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March 24, 2026
星xīng(xing1)
The character 星 (xīng) primarily means 'star' and can refer to celestial bodies, including planets and satellites. It is often used in both literal contexts, such as astronomy, and metaphorical ones, like describing someone's brilliance or talent.
Strokes9Radical日Frequency#1269DifficultyEasy
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, stars have significant symbolic meanings, often associated with hope and guidance. The concept of wishing upon a star is reflected in traditional beliefs and practices, especially during festivals.
Memory tip
Imagine a shining star in the night sky. The character 星 is made up of the radical for 'fire' (火) at the bottom, suggesting the brightness of a star, and the top part resembles a constellation. Think of 'xīng' as a 'shining thing' in the sky.
Meanings of 星
xīng(xing1)
1star
2satellite
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 星 means.
About 星
星Simplified
9Strokes
日Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1269Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L1
Podcast: 星
Podcast: 星
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AI study notes for 星
Quick Contrast
星 (xīng) vs 行 (xíng) — use 星 when referring specifically to celestial bodies, while 行 relates to movement or behavior.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 星 with 形 (xíng), which means 'form' or 'shape.' It's important to use 星 in contexts related to light or celestial bodies. This word is informal and can be used in everyday conversation, as well as in poetic or literary contexts.
HSK Study Tips
Although 星 is not included in HSK levels, it connects with other HSK vocabulary related to nature and the sky, such as 天 (tiān, sky) and 月 (yuè, moon). Students should focus on using 星 in phrases and expressions related to astronomy and figurative language.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mispronounce 星 as 'xìng' instead of 'xīng.' Additionally, some may confuse it with other similar characters like 牲 (shēng), which means 'livestock.' Always remember the correct pronunciation and context for celestial references.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 星
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Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 星 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
星 = 日 + 生. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 星
IDS Structure⿱日生
星Full character
=
日Ri4
top
生sheng1
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 星?
How to say star in Chinese
“star” in Chinese is星xīng
The character 星 (xīng) primarily means 'star' and can refer to celestial bodies, including planets and satellites. It is often used in both literal contexts, such as astronomy, and metaphorical ones, like describing someone's brilliance or talent.
When to use 星
Common mistakes include confusing 星 with 形 (xíng), which means 'form' or 'shape.' It's important to use 星 in contexts related to light or celestial bodies. This word is informal and can be used in everyday conversation, as well as in poetic or literary contexts.
星 or something close to it
星 (xīng) vs 行 (xíng) — use 星 when referring specifically to celestial bodies, while 行 relates to movement or behavior.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mispronounce 星 as 'xìng' instead of 'xīng.' Additionally, some may confuse it with other similar characters like 牲 (shēng), which means 'livestock.' Always remember the correct pronunciation and context for celestial references.
Write 星
星
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Practice writing 星 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 星
星 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
