天の川
Meanings
1
The galaxy that contains our solar system, visible as a broad band of light across the night sky. In Japanese culture, it is also associated with the Tanabata legend.
The Milky Way looks beautiful in the summer night sky.
The Milky Way Galaxy is the galaxy that contains our solar system.
Usage patterns
- 天の川が見えるthe Milky Way is visible
The Milky Way is clearly visible from the top of the mountain.
- 天の川がかかるthe Milky Way stretches/arches across the sky
The Milky Way arched across the summer night sky.
- 天の川を渡るto cross the Milky Way (as in the Tanabata legend)
On the night of Tanabata, Orihime crosses the Milky Way to meet Hikoboshi.