Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'star'

English Word: star

Key Russian Translations:

• звезда [ˈzvʲezdə] - [Formal; used for celestial bodies or celebrities]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday language, literature, and media)

Difficulty: A2 (basic level, suitable for beginners as it's a straightforward noun with regular inflections)

Pronunciation (Russian):

звезда: [ˈzvʲezdə]

Note on звезда: The stress falls on the first syllable. The 'з' is pronounced as a voiced alveolar fricative, and the 'в' is a voiced labiodental fricative. Pay attention to the palatalized 'з' in some regional accents.

Audio: Listen to pronunciation

Meanings and Usage:

1. A celestial body (e.g., a luminous ball of gas in the sky)

Translation(s) & Context:

• звезда - Used in scientific, poetic, or everyday contexts to refer to stars in the night sky.

Usage Examples:

• В ясную ночь на небе видны тысячи звёзд.

  On a clear night, thousands of stars are visible in the sky.

• Астрономы изучают звезду, которая светит ярче остальных.

  Astronomers are studying the star that shines brighter than the others.

• Дети любят смотреть на звезду Полярную, чтобы не потеряться.

  Children love to look at the North Star to avoid getting lost.

• Эта звезда в созвездии Ориона имеет уникальный цвет.

  This star in the Orion constellation has a unique color.

2. A famous person or celebrity (e.g., a movie star)

Translation(s) & Context:

• звезда - Informal or neutral context, often in media or entertainment discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Она — настоящая звезда Голливуда, снявшаяся в десятках фильмов.

  She is a real Hollywood star, having appeared in dozens of films.

• Молодой певец быстро стал звездой на российской сцене.

  The young singer quickly became a star on the Russian music scene.

• Звезда футбола Криштиану Роналду известен во всем мире.

  Football star Cristiano Ronaldo is known worldwide.

• В школьном спектакле она играла главную звезду.

  In the school play, she played the main star.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Звезда is a feminine noun in Russian, belonging to the first declension. It follows regular inflection patterns for nouns, with changes based on case and number. Below is a table of its inflections:

Note: The word is invariant in terms of gender but changes with case as shown. No irregular forms.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • светило (svetilo) - Often used poetically for stars or luminaries.
  • знаменитость (znamenitost') - Specifically for celebrities, emphasizing fame.
• Antonyms:
  • неизвестность (neizvestnost') - Meaning obscurity or anonymity, especially for the celebrity sense.

Related Phrases:

• Падающая звезда (padayushchaya zvezda) - A shooting star; used in wishes or folklore.
• Звезда экрана (zvezda ekrana) - Screen star; refers to a film or TV celebrity.
• Собственная звезда (sobstvennaya zvezda) - One's own star; metaphorical for personal destiny or fame.

Usage Notes:

The Russian word "звезда" directly corresponds to the English "star" in both literal and figurative senses, but context is key. In formal writing, it's used for astronomical terms, while in informal speech, it often denotes celebrities. Be mindful of gender agreement in sentences (e.g., adjectives and verbs must agree with its feminine form). When choosing between translations, opt for "звезда" in most cases, but if emphasizing fame, it aligns well with English idioms like "movie star." Avoid direct word-for-word translation in complex sentences to maintain natural flow.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "звезда" in the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я вижу звезду" when the context requires genitive like "Я думаю о звезде" (I am thinking about the star).

  Correct: Ensure proper case usage based on the preposition or sentence structure, e.g., "Я думаю о звезде" vs. incorrect "Я думаю звезду".

• Error: Confusing it with similar words like "заря" (dawn), leading to misuse in astronomical contexts.

  Correct: "Звезда" specifically means a star, not a dawn or light; for example, say "В небе звезда" instead of "В небе заря" for "A star in the sky".

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, "звезда" carries symbolic meanings, such as in folklore where falling stars are seen as omens or wishes. It also appears in literature, like in Pushkin's works, symbolizing aspiration or destiny. For celebrities, the term reflects Russia's vibrant entertainment industry, often linked to state awards like the "People's Artist" title, highlighting national pride in cultural icons.

Related Concepts:

• планета (planeta) - Planet
• созвездие (sozvezdie) - Constellation
• знаменитость (znamenitost') - Celebrity