der
Star
📖 What does "der Star" mean?
The German word der Star has two main meanings:
- 🐦 A bird: It refers to the common starling (Sturnus vulgaris), a songbird often seen in large flocks, known for its ability to mimic the songs of other birds.
- 🌟 A famous person (celebrity): It refers to a very well-known and admired person, especially in fields like film, music, sports, or other public domains. This meaning is a loanword from English ("star").
🚨 Important: Although both meanings use the article "der", they represent two distinct concepts.
Article rules for der, die, and das
Large animals → mostly masculine.
🧐 Grammar of "der Star" in Detail
The noun der Star is masculine. Here are the declension tables:
Singular
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der | Star |
| Genitive | des | Star(e)s |
| Dative | dem | Star(e) |
| Accusative | den | Star |
Note: The Genitive and Dative forms ending in "-e" (Stares, Stare) are less common and considered more formal.
Plural
| Case | Article | Noun |
|---|---|---|
| Nominative | die | Stare / Stars |
| Genitive | der | Stare / Stars |
| Dative | den | Staren / Stars |
| Accusative | die | Stare / Stars |
Note: The plural Stare is mainly used for the birds. The plural Stars is almost exclusively used for famous people.
Example Sentences
- Bird: Im Herbst sammeln sich die Stare zu riesigen Schwärmen.
(In autumn, the starlings gather in huge flocks.) - Bird: Der Gesang des Stares ist sehr vielfältig.
(The song of the starling is very diverse.) - Celebrity: Dieser Schauspieler ist ein internationaler Star.
(This actor is an international star.) - Celebrity: Auf dem roten Teppich tummelten sich viele Stars.
(Many stars mingled on the red carpet.)
💬 How to use "der Star"?
Usage clearly depends on the meaning:
- Der Star (bird): Used in biological, ornithological, or nature-related contexts. You talk about the bird's behavior, characteristics, or habitat. The plural here is die Stare.
- Der Star (celebrity): Used in media, the entertainment industry, and everyday language to talk about famous personalities. The plural here is die Stars. This meaning is heavily influenced by English. Germans often use compounds like Filmstar, Popstar, Rockstar, Sportstar, etc.
⚠️ Confusion is rare in context, but be aware of the dual meaning. The article der applies to both meanings.
🧠 Mnemonics and Memory Aids
Article Mnemonic: Imagine DER famous man (a Star 🌟) watching a flock of birds – they are Stare (🐦). Both are grammatically masculine in German: der Star. Think: The star (man) watches the star (bird).
Meaning Mnemonic: A Star (bird) can imitate the songs of other 'Stars' (celebrities). It's like the 'star imitator' of the bird world.
🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms
- For bird: Sprehe (obsolete/regional), Gemeiner Star (species name)
- For celebrity: Berühmtheit (f.) (fame/celebrity), Prominenter/Promi (m.) (celebrity), Ikone (f.) (icon), Idol (n.) (idol), Held/Heldin (m./f.) (hero/heroine, depending on context)
Antonyms
- For celebrity: Unbekannter/Unbekannte (m./f.) (unknown person), Niemand/Nobody (m.) (nobody), Normalbürger/Normalbürgerin (m./f.) (ordinary citizen), Laie/Laiin (m./f.) (layperson)
- For bird: (No direct antonyms, perhaps other bird species)
Similar but Different Words
😂 A Little Joke
Fragt ein Star (Vogel) den anderen: "Hast du den neuen Hollywood-Blockbuster gesehen?"
Sagt der andere: "Nein, ich bin eher an Dokumentarfilmen über uns interessiert. Wir sind doch die wahren Stars am Himmel!"
Translation:
One starling asks the other: "Have you seen the new Hollywood blockbuster?"
The other replies: "No, I'm more interested in documentaries about us. After all, we are the real stars in the sky!"
🎤 Poem about "der Star"
Der Star, ein Vogel und ein Held
Ein Star sitzt auf dem Dache,
schwarz gefiedert, keine Frage.
Er pfeift ein Lied, so klar und rein,
kann viel Gesang vereinen.
Ein Star steht auf der Bühne groß,
von Fans geliebt, grandios.
Im Rampenlicht, ein heller Schein,
will von allen bewundert sein.
Zwei Welten, doch ein Wort benennt,
was man als Star erkennt.
Ob Vogel oder Mensch berühmt,
der Artikel ist bestimmt.
Translation:
The Star, a Bird and a Hero
A starling sits upon the roof,
black-feathered, that's the proof.
He whistles a song, so clear and pure,
can unite many songs, for sure.
A star stands on the stage so grand,
loved by fans throughout the land.
In the spotlight, a bright gleam,
wants to be admired, it would seem.
Two worlds, yet one word names the sight,
what's recognized as a star's light.
Whether bird or person famed,
der is the article proclaimed.
❓ Little Riddle
Ich kann fliegen, doch hab' kein Flugzeug.
Ich kann berühmt sein, doch bin kein König.
Manchmal schimmert mein Gefieder,
manchmal sing' ich deine Lieder (oder die der Amsel).
Man sieht mich auf dem roten Teppich oder im Garten.
Wer oder was bin ich?
Translation:
I can fly, but have no airplane.
I can be famous, but am no king.
Sometimes my plumage shimmers bright,
Sometimes I sing your songs (or the blackbird's) with delight.
You might see me on the red carpet or in the yard so green.
Who or what am I?
(Solution: der Star)
✨ Other Information
- Scientific Name (Bird): Sturnus vulgaris
- Etymology (Celebrity): The word "Star" for a famous person was adopted from English in the early 20th century. In English, it originally meant "celestial body" and was metaphorically applied to outstanding actors.
- Special Feature (Bird): Starlings are known for their impressive flock formations in the evening sky, called "murmurations".
📝 Summary: is it der, die or das Star?
The German word Star is always masculine. The correct form is der Star, regardless of whether you mean the bird (starling) or the famous person (celebrity).