Which one should you use?
While stella is the standard term, you can use the synonym sidus to refer to a star or a constellation/celestial body. For a more formal or collective tone, the word sidera, which is the plural of sidus, can be used to imply a collection of stars or the starry sky as a whole.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun changes form based on its role in a sentence. The form stellam is used when the star is the direct object of a verb, such as in 'I see the star'. For multiple stars, use stellas if they are the direct object of a verb. To indicate possession or a relationship involving multiple stars, use the genitive plural stellarum, such as 'the light of the stars'. If you need the dative or ablative plural, use stellis, which is used for phrases like 'with the stars' or 'to the stars'.
Did you know?
- Latin has distinct words for different types of 'heavenly' objects, where stella is a fixed star and planeta refers to the 'wandering' stars.
- The phrase ad astra, meaning 'to the stars', is a common Latin motif used to describe the pursuit of high goals or immortality.
Examples in context
- Luna stella non est.The moon isn't a star.This sentence is useful for practicing the negative form with stella.Tatoeba #9015575 by shekitten, translation #9014451 by CK
- Num caeli stellam vides?Don’t you see the star in the sky?This sentence shows how to use stella when asking a question about seeing a star.Tatoeba #1914599 by alexmarcelo, translation #8799568 by jimkillock
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucia and Gaius are looking at the night sky.
- LuciaVide, Gai! Quam magna stella est!Look, Gaius! How big the star is!
- GaiusIta, Lucia. Stella lucet clare.Yes, Lucia. The star shines brightly.
- LuciaQuid est nomen huius stellae?What is the name of this star?
- GaiusHanc stellam non novi.I do not know this star.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries stella, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
