तारा
tā́rā/tɑ́ː.ɾɑː/
The Sanskrit word for "star" is तारा (tā́rā).
The term तारा refers to a luminous celestial body made of plasma. In poetic or astrological contexts, you may also see the word नक्षत्र used to refer to a star or a celestial body.
Meaning: (astronomy) a luminous celestial body made of plasma (noun)
Which one should you use?
The word नक्षत्र can also be used to refer to a star or a celestial body in a poetic or astrological context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun तारा changes based on the number of stars being discussed: use तारौ to refer to exactly two stars and ताराः to refer to multiple stars.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /tɑ́ː.ɾɑː/. The syllables are 2.
Did you know?
- In Buddhist traditions influenced by Sanskrit, तारा is also the name of a female bodhisattva known as the 'Savioress'. Her name derives from the word for 'star' because she represents a guiding light.
- The Sanskrit word तारा is a direct linguistic cousin to the English word 'star', sharing the same ancient Proto-Indo-European root.
- While तारा refers to a star, the related word नक्षत्र refers to a lunar mansion. Ancient Indian astronomers divided the sky into 27 or 28 such divisions to track the moon's path.
Examples in context
- तारा प्रकाशं ददाति।tārā prakāśaṃ dadāti.The star gives light.
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at the night sky together.
- आदित्य Adityaकाव्या, तत्र पश्य, किम एषा तारा अस्ति?kāvyā, tatra paśya, kim eṣā tārā asti?Kavya, look there, is that a star?
- काव्या Kavyaआदित्य, आम्, सा एकः तारा अस्ति।āditya, ām, sā ekaḥ tārā asti.Aditya, yes, that is a star.
- आदित्य Adityaसा तारा अतीव सुन्दरी दृश्यते।sā tārā atīva sundarī dṛśyate.That star looks very beautiful.
- काव्या Kavyaसत्यम्, रात्रिः अतीव रमणीया अस्ति।satyam, rātriḥ atīva ramaṇīyā asti.True, the night is very pleasant.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry तारा, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries तारा, CC BY-SA 4.0.
