Translation guide
A meteorite is a piece of rock or metal from space that survives passage through the atmosphere and hits the Earth's surface. In Japanese, the most common and general term is 隕石 (いんせき).
隕石
meteorite
Referring to a meteorite in general, scientific, or everyday contexts.
The standard word for 'meteorite'. Used in both scientific and casual contexts.
博物館で隕石を見ました。
I saw a meteorite at the museum.
隕石が地球に落下した。
A meteorite fell to Earth.
Specifically an iron meteorite. Used in scientific or collector contexts.
この隕鉄はとても重い。
This iron meteorite is very heavy.
Stony meteorite, a scientific classification.
石質隕石は最も一般的なタイプです。
Stony meteorites are the most common type.
Talking about a meteorite that has been found, collected, or is on display.
Same word, but often used with modifiers like 発見された (found) or 展示されている (on display).
彼は砂漠で隕石を発見した。
He discovered a meteorite in the desert.
Describing the event of a meteorite falling or hitting something.
Literally 'fall of a meteorite'. Natural way to describe a meteorite fall event.
昨夜、隕石の落下が目撃された。
A meteorite fall was witnessed last night.
Simple verb phrase: 'a meteorite falls'.
隕石が庭に落ちた。
A meteorite fell in the yard.
A meteor (the streak of light) is 流星 (りゅうせい) or 流れ星 (ながれぼし). A meteorite is the rock that reaches the ground. Using 流星 for a meteorite is incorrect.