ngôi sao
[ŋoj˧˧ saːw˧˧]word by word
The English word "star" is translated into Vietnamese as ngôi sao.
In an astronomical context, a star is a luminous celestial body made of plasma. The term ngôi sao is also used metaphorically to refer to celebrities or famous people, similar to how the word is used in English. Other specific celestial terms include sao băng for a shooting star or meteor, and sao chổi for a comet. If you are referring to artificial stars, you would use Nhân tạo.
Meaning: (astronomy) a luminous celestial body made of plasma (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of ngôi, which acts as a classifier for stars or certain objects and positions and sao, which means star.
Which one should you use?
While ngôi sao is the standard form, the word Sao can also be used to mean star. To describe someone who is outstanding or exceptional, the colloquial term Số một is used.
Did you know?
- The classifier ngôi in ngôi sao likely evolved from a word meaning 'to sit' or 'seat', suggesting that stars are viewed as objects occupying a fixed position or 'seat' in the sky.
- The term ngôi sao for a celebrity is actually a semantic loan from the English word 'star', meaning the metaphorical usage was borrowed directly from Western influence.
Examples in context
- Mặt trời là một ngôi sao.The sun is a star.This sentence uses ngôi sao to identify the sun as a star.Tatoeba #13628462 by leucammieuvu, translation #2300598 by Hybrid
- Ngôi sao điện ảnh mà bạn yêu thích là ai?Who's your favorite movie star?This sentence uses ngôi sao to refer to a movie star.Tatoeba #9734401 by dotheduyet1999, translation #908727 by CK
- Tom đang nhìn qua cửa sổ thì một ngôi sao băng từ trên trời rơi xuống.While Tom was looking through the window, a shooting star fell from the sky.This sentence uses ngôi sao to describe a shooting star.Tatoeba #9778113 by dotheduyet1999, translation #2966776 by AlanF_US
- Trên trời đầy sao sáng.The sky is full of shining stars.
- Anh ta là một sao điện ảnh nổi tiếng.He is a famous film star.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is looking at the night sky in a park.
- HươngNhìn kìa, có một ngôi sao rất sáng.Look, there is a very bright star.
- MinhĐúng vậy, ngôi sao đó thật đẹp.That's right, that star is beautiful.
- HươngMinh có thấy ngôi sao đó không?Minh, do you see that star?
- MinhAnh thấy rồi, nó ở ngay kia.I see it, it is right over there.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (ngôi, sao) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ngôi, sao, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
