Star in different languages

Star in Different Languages

Discover 'Star' in 134 Languages: Dive into Translations, Hear Pronunciations, and Uncover Cultural Insights.

Updated on March 6, 2024

Stars have fascinated humans for millennia, serving as navigation tools, sources of light in the darkness, and symbols of hope and dreams. From ancient astrology to modern astronomy, stars have played a significant role in shaping human culture and understanding of the universe. The word 'star' itself has been translated into various languages, reflecting the global impact and cultural importance of these celestial bodies.

For instance, in Spanish, the word for star is 'estrella,' while in French, it's 'étoile.' In Mandarin Chinese, the word for star is '星,' and in Japanese, it's '星 constellation' ('hoshi' for a single star). In Hawaiian, the word for star is 'hoku,' and in Maori, it's 'punga waiora.' These translations not only reflect linguistic differences but also cultural variations in how stars are perceived and valued.

Understanding the translation of the word 'star' in different languages can provide insight into the cultural significance of stars in various parts of the world. It can also help facilitate cross-cultural communication and appreciation for the universal beauty and significance of stars.

Star


Star in Sub-Saharan African Languages

Afrikaansster
The Afrikaans word "ster" also refers to a type of firework and to someone who excels in a particular activity.
Amharicኮከብ
The word 'ኮከብ' can also refer to a pupil of the eye, a flower, or one who excels.
Hausatauraro
In Hausa, the word "tauraro" can also mean "a leader" or "a guide", reflecting the importance of stars in navigation and direction-finding.
Igbokpakpando
In the Igbo language, the word "kpakpando" refers not only to a celestial body but also to a type of firework or a decorative accessory resembling a star.
Malagasykintana
In astronomy, the name "kintana" is also used to refer to planets and satellites.
Nyanja (Chichewa)nyenyezi
The word "nyenyezi" can also refer to the image of a star made from flour paste that is placed on a person's forehead at a funeral ceremony.
Shonanyeredzi
The word "nyeredzi" is also used to refer to a type of mineral that is used in traditional medicine.
Somalixiddig
The Somali word for "star" "xiddig" is related to the Arabic word "siddiq" meaning "honest", "truthful" and can also refer to something that is "clear" or "evident".
Sesothonaleli
Besides representing the concept of "star", the phrase "hobane haleli" (literally the house or residence of the stars) often refers to the evening after the sunset when there are still some shining stars.
Swahilinyota
In Swahili, "nyota" also refers to a person with exceptional talent or brilliance, commonly known as a "shining star".
Xhosainkwenkwezi
'Inkwenkwezi' derives from the verb 'ukukwenkweza,' meaning 'to gleam' or 'to flash,' referring to the radiant nature of stars.
Yorubairawọ
Yoruba word irawọ may derive from the root ìràn, meaning "to shine" or "luminous"
Zuluinkanyezi
The word "inkanyezi" (star) in Zulu also refers to a person who is exceptional or outstanding in their field.
Bambaradolo
Eweɣletivi
Kinyarwandainyenyeri
Lingalamonzoto
Lugandaemmunyeenye
Sepedinaledi
Twi (Akan)nsoroma

Star in North African & Middle Eastern Languages

Arabicنجمة
The root of the Arabic word "نجمة" (star) means "to gleam" or "to glitter," and it also refers to a "mark" or "a dot."
Hebrewכוכב
In modern Hebrew, "כוכב" (star) can also refer to a famous person or a planet.
Pashtoستوری
The Pashto word "ستوري" also has alternate meanings such as "luck" or "destiny".
Arabicنجمة
The root of the Arabic word "نجمة" (star) means "to gleam" or "to glitter," and it also refers to a "mark" or "a dot."

Star in Western European Languages

Albanianyll
In Albanian, the word "yll" can also mean "fate" or "destiny."
Basqueizarra
The Basque word “izarra” for “star” likely comes from the Proto-Basque root *eizar-, meaning “light” or “brightness”.
Catalanestrella
In Catalan, "estrella" can also refer to a person who excels in their field or a type of firework.
Croatianzvijezda
The Croatian word 'zvijezda' also refers to a type of flower known as the 'morning star' or 'day lily'.
Danishstjerne
The term "stjerne" is derived from the Old Norse word "stjarna", meaning "scattered lights in the sky".
Dutchster
In Dutch, “ster” means not only a celestial body, but also a leading figure in the field of culture or entertainment.
Englishstar
The word "star" derives from the Proto-Indo-European root "h₂ster-". Related words include "stare", "stella", "astr-," and "asterisk"
Frenchétoile
The French word "étoile" derives from the Latin word "stella", meaning "star", and is also used to refer to a geometrical shape or a famous dancer or performer.
Frisianstjer
The Frisian word “stjergə”, meaning “steer” or “bull,” may share a Proto-Germanic root with “star”.
Galicianestrela
In Galician, "estrela" can also refer to an anchor's fluke or a type of shellfish.
Germanstar
In German "der Star" also refers to a popular artist or celebrity.
Icelandicstjarna
The word "stjarna" (star) evolved from the Proto-Norse "sternon", an alteration of the Proto-Germanic "starnon" meaning "a shining one".
Irishréalta
The term 'réalta' also refers to a particular class of spirits in Irish folklore, who are said to live in the sky.
Italianstella
The word "stella" originates from the Latin word "stella" and can also refer to a famous or influential person.
Luxembourgishstär
Maltesestilla
It is an Arabic loanword, cognate to the Italian word "stella" and the Spanish word "estrella".
Norwegianstjerne
The name "stjerne" derives from the Proto-Nordic word "sternon" which has cognates in all other Germanic language branches except English.
Portuguese (Portugal, Brazil)estrela
The Portuguese word "Estrela" derives from the Latin word "stella," meaning "star," and is also used in Brazilian Portuguese to refer to a type of beer.
Scots Gaelicrionnag
The word "rionnag" also means "small knob or protuberance" in some contexts.
Spanishestrella
The word "estrella" in Spanish stems from the Latin "stella", which referred to both celestial bodies and one's destiny or fortune.
Swedishstjärna
Stjärna is likely derived from Old Norse 'stjarna', meaning shining.
Welshseren
"Seren," meaning "star" in Welsh, is thought to derive from the Proto-Celtic word "sterno" or "stera," which also translates to "star".

