には、季節ごとに見える星座が紹介されています。so no hon ni wa ki setsu go to ni mi e ru sei za ga shō kai sa re te i ma su

The book introduces the constellations visible in each season.

Core concept

Refers to a named section of the sky or the star pattern associated with it, including those used to mark the zodiac.

Common phrases

  • 星座を探すsei za o saga su

    look for a constellation

  • 星座を覚えるsei za o obo e ru

    learn the constellations

  • 星座の位置sei za no i chi

    the position of a constellation

Definition in Japanese

空に見える星の並びをもとに定めた区域、またはその区域に含まれる星の集まり。sora ni mi e ru hoshi no nara bi o mo to ni sada me ta ku iki ma ta wa so no ku iki ni fuku ma re ru hoshi no atsu ma ri

Word origin

The Japanese word 星座 (seiza) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 星 (sei, "star") and 座 (za, "seat" or "position").

Usage tips

  • The Big Dipper is an asterism rather than a constellation, because it is a familiar star pattern within the constellation Ursa Major.

Other meanings

  • zodiac signnoun

Word lists with this word