Definitions

xīng (noun) star; celestial body
xīng (noun) small amount

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

星 consists of the sun radical 日 at the top, which sets its semantic category within celestial phenomena, and the component 生 below, which provides its phonetic cue. While 日 originally depicts the sun, 星 more broadly denotes stars and other bright astronomical objects seen in the sky. The composition evokes the idea of lights emerging in the heavens. This character is used across fields like astronomy and astrology, and in modern times, it metaphorically refers to famous people, especially celebrities in entertainment.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze (~1200 - 221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

天上的很亮。

Tiān shàng de xīngxīng hěn liàng.

The stars in the sky are very bright.

我喜欢看

Wǒ xǐhuān kàn xīngxīng.

I like to look at stars.

在夜空中闪烁。

Xīngxīng zài yèkōng zhōng shǎnshuò.

Stars twinkle in the night sky.

北斗是指路的好帮手。

Běidǒuxīng shì zhǐ lù de hǎo bāngshǒu.

The Big Dipper is a good helper for direction.

天文学家研究球。

Tiānwén xuéjiā yánjiū xīngqiú.

Astronomers study planets.

座的故事很有趣。

Xīngzuò de gùshì hěn yǒuqù.

The stories of constellations are very interesting.

上可能有生命。

Huǒxīng shàng kěnéng yǒu shēngmìng.

There might be life on Mars.

际旅行是未来的梦想。

Xīngjì lǚxíng shì wèilái de mèngxiǎng.

Interstellar travel is a dream of the future.