Translation guide
In Japanese, the word for 'meteor' depends on whether you mean the streak of light in the sky (shooting star) or the physical rock from space. The most common everyday word is 流れ星 (nagareboshi), which refers to the visible phenomenon. For scientific or astronomical contexts, 流星 (ryūsei) is used. The physical object itself is 隕石 (inseki) once it lands on Earth, or 流星体 (ryūseitai) while in space.
The common, everyday phenomenon of a bright streak moving across the night sky, often associated with making a wish.
The most natural and common word for a shooting star. Used in everyday conversation, stories, and when talking about making wishes.
I saw a shooting star last night.
I made a wish upon a shooting star.
The scientific or literary term for a meteor (the light phenomenon). Used in astronomy, news reports, and formal contexts. Less common in casual speech.
A meteor shower can be seen tonight.
An event where many meteors appear in the sky over a period of time.
The standard term for a meteor shower. Used in astronomy and weather forecasts.
The Perseid meteor shower can be seen every August.
A piece of rock or metal from space that survives passage through the atmosphere and hits the ground.
The scientific term for a meteorite. Used in geology, astronomy, and news about space rocks found on Earth.
I saw a large meteorite at the museum.
A small rocky or metallic body traveling through space, before it becomes a meteor or meteorite.
A technical astronomy term for a meteoroid. Rarely used outside scientific contexts.
When a meteoroid enters the Earth's atmosphere, it becomes a meteor.
流れ星 (nagareboshi) is the everyday word for a shooting star. 流星 (ryūsei) is the scientific term for the light phenomenon. 隕石 (inseki) is a meteorite, the physical rock that reaches the ground. Do not use 隕石 for a shooting star.
The English word 'meteor' can sometimes be used metaphorically (e.g., 'a meteoric rise'). In Japanese, such metaphors are not directly translated with 流星. Instead, use phrases like 急上昇 (kyūjōshō) for rapid rise.