der Star
star
A very famous and successful person, especially in film, music, or sports.
EXAMPLE
Dieser Schauspieler ist ein international gefeierter Star.
This actor is an internationally celebrated star.
der Star
star / starling / cataract
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Meanings
der Star
starling
A medium-sized songbird, often appearing in large flocks, with dark, metallic-shimmering plumage.
EXAMPLE
Im Herbst sammeln sich die Stare, bevor sie in den Süden ziehen.
In autumn, the starlings gather before they migrate south.
der Star
cataract / glaucoma
An eye disease in which the lens of the eye becomes cloudy (Grauer Star) or the pressure inside the eye is elevated (Grüner Star).
EXAMPLE
Meine Großmutter muss wegen des Grauen Stars operiert werden.
My grandmother has to have surgery because of her cataracts.
Usage tips
Context clues
The context makes clear which 'Star' is meant. If it is about film, music, or sports, it is a famous person. In texts about nature, it is the bird. In a medical context, it is an eye disease.
EXAMPLE
Dieser Sänger wurde über Nacht zum Star.
This singer became a star overnight.
Origin of the meanings
The meaning 'berühmte Person' (famous person) was borrowed from English. The meanings 'Vogel' (bird) and 'Augenkrankheit' (eye disease), however, are original German words. This explains the major differences in meaning.
EXAMPLE
Es ist faszinierend, wie ein Wort so verschiedene Dinge bedeuten kann wie der Star.
It is fascinating how one word can mean such different things as 'der Star'.
Fixed terms
In medical contexts, 'Star' is almost always used in the fixed terms 'der Graue Star' (cataract) or 'der Grüne Star' (glaucoma). The word rarely stands alone here.
EXAMPLE
Eine Operation wegen des Grauen Stars ist heutzutage ein Routineeingriff.
Surgery for cataracts is a routine procedure nowadays.
Typical collocations
As a famous person, 'Star' is often combined with a field to form a compound, e.g. 'Filmstar' (film star), 'Popstar' (pop star), or 'Fußballstar' (football/soccer star). The phrase 'zum Star werden' (to become a star) is also very common.
EXAMPLE
Durch diese Rolle wurde sie über Nacht zum gefeierten Filmstar.
Through this role, she became a celebrated film star overnight.
Compare with
Star vs Stern
star
Star and Stern can both refer to a famous, successful person. Star is the usual standalone term. Stern usually sounds figurative and often appears in expressions such as „Stern am Theaterhimmel“ (a star in the theater world). Without such imagery, Star is usually the better choice.
Star
Nach ihrem großen Erfolg wurde die junge Schauspielerin zum Star.
After her major success, the young actress became a star.
Stern
Nach ihrem großen Erfolg galt die junge Schauspielerin als neuer Stern am Theaterhimmel.
After her major success, the young actress was regarded as a new star in the theater world.
In real life
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