星座

• Pinyin: xīng zuò
• Hanzi breakdown: 星 = 日 + 生 (star); 座 = 广 + 坐 (seat/position/cluster)

Meaning

Constellation; zodiac sign. A group of stars forming a recognised pattern, or an astrological sign based on birth date.

Used in both astronomical and popular astrological contexts. In everyday speech, often refers to the 12 Western zodiac signs. Astronomy uses it for the 88 official constellations recognised by the IAU.

Examples

1. 天文学家通过观测星座的运动来研究宇宙的结构与演变。 Astronomers study the structure and evolution of the universe by observing the movement of constellations.
2. 许多年轻人对星座文化十分感兴趣，习惯用星座来分析性格特征。 Many young people are very interested in zodiac culture and like to use zodiac signs to analyze personality traits.
3. 猎户座是冬季夜空中最容易辨认的星座之一。 Orion is one of the easiest constellations to recognize in the winter night sky.

Usage Guide

Context: astronomy, astrology, popular culture

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你是什么星座？(What's your star sign?)
• 这幅古代星图详细标注了主要星座的位置与神话传说。(This ancient star chart details the positions and myths of major constellations.)

Don't Say

• 星座决定命运 as a fact — 星座 in astrology is for entertainment; avoid presenting astrological claims as scientific truth in formal contexts

Origin & History

星 (star) + 座 (seat/cluster)

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to Modern

Generation: Youth to Middle-aged

Social background: Universal