1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “星” (hoshi) means “star.” It represents celestial bodies that shine in the night sky and is often associated with navigation, guidance, and beauty.
2. Formation and Radicals
The kanji “星” is a phonetic-ideographic character (形声文字). It combines the radical for “star” (星) with the phonetic component “生” (sei), which contributes to its pronunciation.
The radical for “星” is 星, which signifies its meaning related to stars and celestial objects.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “星” are:
- 星座 (seiza) – constellation
- 明星 (myoujou) – morning star
- 星空 (hoshizora) – starry sky
Example sentence in daily conversation:
「今夜は星がとてもきれいですね。」 (Kon’ya wa hoshi ga totemo kirei desu ne.) – “The stars are very beautiful tonight.”
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 光 (hikari) – light, which refers to the illumination emitted by stars.
- 天体 (tentai) – celestial body, which encompasses stars, planets, and other astronomical objects.
Antonyms include:
- 闇 (yami) – darkness, which represents the absence of light and stars.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The concept of “星” is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, where stars are often associated with guidance and hope. They appear in various traditional stories and folklore.
Proverbs and idioms related to “星” include:
- 星の数ほど (hoshi no kazu hodo) – “as many as the stars,” meaning countless or innumerable.
- 星に願いを (hoshi ni negai wo) – “wish upon a star,” a common phrase expressing hope and dreams.