star
star — 動詞
1. to act the leading character of a movie, theatre piece, or television show; also
主演
在電影、戲劇等中擔任主要演員
to act the leading character of a movie, theatre piece, or television show; also said of the show itself, meaning that it gives that lead character to a specific performer.
Sayaka starred in a Japanese film about a deaf violinist who learns to dance.
Sayaka 主演了一部日本電影，劇中飾演一位學跳舞的失聰小提琴家。
intransitive: star in + [work]
The new spy thriller stars Jude Law as a retired agent dragged back into the field.
這部新間諜驚悚片由 Jude Law 主演，飾演一位被迫重出江湖的退役探員。
transitive: [work] stars [actor] as [role]
Christopher dreamed of starring in a Broadway musical ever since his school choir won a city prize.
自從 Christopher 的學校合唱團拿下市賽冠軍後，他就一直夢想能在百老匯音樂劇中擔任主角。
Élise turned down the offer to star opposite a much older actor in the romance.
Élise 拒絕了那個機會，沒有在那部愛情片中與一位年紀大很多的男演員擔任男女主角。
The cartoon, which stars a clumsy panda, has become popular with children across Asia.
這部以一隻笨拙熊貓為主角的卡通在亞洲各地深受兒童喜愛。
- support
play a smaller role beside the lead
文法句型
star in + film/show
[film] + stars + [actor]
用法筆記
Subject pattern depends on transitivity: when intransitive, the subject is the actor and a 'in + work' phrase follows; when transitive, the subject is the film, show, or play and the object is the actor. Often paired with 'as' to name the role.
常見錯誤
star — 名詞
1. a huge ball of hot, glowing gas far out in space, which from Earth looks like a
星星；恆星
夜空中發光的氣體天體
a huge ball of hot, glowing gas far out in space, which from Earth looks like a tiny bright spot in the night sky.
Hana lay on the grass and counted the stars above her tent.
Hana 躺在草地上，數著帳篷上方的星星。
plural countable: stars in the sky
On a clear night in the desert, you can see thousands of stars.
在沙漠裡晴朗的夜晚，可以看到成千上萬顆星星。
typical setting: clear night, dark place
The Sun is the closest star to our planet.
太陽是離我們地球最近的一顆恆星。
Soraya's astronomy class watched a video showing how a star forms from a cloud of gas and dust.
Soraya 的天文課播放了一段影片，介紹一顆恆星如何從氣體與塵埃雲中誕生。
Yara joined the Hubble team to track how one star changes over millions of years.
Yara 加入了 Hubble 團隊，負責追蹤一顆恆星如何在數百萬年間發生變化。
- sun
any star can be called a sun in poetic or sci-fi use; in everyday English 'sun' means our own star
文法句型
a/the + star
stars in the sky
用法筆記
Often plural in everyday talk about the night sky (look at the stars), singular when naming a specific one (a bright star, the North Star).
常見錯誤
2. someone who is widely known and admired for being very good at acting, music, sp
明星；名人
在演藝或運動界廣為人知的人
someone who is widely known and admired for being very good at acting, music, sport, or another public activity.
Christopher dreams of becoming a football star like the players he watches on TV.
Christopher 夢想成為像他在電視上看到的那種足球明星。
[field] + star: football star, pop star, movie star
Reporters waited outside the hotel hoping to photograph the pop star.
記者在飯店外守候，希望能拍到那位流行歌手明星。
Ziad was a tennis star in the 1990s and now coaches young players.
Ziad 曾是 1990 年代的網球明星，現在指導年輕選手。
The film festival brought stars from all over Europe to the small town.
這場影展把全歐洲的明星帶到了這個小鎮。
Eli started posting cooking videos online and slowly became a YouTube star.
Eli 開始在網路上發烹飪影片，慢慢成為了 YouTube 明星。
- unknown
informal: an 'unknown' is a performer the public has not heard of
文法句型
a star of [field]
[field] + star
用法筆記
Frequently appears as a compound: 'pop star', 'movie star', 'rock star', 'football star'. The compound form is much more common than 'star of pop' or 'star of football'.
