How to Say "The Star" in French

l'étoile

The English phrase "the star" is translated into French as l'étoile.

To refer specifically to a famous celebrity or someone in the context of showbiz, French speakers use la star.

Which one should you use?

While l'étoile refers to a celestial body, la star is often used in French to refer specifically to a famous celebrity.

The phrase l'étoile uses the elided form of the definite article la because étoile begins with a vowel.

In the world of ballet, the title of étoile is the highest rank a dancer can achieve at the Paris Opera Ballet. It is not a promotion based on seniority but is awarded by the director based on exceptional talent.
The word étoile comes from the Latin stella. While English took 'star' from a Germanic root, French maintained the Latin connection, making it a distant cousin to the English word 'stellar'.
The French expression voir les étoiles (to see the stars) is not always about astronomy. It can be used idiomatically to describe the sensation of seeing stars after a hard blow to the head.

Est-ce que tu vois l'étoile ?
Do you see the star?
This sentence is useful for asking if someone sees l'étoile.
Tatoeba #2366363 by nimfeo, translation #1912215 by Luornu
Je vois l'étoile.
I see the star.
This sentence is useful for stating that you see l'étoile.
Tatoeba #2366367 by nimfeo, translation #1912218 by Luornu
L'étoile est si brillante qu'on peut la voir à l'œil nu.
The star is so bright that it can be seen with the naked eye.
This sentence is useful for describing how bright l'étoile is.
Tatoeba #1108603 by sacredceltic, translation #1121247 by Scotland
Cette vedette est célèbre au Québec depuis de nombreuses années.
This star has been famous in Quebec for many years.
2 more sentences on Tatoeba

Nathan and Emma are looking at a night sky through a telescope.

Sources

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