Japanese with Manga
Learning through examples in manga

A comet-viewing telescope with 望遠鏡

Kanji Explanation: Reflection and optics with 鏡

Manga panel from 怪盗セイント・テール showing example of A comet-viewing telescope with 望遠鏡.
怪盗セイント・テール » Volume 4 » Page 19

Asuka Jr. receives a challenge notice from Saint Tail, stating her intent to steal Graham Comet on Christmas Eve. One of his friends wonders how Saint Tail will steal a comet. Asuka Jr. thinks it over for a moment.

アスカ Jr.:
「これは　天文台(てんもんだい)の天体(てんたい)望遠鏡(ぼうえんきょう)を盗(ぬす)むってことだ！！」
“That means stealing the observatory’s telescope!!”
「このへんで彗星(すいせい)を見(み)る方法(ほうほう)はそれしかないからな！！」
“Since that’s the only way to see a comet around here!!”

Key Points

  1. 望遠鏡(ぼうえんきょう) = “telescope”

    • In this scene, 望遠鏡(ぼうえんきょう) means the observatory’s telescope, the instrument Saint Tail would have to steal in order to “steal” the comet.

    • The kanji are literally “distance + see + mirror”, which fits an optical device used to view faraway objects.

  2. 〜ってことだ = casual “that means…”

    • ってことだ is a casual spoken way to say ということだ.

  3. このへんで = “in this area”

    • このへんで sets the local context: he means that in this area, there is only one practical way to view a comet.

  4. それしかないからな = “because that’s the only option”

    • それしかない means “there’s nothing but that” → “that’s the only way / only option”.

    • The ending からな gives his reasoning in a firm, casual, matter-of-fact tone.

See Also