Star in Eastern European Languages

Belarusianзорка
In Belarusian, зорка ("star") can also refer to the pupil of an eye or a prominent person.
Bosnianzvijezda
The Bosnian word for "star" ("zvijezda") derives from the Proto-Slavic word "zvệzda", meaning "light" or "heavenly body".
Bulgarianзвезда
In Bulgarian a "звезда" can be a star in the sky, the pupil of a cat's eye, a celebrity, or a snowflake.
Czechhvězda
The word "hvězda" is cognate with the Latin "stella" and the Greek "astēr", meaning "star".
Estoniantäht
The word "täht" in Estonian can also mean "letter" or "dot."
Finnishtähti
Finnish
Hungariancsillag
The word "csillag" in Hungarian derives from the Proto-Uralic word *kilta, meaning "moon".
Latvianzvaigzne
The Latvian word "zvaigzne" for "star" is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "h₂stḗr", which also gave rise to the English word "star", the Greek word "ἀστήρ (astḗr)", and the Sanskrit word "stara".
Lithuanianžvaigždė
The Lithuanian word "žvaigždė" cognate with Russian "звезда" and Sanskrit "तारा" (
Macedonianѕвезда
The word "ѕвезда" is derived from the Proto-Slavic word *zvězda, which also means "star" and is related to the Sanskrit word "dhruva", meaning "fixed point".
Polishgwiazda
The word 'gwiazda' comes from the Proto-Slavic word 'gvězda' meaning 'star', and is also related to the words 'gawęda' (tale) and 'gwiazdka' (Christmas star).
Romanianstea
"Stea" is etymologically related to the Slavic word "světlo" and the Latin word "stella", all meaning "star".
Russianзвезда
The name 'звезда' also refers to a fortress with radial walls, most common in the Russian far north and Siberia.
Serbianзвезда
In astronomy, the term "звезда" can refer to any celestial body, including planets, moons, asteroids, and comets.
Slovakhviezda
The word "hviezda" derives from the Proto-Slavic word "gvězda", which means both "star" and "luminary", suggesting its importance in Slavic mythology.
Slovenianzvezda
"Zvezda" is also a popular Slovenian beer brand (Zvezda "Gold" lager in particular) with a 160-year-long tradition.
Ukrainianзірка
The word "зірка" can also mean "a famous person" in Ukrainian.

Star in South Asian Languages

Bengaliতারা
The word " তারা " (tara) in Bengali can also mean "they" in the sense of a group of people.
Gujaratiતારો
"તારો" also means "thread" or "fine silver wire" in Gujarati.
Hindiसितारा
The word "सितारा" (star) in Hindi likely originates from the Sanskrit word "sitara," which can also refer to a piece of jewelry or an ornamental button used on clothing.
Kannadaನಕ್ಷತ್ರ
The Kannada word "ನಕ್ಷತ್ರ" (nakṣatra) comes from the Sanskrit term "nakṣatram," and can also refer to a lunar mansion in Vedic astronomy.
Malayalamനക്ഷത്രം
"നക്ഷത്രം" means "star", and is also used to mean "constellation" or "a group of stars forming a recognizable pattern in the night sky."
Marathiतारा
The word "तारा" also means "pupil of the eye" in Marathi.
Nepaliतारा
In Sanskrit, the word "तारा" also means "pupil of the eye" or "iris".
Punjabiਤਾਰਾ
The word "ਤਾਰਾ" in Punjabi can also refer to a musical string, a rope, or a thread.
Sinhala (Sinhalese)තරුව
The Sinhala word තරුව (star) is cognate with the Sanskrit word तारा (star) and the Proto-Indo-European word *h₂stḗr (star).
Tamilநட்சத்திரம்
The word "நட்சத்திரம்" (star) in Tamil is derived from the Sanskrit word "nakshatra", which originally meant "night station" or "celestial body".
Teluguనక్షత్రం
The word "నక్షత్రం" can also refer to a deity associated with stars in Hindu mythology.
Urduستارہ
"سِتارہ" is a Persian word that has also been adopted into Urdu and is cognate with the Hindi word "तारा" (taara).

