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star

xīng
9 strokes · 日 (sun) + 生 (to be born) — lights born of the sun · HSK 1

Where 星 comes from

星 places 生 (to be born — which you learned) under 日 (sun): the little lights born when the sun retires. Ancient forms drew three tiny suns scattered — a night sky in miniature.

星 in Chinese culture

星 lights the calendar and the red carpet alike: 星期 (week — 'star period'), 明星 ('bright star' — a celebrity), 星星 (the doubled, affectionate word for stars kids use). Chinese astronomy mapped 28 lunar mansions of 星 millennia ago; today 五星 (five stars) rates hotels and flags the national emblem. From Polaris to pop idols, 星 covers everything that shines above the crowd.

Example

星期 xīngqī — week

星期天我们去公园。
Xīngqītiān wǒmen qù gōngyuán.
On Sunday we go to the park.

How to remember it

Born 生 from the sun 日 after dark — the STARS.

明星 'bright star' meant Venus in classical texts; now it means celebrities — same sky, new gods.

Same sound, different tones

1st xīng
star
2nd xíng
OK / to walk
4th xìng
surname

Words unlocked by 星

星期 xīngqī
week
星星 xīngxing
star(s)
明星 míngxīng
celebrity
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