Stern
/ʃtɛʁn/
In German, the word for the astronomical star is Stern.
Stern refers specifically to a luminous celestial body made of plasma.
Meaning: (astronomy) a luminous celestial body made of plasma (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Stern refers to the celestial object, the borrowed term Der Star is used to describe a famous person in the context of popular culture, such as in movies or music.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of Stern is Sterne. In the dative singular case, the form is dem Stern.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃtɛʁn/
Did you know?
- The word Stern is used in the German compound Sternstunde, which describes a pivotal hour or a moment of great significance.
- While Stern refers to the celestial object, a person who is a 'star' in the entertainment industry is often referred to as a Promi, a common abbreviation for 'Prominenz'.
- The German Stern shares a distant ancestral root with the Latin word stēlla and the Ancient Greek astḗr.
Examples in context
- Siehst du den Stern?Do you see the star?This sentence is useful for asking if someone can see a Stern.Tatoeba #2460883 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1912215 by Luornu
- Ich sehe einen Stern.I see a star.This sentence is useful for stating that you see a Stern.Tatoeba #5295696 by Sudajaengi, translation #1912219 by CM
- Die Sonne ist ein Stern.The sun is a star.This sentence is useful for identifying the sun as a Stern.Tatoeba #2301762 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2300598 by Hybrid
- Der Stern leuchtet am HimmelThe star is shining in the sky
- Sie ist ein großer Star in der MusikindustrieShe is a big star in the music industry
- Er ist eine wahre Lichtgestalt auf der BühneHe is a true star on stage
- Er ist ein internationaler SuperstarHe is an international superstar
- Der Stern steht hoch am Himmel.The star is high in the sky.
- Sie ist ein großer Star in ihrer Branche geworden.She has become a big star in her industry.
- 159 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Maximilian are looking at the night sky through a telescope.
- LauraSchau mal, Maximilian, da ist ein neuer Stern!Look, Maximilian, there is a new star!
- MaximilianJa, der Stern leuchtet wirklich stark.Yes, the star is shining really brightly.
- LauraKannst du diesen Stern im Teleskop sehen?Can you see this star in the telescope?
- MaximilianJa, ich sehe ihn jetzt auch.Yes, I see it now too.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Stern, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Stern, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
