About

The word "星星" is formed through the process of reduplication, where the single character 星 (xīng), meaning "star", is duplicated. This repetition creates a new term that evokes a semantic shift from a single, specific celestial body to a more general, plural, or diminutive concept, like the collective, twinkling expanse of stars in the night sky or the affectionate sense of "little star". The formation relies entirely on visual and conceptual repetition to soften and pluralize the original idea, creating a sense of multiplicity and diffuse light directly through its doubled form.

Example Sentences Hide

天上有许多星星

tiān shàng yǒu xǔduō xīngxing

There are many stars in the sky.

星星照亮了夜空。

xīngxing zhàoliàng le yè kōng

The stars lit up the night sky.

我小时候常数星星

wǒ xiǎo shíhou cháng shǔ xīngxing

I often counted stars when I was little.

在没有月亮的晚上,星星特别明亮。

zài méiyǒu yuèliang de wǎnshàng, xīngxing tèbié míngliàng

On nights without the moon, the stars are especially bright.

科学家通过研究星星来了解宇宙。

kēxuéjiā tōngguò yánjiū xīngxing lái liǎojiě yǔzhòu

Scientists study stars to understand the universe.

Word Definition - 星星

xīng xing (coll.) a star; the stars in the sky

Individual Character Details