スターダスト
sutādasuto[sɨta̠ːda̠sɨto̞]
The English word stardust is translated into Japanese as スターダスト (sutādasuto).
The term is used to describe imaginary magic dust or powder that is supposedly able to grant someone charisma or other positive qualities.
Meaning: imaginary magic dust or powder supposedly able to give one charisma or other positive qualities (noun)
Which one should you use?
The katakana form スターダスト is used for the loanword concept of 'stardust'. In contrast, the native Japanese word 星屑 (hoshikuzu) is used when referring to actual physical stardust or cosmic dust.
How do you pronounce it?
sutādasuto
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the component 屑 (kuzu) in the word 星屑 (hoshikuzu) literally means 'scraps' or 'waste', which can give the word a sense of 'cosmic debris' rather than just beautiful light.
- There is a subtle distinction in nuance: using the katakana スターダスト can evoke the 'glamour' of a celebrity, whereas the native 星屑 (hoshikuzu) is more likely to evoke a sense of loneliness or insignificance in the vast universe.
- While the English word 'stardust' is often used poetically, the Japanese katakana version スターダスト (sutādasuto) is frequently used in pop culture specifically to name special attacks or magical abilities in anime.
Examples in context
- 彼女の目にはいつも星屑が輝いて見える。Her eyes always sparkle like stardust.
- 彼の歌声はまるでスターダストのようだ。His singing voice is like stardust.
- 彼女の指先から星塵が散っていた。Stardust was scattered from her fingertips.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are talking about a glamorous celebrity.
- 結衣 Yuiあの俳優さんは、本当にオーラがありますね。Ano haiyū-san wa, hontō ni ōra ga arimasu ne.That actor really has an aura.
- 健太 Kentaまるでスターダストをまとっているみたいだ。Marude sutādasuto o matotte iru mitai da.It's as if he's wearing stardust.
- 結衣 Yui私もそんな魔法が使えたらいいのに。Watashi mo sonna mahō ga tsukaeta ra ii noni.I wish I could use magic like that too.
- 健太 Kenta結衣なら、もう十分魅力的だよ。Yui nara, mō jūbun miryokuteki da yo.As for you, Yui, you're already charming enough.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry スターダスト, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