Star in East Asian Languages

Chinese (Simplified)
The word "星" (star) in Chinese also refers to a mark on a person's face, such as a beauty mark or a mole.
Chinese (Traditional)
星 can also signify a specific number (ten), a type of tree, or even a surname
Japanese
The character "星" can also mean "fate" or "destiny" in Japanese.
Korean
별 is often used figuratively as a metaphor for something outstanding, such as a renowned celebrity or a student that performs exceptionally well on exams
Mongolianод
The word "од" also means "heaven", "fate", or "luck" in Mongolian.
Myanmar (Burmese)ကြယ်ပွင့်

Star in South East Asian Languages

Indonesianbintang
Bintang, meaning 'star' in Indonesian, derives from the Proto-Austronesian word *bituŋ, also meaning 'star' or 'sky'.
Javaneselintang
"lintang" is also used to refer to a person's fortune or destiny.
Khmerផ្កាយ
The word "ផ្កាយ" is also used in Khmer to refer to a gun or firearm.
Laoດາວ
The Lao word "ດາວ" can also refer to a person of high rank or a celebrity.
Malaybintang
The word "bintang" also has the meaning of "a person who excels in a field" in Malay, derived from the Sanskrit word "bintangka" with the same meaning.
Thaiดาว
ดาว (Thai) is a homophone and cognate with the Sanskrit word 'tara', which also means 'star'.
Vietnamesengôi sao
"Ngôi sao" (literally "sit down") in Vietnamese refers to the idea of a "resting place" in the sky.
Filipino (Tagalog)bituin

Star in Central Asian Languages

Azerbaijaniulduz
The word "ulduz" also means "luck" or "fate" in Azerbaijani.
Kazakhжұлдыз
The Kazakh word "жұлдыз" is of Persian origin and can also refer to a constellation or an asteroid.
Kyrgyzжылдыз
The word "жылдыз" is also used to refer to "luck" or "fate" in Kyrgyz.
Tajikситора
"Ситора" can also be used as a female name in Tajiki.
Turkmenýyldyz
Uzbekyulduz
The Uzbek word "Yulduz" is etymologically related to the Turkic word "yuldiz", meaning "a guiding light" or "a landmark", and also refers to the North Star in Uzbek folklore.
Uyghurstar

Star in Pacific Languages

Hawaiianhōkū
The word 'hōkū' can also refer to a celestial body, such as a planet or moon.
Maoriwhetu
The word "whetu" in Maori can also refer to a comet or a constellation
Samoanfetu
The word "fetu" is a common noun for "star" but can also mean "heavenly body" like a planet or "the light of a star"
Tagalog (Filipino)bituin
The word "bituin" in Tagalog is derived from the Proto-Austronesian word *bituŋ, which also means "star."

Star in American Indigenous Languages

Aymarawara wara
Guaranimbyja

Star in International Languages

Esperantostelo
The term is borrowed from Greek στῆλος or Latin stelos, and has been used as a synonym for "star" since the 16th century.
Latinstella
The Latin word "stella" also meant "light", "brightness" or "constellation".

Star in Others Languages

Greekαστέρι
The word 'αστέρι' is derived from the Proto-Indo-European word 'h₂ster-' meaning 'star', which is also the origin of the English word 'star'. The word 'αστέρι' can also refer to a person's fate or destiny.
Hmonglub hnub qub
The word "lub hnub qub" (star) in Hmong literally means "heavenly eye fire".
Kurdishstêrk
The Kurmanji word "stêrk" (star) is used in names with the meaning of hope; it is thought that the word's primary root is of Iranian origin, and similar forms also appear in other Iranian languages.
Turkishstar
The word "star" is also used in Turkish to indicate "celebrity"
Xhosainkwenkwezi
'Inkwenkwezi' derives from the verb 'ukukwenkweza,' meaning 'to gleam' or 'to flash,' referring to the radiant nature of stars.
Yiddishשטערן
The Yiddish word "שטערן" also means "forehead" and is the origin of the English word "stern" meaning "back" or "posterior"
Zuluinkanyezi
The word "inkanyezi" (star) in Zulu also refers to a person who is exceptional or outstanding in their field.
Assameseতৰা
Aymarawara wara
Bhojpuriतारा
Dhivehiތަރި
Dogriतारा
Filipino (Tagalog)bituin
Guaranimbyja
Ilocanobituen
Kriosta
Kurdish (Sorani)ئەستێرە
Maithiliतारा
Meiteilon (Manipuri)ꯊꯋꯥꯟꯃꯤꯆꯥꯛ
Mizoarsi
Oromourjii
Odia (Oriya)ତାରା
Quechuaquyllur
Sanskritनक्षत्र
Tatarйолдыз
Tigrinyaኮኾብ
Tsonganyeleti

Click on a letter to browse words starting with that letter