常見錯誤
3. the actor or performer who has the leading role in one specific movie, theatre p
主角
影視作品中的主要演出者
the actor or performer who has the leading role in one specific movie, theatre piece, or TV series, with their name placed most prominently in the credits.
Élise was the star of the school play and her parents filmed every scene.
Élise 是學校話劇的主角，她爸媽把每一幕都錄了下來。
the star of [the play/film]
The two stars of the new spy film travelled to Tokyo to promote it.
新間諜片的兩位主角飛到東京宣傳。
plural: two stars (lead pair)
Tanvi played a small part before she became the star of a hit Netflix series.
Tanvi 演過小角色，後來才成為一齣熱門 Netflix 劇集的主角。
Although the show had famous guests, the real star was the eight-year-old singer.
雖然節目有名人來賓，真正的主角卻是那位八歲的小歌手。
Posters at the cinema showed the star holding a silver pistol.
電影院的海報上，那位主角拿著一把銀色手槍。
- extra
an actor with a tiny, often silent part in the background
文法句型
the star of [film/show]
用法筆記
Distinct from sense 2: a 'star' here means the lead role of one specific work, while sense 2 names a generally famous performer. Often used with the definite article 'the': 'the star of the film'.
常見錯誤
4. someone, or something, that clearly stands out as the strongest, most impressive
佼佼者
團體中表現最突出的那一位
someone, or something, that clearly stands out as the strongest, most impressive, or most popular member within a team, class, company, or other group.
Nadia is the star of the maths class and helps the others before each test.
Nadia 是數學課裡的佼佼者，每次考試前都會幫同學複習。
the star of the [class/team]
The chocolate cake was the star of the bakery's new menu.
那款巧克力蛋糕是這家烘焙坊新菜單裡的佼佼者。
non-human subject: a product/dish as the star
Mauricio joined the company last year and quickly became its star salesperson.
Mauricio 去年才進公司，很快就成了公司的金牌業務員。
Among the puppies at the shelter, a small black one was clearly the star.
收容所那群小狗中，一隻黑色的小狗顯然是當中的佼佼者。
Their goalkeeper was the star of last weekend's match against the visiting team.
他們的守門員是上週對客隊那場比賽的頭號功臣。
- standout
a person or thing that is clearly better than the rest; informal
- top performer
more neutral, common in workplace English
- weak link
the worst member, the one who lets the group down
文法句型
the star of [the team/class/department]
用法筆記
Often pre-modifies another noun: 'star pupil', 'star player', 'star witness'. Distinguish from sense 2 (publicly famous performer): the 'star' here may be unknown outside the small group.
常見錯誤
5. a flat figure with several sharp points sticking outward (usually five), often d
星形；星狀物
有五個以上尖角的圖形或裝飾
a flat figure with several sharp points sticking outward (usually five), often drawn, printed, or made as a decoration.
Sade cut yellow paper stars and stuck them all over her bedroom door.
Sade 剪了一些黃色紙星星，貼滿她的房門。
decoration: paper / cardboard stars
The Christmas tree had a silver star at the top.
聖誕樹頂上有一顆銀色的星星。
fixed phrase: a star at the top of the tree
Children in the kindergarten drew stars and rainbows on the wall.
幼稚園的小朋友在牆上畫了星星和彩虹。
The biscuits were baked in the shape of a star.
那些餅乾是烤成星星形狀的。
A red star is printed on the front of the soldier's cap.
那名士兵的軍帽前方印著一顆紅色星星。
- asterisk
specifically the typed symbol *, used in writing
文法句型
a star (shape)
in the shape of a star
用法筆記
Refers to the drawn or made shape, not the heavenly body in sense 1. Often appears with materials or colours: 'a paper star', 'a gold star', 'a wooden star'.
常見錯誤
6. a small star-shaped mark given to a hotel, restaurant, film, or product as part
星級評等
用星數高低代表的品質評分
a small star-shaped mark given to a hotel, restaurant, film, or product as part of a quality scale, where a higher number of stars signals better quality.
Inês booked a four-star hotel near the old town in Lisbon.
Inês 在里斯本舊城區附近訂了一家四星級飯店。
[number]-star + hotel/restaurant
The new pizza place earned five stars from almost every customer.
那家新開的披薩店幾乎每位客人都給五顆星。
earn / receive [n] stars
Leo gave the film three stars out of five in his blog review.
