星
star, spot, dot, mark
Readings
On'yomi
- セイ
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
- ほし
- -ぼし
Meaning
星 centers on a small bright point in the sky or on a surface: a star, a spot, a dot, or a mark. The meanings share the idea of a distinct, often luminous, point.
Most common words using 星
24 of 463- 星ほしN4
star (usu. excluding the Sun); planet (usu. excluding Earth); heavenly body
- 惑星わくせいN1
planet
- 衛星えいせいN2
(natural) satellite; moon
- 火星かせいN1
Mars (planet)
- 星座せいざN1
constellation
- 星空ほしぞら
starry sky
- 彗星すいせい
comet
- 木星もくせいN1
Jupiter (planet)
- 小惑星しょうわくせい
asteroid
- 金星きんぼし
dazzling victory
- 金星きんせいN1
Venus (planet)
- 土星どせいN1
Saturn (planet)
- 流れ星ながれぼし
shooting star; falling star; meteor
- 恒星こうせい
star
- 明星みょうじょう
morning star; Venus
- 白星しろぼし
white circle; white star
- 星条旗せいじょうき
Stars and Stripes (US flag)
- 新星しんせい
nova
- 黒星くろぼし
black spot; black dot; bull's-eye
- 水星すいせいN1
Mercury (planet)
- 勝ち星かちぼし
(mark indicating) a win
- 天王星てんのうせい
Uranus (planet)
- 海王星かいおうせい
Neptune (planet)
- 巨星きょせい
giant star
Study
Etymology
星 combines 日 (sun) and 生 (life/birth), originally representing the idea of stars as 'living' or 'bright' celestial bodies. The modern form preserves this semantic combination.
Meaning mnemonic
The sun 日 above new life 生: imagine stars as suns being born in the night sky, each a bright spot or dot.
Reading mnemonic
For セイ, picture a star saying its own name: 'Say, I'm a star!' — 'Say' cues セイ, and the star speaks its bright identity.