German word

Stern

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃtɛʁn/

Meaning

  • masculine nounstar

Example

Am Himmel sieht man viele Sterne.

You can see many stars in the sky.

Illustration for Stern (star)

More examples

Die Kinder zeigen auf einen Stern.

The children are pointing at a star.

Core concept

One bright object among countless points overhead, with the same image extending to an outstanding performer or person.

Common phrases

  • einen Stern am Nachthimmel

    a star in the night sky

  • auf einen Stern zeigen

    point at a star

Similar words

Sonne: The star that provides Earth with daylight and heat.
Planet: A celestial body orbiting a star without producing its own light.
Sternschnuppe: A small piece of dust or rock burning in the atmosphere as a streak of light.
Sternbild: A recognized pattern of stars forming a shape in the night sky.

Definition in German

Ein Gestirn am Himmel, das Licht aussendet und nachts als funkelnder Punkt zu sehen ist.

Word origin

The German noun Stern continues Old High German sterno and shares its Germanic ancestry with English star and related northern European words.

Usage tips

  • In contexts about entertainment or achievement, ein Stern can refer to a star or leading figure rather than an astronomical object.

Related words

  • Sternchenlittle starnoun
  • Sternbildconstellationnoun
  • sternförmigstar-shapedadjective

Word lists with this word