How to say "galaxy" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 銀河ぎんがnounThe general word for a galaxy, ours or any other; it can also mean the Milky Way, the band of stars arching across the night sky. Typical contexts are astronomy news and science writing.
- 銀河系ぎんがけいnounRefers specifically to our own galaxy, the Milky Way, viewed as a single vast system of stars — the sense English often writes as 'the Galaxy'. For galaxies other than ours, 銀河 is the word.
Both are common words for 'galaxy': 銀河 is the general term for any galaxy, while 銀河系 typically names our own galaxy, the Milky Way, so choose 銀河系 when that particular system is meant.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