Leo 在他的部落格影評裡給這部電影打了五顆星裡的三顆。
The travel app only shows hotels with at least three stars.
這個旅遊 App 只顯示三星以上的飯店。
Even small drops in cleanliness can cost a restaurant a star.
清潔度只要稍微下降，餐廳就可能被扣掉一顆星。
- rating
the broader term — stars are one common form of rating
文法句型
[number]-star + noun
a [n] star hotel/restaurant
用法筆記
Frequently hyphenated when modifying a noun: 'a five-star hotel', 'a two-star review'. Without a noun after, no hyphen is needed: 'The hotel has five stars.'
常見錯誤
7. a small star-shaped piece of metal or fabric pinned to a uniform to mark how sen
星章；軍階星
別在制服上代表階級的星形徽章
a small star-shaped piece of metal or fabric pinned to a uniform to mark how senior an officer in the army, police, or a similar service is.
The new general had four silver stars sewn onto each shoulder of his uniform.
新上任的將軍兩邊肩膀上各縫了四顆銀色星章。
stars + on/sewn onto + uniform
Officer Adaeze polished the gold star on her cap before the parade.
Adaeze 警官在閱兵前把帽子上的金色星章擦得發亮。
the star on [piece of uniform]
In many armies, a colonel who earns one more star becomes a brigadier.
在許多軍隊中，上校多升一顆星就成為准將。
Tomás saluted the officer with three stars on his collar.
Tomás 向領子上有三顆星章的軍官敬禮。
The sheriff wore a six-pointed metal star pinned above his shirt pocket.
那位警長在襯衫口袋上方別了一枚六角形的金屬星章。
文法句型
a [number]-star [officer/general]
用法筆記
Subject is usually an officer, sheriff, or similar role; the noun is almost always plural when counting rank (one star, two stars, four stars), and singular when describing a sheriff's badge. Distinguish from sense 5 (a drawn or printed shape) — this sense refers to the physical metal or cloth object on a uniform.
常見錯誤
8. an informal name for the printed mark *, used in writing to point readers to a f
星號
書寫中代表 * 這個符號的口語說法
an informal name for the printed mark *, used in writing to point readers to a footnote, to mark something on a list, or to hide letters in a password.
Hana put a small star next to every word she still needed to memorise.
Hana 在每個還要背的單字旁邊都標了一顆小星號。
put a star next to [item]
Required fields on the form are marked with a red star next to each label.
表單上的必填欄位會在標題後面加一顆紅色星號。
passive: marked with a star
The footnote begins with a star and explains where the data comes from.
註腳開頭那顆星號標示著資料的出處。
When Kofi typed his password, the screen showed only stars instead of letters.
Kofi 輸入密碼時，畫面上只顯示一排星號，看不見字母。
Please put a star beside any name on the list you do not recognise.
請在名單上不認識的名字旁邊加一顆星號。
- asterisk
the technical name; preferred in formal writing and grammar books
文法句型
mark/put a star next to/beside [item]
用法筆記
Often interchangeable with 'asterisk' in everyday speech, but 'star' is the casual word and 'asterisk' the technical one. Frequently appears with 'put', 'mark', 'add', or 'next to / beside / by'.
常見錯誤
9. in astrology, the planets and patterns in the night sky thought to shape someone
星象；運勢
占星學中左右運勢的星象或運勢預測
in astrology, the planets and patterns in the night sky thought to shape someone's luck, love life, or future — also used for the short forecast about them printed in a paper or magazine.
Imani believes the stars decide whether a marriage will last or fail.
Imani 相信星象會決定一段婚姻能不能長久。
the stars + verb (control / decide)
Mei's grandmother glanced at the chart and said her stars favoured a new business this month.
Mei 的奶奶看了星盤一眼，說這個月她的星象有利於開新事業。
one's stars favour / oppose [activity]
Niran refused to sign the contract because his stars warned of money trouble.
Niran 拒絕簽那份合約，因為他的星象警告會有財務麻煩。
Yusra's father often tells her to thank her lucky stars when something good happens by chance.
Yusra 的爸爸常告訴她，遇到偶然的好事時要慶幸自己運氣好。
Putri reads her stars in the Sunday paper before she opens any other section.
Putri 翻開週日報紙時，會先看自己的星座運勢，再看其他版面。
文法句型
one's stars + verb
read one's stars (in a magazine/newspaper)
用法筆記
Almost always plural and almost always with a possessive ('my stars', 'her lucky stars'). Covers both the abstract astrological influence and the printed horoscope column — verbs that signal the printed-text use are 'read', 'check', and 'say'. More common in British English than American (which prefers 'horoscope'). Distinguish from sense 1 (the physical balls of burning gas) — here the focus is on supposed influence over human life, not the astronomical object itself.
常見錯誤
10. an affectionate name for a person you want to thank because they have been kind,
你真好；超讚
英式口語溫暖感謝、誇對方人很好
an affectionate name for a person you want to thank because they have been kind, brave, or extra helpful — used like a compliment, especially in everyday speech.
"Thanks for picking the kids up from school — you're a real star, Anjali."
「Anjali，謝謝你幫我去學校接小孩，你真的超讚的。」
you're a (real) star + thanks
Theo stayed late to finish my report; he's an absolute star.
Theo 留下來幫我把報告做完，他人真的有夠好。
absolute / total star
Marisol is such a star — she stayed late every night to finish the office holiday cards.
Marisol 真的超讚的——她每晚加班幫公司寫完所有的節日賀卡。
"Could you bring an extra chair? Oh, you're a star."
「能再幫我搬一張椅子嗎？啊，你人真好。」
Aoi was a complete star during the move, lifting boxes nobody else wanted to touch.
搬家那天 Aoi 真的太讚了，把沒人想碰的箱子都搬了。
文法句型
You're a star!
[Name] is a (real/total) star
用法筆記
Almost always after the indefinite article — 'a star', 'a real star', 'an absolute star'. Common in British everyday speech as a warm, slightly informal way to thank someone. Don't confuse with sense 2 (a famous performer): here the person is praised privately, not publicly known.
常見錯誤
star — 形容詞
1. used ONLY directly in front of a role noun (pupil, player, witness, reporter, st
頂尖的；王牌
在群體中表現最出色或最受重視的
used ONLY directly in front of a role noun (pupil, player, witness, reporter, striker, product) and combined with the indefinite article ('a star pupil', 'our star striker') to flag the named holder as the standout in that role; rejects predicative position after 'be' or 'seem', rejects an 'of [group]' phrase after it ('*a star of the team' takes noun/4 instead), and has no comparative or superlative form.
Putri is the star pupil of her violin class and plays at every school concert.
Putri 是小提琴班上頂尖的學生，每場校內音樂會都由她演出。
star + pupil: best learner in a class
The coach left the star striker on the bench because of a knee injury.
教練因為膝傷讓那位頂尖前鋒坐在板凳上。
star + striker: top performer on a sports team
Kian was the star witness at the trial and spoke for almost two hours.
Kian 是這場審判的關鍵證人，整整作證了將近兩個小時。
The bakery's star product is a chocolate cake topped with fresh raspberries.
這家麵包店的招牌商品是一款表面鋪滿新鮮覆盆子的巧克力蛋糕。
Hiro became the star reporter at the newspaper after his story on the floods.
Hiro 在報導完那場水災後，成了報社的王牌記者。
- leading
similar in 'leading actor / leading expert'; slightly more formal and less about fame.
- top
very close in meaning ('top student'); plainer and works in more contexts.
- outstanding
predicative-friendly ('the work is outstanding') where 'star' cannot go.
文法句型
star + noun (e.g. star pupil, star striker, star witness)
用法筆記
Syntactic test that separates this adjective from noun/4: this sense takes the pattern '[a/the] + star + [role noun]' with NO 'of' phrase after — 'a star pupil', 'the star striker', 'our star witness'. Noun/4 takes the opposite shape — 'the' + 'star' + 'of [group]' — as in 'the star of the team', 'the star of her class'. Therefore '*a star of the team' fails as adjective/1 (use noun/4: 'the star of the team'); '*she is star' fails because this sense rejects predicative position; switch to noun/4 for any 'be the star of …' sentence. No comparative or superlative form ('*more star', '*most star' impossible).