yıldız
/jɯɫˈdɯz/
The English word "star" is translated into Turkish as yıldız.
In astronomy, yıldız refers to a luminous celestial body made of plasma. It is also used metaphorically to refer to a celebrity or a famous person, similar to how the word is used in English. For specific celestial terms, you can use yıldız kayması or kayan yıldız to mean a shooting star and either Yıldız takımı or takımyıldızı to refer to a star constellation.
Meaning: (astronomy) a luminous celestial body made of plasma (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term for a shooting star, yıldız kayması, literally translates to "star sliding" or "star slipping".
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the word plural, use yıldızlar for "stars". If the star is the direct object of a verb, it takes the accusative suffix -ı, becoming yıldızı.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /jɯɫˈdɯz/. The /j/ sound is like the [y] in "yes", the /ɯ/ sound is somewhat like the [o] in "ribbon" and the /z/ sound is like the [z] in "zone".
Did you know?
- The word yıldız is a common Turkish given name for both men and women. It reflects a cultural tradition of naming children after celestial bodies or natural beauty.
- The Ottoman Empire used a stylized crescent and yıldız on its flags. This combination eventually became the foundation for the modern flag of Turkey.
- The word yıldız evolved from the Old Anatolian Turkish form yulduz. This shows a common vowel shift in the history of the Turkish language.
Examples in context
- O bir pop yıldızı.She is a pop star.This sentence shows how yıldız is used to refer to a celebrity.Tatoeba #7986713 by SadeceTurkce, translation #8805790 by moman
- Şu kayan yıldıza bak.Look at that shooting star.Tatoeba #1311188 by soliloquist, translation #67789 by CK
- O yıldızı takip edin.Follow that star.This sentence uses yıldızı as the direct object of a verb.Tatoeba #5911965 by deyta, translation #5906624 by usagi
- Bu gece gökyüzündeki yıldızlar çok parlak.The stars in the sky are very bright tonight.
- 168 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is stargazing in a dark field.
- MerveBak, en parlak yıldız orada.Look, the brightest star is there.
- MehmetEvet, çok güzel görünüyor.Yes, it looks very beautiful.
- MerveGökyüzünde çok fazla yıldız var.There are so many stars in the sky.
- MehmetMerve, bir yıldız kaydı!Merve, a star fell!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry yıldız, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries yıldız, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
