How to say "star" in Japanese

• 星ほしJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThe ordinary word for stars in the night sky; it also covers planets and other heavenly bodies, though usually not the Sun or the Earth themselves. Typical context: stargazing or a starry sky.
  昨夜さくや、屋上おくじょうから星ほしを観察かんさつした。↗

  Last night, we watched the stars from the rooftop.
• スターJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe figurative sense: a star of the screen, stage, or sports — a celebrity. When English 'star' refers to a famous person rather than a heavenly body, this loanword is what you want.
  スターの野球やきゅう選手せんしゅはよくサインを求もとめられる。↗

  Star baseball players are often asked for autographs.
• 恒星こうせいCommon
  nounThe astronomical term for a star as a celestial object, as opposed to a planet. Use it in scientific or technical discussion; for stars in the night sky generally, 星 is the word.
  惑星わくせいは恒星こうせいの周まわりを回まわる。↗

  Planets move around a fixed star.
• 名優めいゆうCommon
  nounReally means a great or famous actor; as a translation of 'star' it fits only renowned actors, emphasizing acting greatness. Typical context: film criticism or tribute to a celebrated actor.
  彼かれは自分じぶんが名優めいゆうだとうぬぼれた。↗

  He flattered himself that he was the best actor.
• アイドルCommon
  nounMeans an idol: a popular young entertainer, typically a singer, with a devoted fan following. It matches 'star' only in this narrow sense, not for celebrities in general.
  彼女かのじょはいわば我々われわれのアイドルだった。↗

  She was, so to speak, our idol.

Use 星 for stars in the night sky and 恒星 in astronomical contexts; for people, 「スター」 is the general word for a celebrity, while 名優 and 「アイドル」 cover only a great actor and a pop idol respectively.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 星ほしstar (usu. excluding the Sun)
• スターstar (actor, athlete, etc.)
• 恒星こうせいstar
• 名優めいゆうgreat actor
• 星印ほしじるしstar (symbol)
• エトワールstar
• 主演者しゅえんしゃstar
• 千両役者せんりょうやくしゃstar (actor)
• 星斗せいとstar
• 星月ほしづきstar (white patch on the forehead of a horse)
• お星様おほしさまstar
• 星さまほしさまstar
• 星章せいしょうstar (badge)
• 巨擘きょはくauthority
• 人気役者にんきやくしゃstage favorite
• 立役者たてやくしゃleading actor
• アイドル(cultural) icon
• 花形はながたstar (actor, player, etc.)
• 明星みょうじょうpreeminent person (within their own field)
• 寵児ちょうじdarling
• 金看板きんかんばんmain feature