影星

• Pinyin: yǐng xīng
• Hanzi breakdown: 影 = 日 (sun) + 京 + 彡, meaning shadow/movie; 星 = 日 (sun) + 生 (life), meaning star

Meaning

Movie star; film star. A famous actor or actress known for their work in movies.

Specifically refers to actors famous in film, as opposed to 歌星 (singing star) or 明星 (general celebrity). Common phrases: 国际影星 (international film star), 当红影星 (popular movie star), 好莱坞影星 (Hollywood star). More elevated than just 演员 (actor).

Examples

1. 她从小就梦想成为影星，十八岁就出演了第一部电影。 She dreamed of becoming a movie star since childhood and appeared in her first film at eighteen.
2. 这位影星虽然年过六十，但依然活跃在大银幕上。 Although this film star is over sixty, she remains active on the big screen.
3. 记者们围堵在酒店门口，等待国际影星的出现。 Reporters crowded around the hotel entrance, waiting for the international film star to appear.

Usage Guide

Context: entertainment, media

Tone: admiring

Do Say

• 她是我最喜欢的影星。(She's my favorite movie star.)
• 这位影星主演了很多经典电影。(This film star has starred in many classic movies.)

Don't Say

• 他是电视剧影星 — 电视剧演员用'电视明星'或直接说'演员'，影星专指电影

Origin & History

Compound of 影 (shadow, movie) + 星 (star). 影 is short for 电影 (movie), combined with 星 meaning a star performer, creating 'movie star.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal