Chinese word

星星

Pronunciation

Pinyinxīng xīng

Meaning

  • nounstar

Example

孩子指着天上的星星。hái zi zhǐ zhe tiān shàng de xīng xīng

The child points at the stars in the sky.

Illustration for 星星 (star)

More examples

我们在晚上数着星星。wǒ men zài wǎn shàng shù zhe xīng xīng

We count the stars at night.

Core concept

A bright speck in the night sky, seen alone or as part of a tender field of lights.

Common phrases

  • 天上的星星tiān shàng de xīng xīng

    stars in the sky

  • 闪亮的星星shǎn liàng de xīng xīng

    shining stars

  • 数着星星shù zhe xīng xīng

    count the stars

Similar words

星xīng: A neutral noun for a small point of light seen in the sky.

Definition in Chinese

口语中用于指夜空中的星或表示亲昵、成群的小光点，带有温柔或诗意的色彩。kóu yǔ zhōng yòng yú zhǐ yè kōng zhōng de xīng huò biǎo shì qīn nì chéng qún de xiǎo guāng diǎn dài yǒu wēn róu huò shī yì de sè cǎi

Word origin

星星 (xīngxīng, "stars") comes from repeating 星 (xīng, "star"), which here gives the basic noun a familiar and slightly poetic character.

Usage tips

  • In ordinary conversation, this form can refer to one star or many, so the surrounding context shows the number unless a counting expression makes it clear.

Related words

Word lists with this word