星
hoshi[ho̞ɕi]
The English word "star" is translated into Japanese as 星 (hoshi).
The noun 星 is used to refer to astronomical stars made of plasma, but it is also used to describe objects that are star-shaped. When you want to talk about a person being the "star" or headliner of a performance, you should use the verb 主演する instead.
Meaning: (astronomy) a luminous celestial body made of plasma (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 星 refers to a celestial body or a star shape, the verb 主演する is the appropriate term when referring to a person acting as the star of a production. To specifically refer to multiple stars in the plural, use 星々. The phrase 流れ星 is used specifically to mean a shooting star or a meteor.
Related words
Did you know?
- The kanji used for 'star', 星, is also part of the historical way to write 'Singapore' in Japanese, specifically in the older spelling 星加坡.
- While 星 is the general term, Japanese has a specific word 一番星 to describe the first star visible in the evening sky.
- The Japanese word 星 can refer to any celestial body that twinkles, meaning it is commonly used for planets like Venus or Mars, which are not technically stars.
Examples in context
- あ、流れ星だ！Look! There goes a shooting star.This sentence shows how to use 星 when identifying a shooting star.Tatoeba #234767 by Sim5634, translation #72144 by CM
- あっ！流れ星！Oh! A shooting star!This sentence uses 星 to express excitement about seeing a shooting star.Tatoeba #8886096 by small_snow, translation #6984959 by Hybrid
- 見て！流れ星！Look! A falling star!This sentence demonstrates the use of 星 in the context of spotting a falling star.Tatoeba #10540093 by small_snow, translation #5236550 by AlanF_US
- anata wa watashi no hoshi desu (あなたは私の星です)You are my star
- Kawaii ne, hoshi-chan! (可愛いね、星ちゃん！)How cute, little star!
- Hoshiboshi ga ippai! (星々がいっぱい！)There are so many stars!
- 42 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two people are stargazing in a park at night.
- 陽葵 Himariあの星、すごく綺麗だよ。Ano hoshi, sugoku kirei da yo.That star is so beautiful.
- 健太 Kenta本当だ。明るい星だね。Hontou da. Akarui hoshi da ne.You're right. It's a bright star.
- 陽葵 Himariもっとたくさんの星が見えるよ。Motto takusan no hoshi ga mieru yo.I can see many more stars.
- 健太 Kenta空がとても澄んでいるね。Sora ga totemo sunde iru ne.The sky is very clear, isn't it?
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 星, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 星, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
