占星學
zhānxīngxué
The English word "astrology" is translated into Mandarin as 占星學 (zhānxīngxué). Wiktionary also lists 星相 (xīngxiàng).
Meaning: star divination (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 占星學 | zhānxīngxué |
| 星相 | xīngxiàng |
The term refers to the practice of star divination.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 占星學 is composed of 占 (to divine/occupy), 星 (star) and 學 (study/science).
Which one should you use?
占星學 is the formal academic term for the study of astrology, whereas 星相 refers more generally to the appearance of the stars or astrological signs/omens.
How do you pronounce it?
zhānxīngxué
Did you know?
- The character 占 in 占星學 originally referred to the practice of cracking turtle shells or heating bones to divine the future.
- In ancient imperial China, 占星 was a state-sponsored activity where court astrologers warned the Emperor of celestial omens to avoid political disaster.
- The term 星相 is often used in a way that implies a person's destiny is written in the 'appearance' of the stars, mirroring how 面相 refers to reading a person's face.
Examples in context
- 他在占星术方面有很深的造诣。(Tā zài zhàn xīng shù fāngmiàn yǒu hěn shēn de zàoyì.)He has a profound knowledge of astrology.
- 她對占星學很感興趣。Tā duì zhānxīngxué hěn gǎn xìngqù.She is very interested in astrology.
- 占星學是一門古老的學問。Zhānxīngxué shì yī mén gǔlǎo de xuéwèn.Astrology is an ancient field of study.
- 他最近在研究占星學。Tā zuìjìn zài yánjiū zhānxīngxué.He has been studying astrology recently.
Example conversation
Two friends are chatting about hobbies.
- 浩然 Haoran佳怡，妳在看什麼書？Jiāyí, nǐ zài kàn shénme shū?Jiayi, what book are you reading?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我在學習占星學。Wǒ zài xuéxí zhānxīngxué.I am studying astrology.
- 浩然 Haoran那能預測未來嗎？Nà néng yùcè wèilái ma?Can that predict the future?
- 佳怡 Jiayi這很複雜，我告訴你。Zhè hěn fùzá, wǒ gàosù nǐ.It's very complex, I'll tell you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “astrology” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
