difference between зоря vs зірка

Question

I would like to know what stylistic or register differences there are between зоря and зірка. In what contexts should one use the former and in what the latter?

Answer 1

Зі́рка:

1. Star (astronomical object). Also:
   1a. Something visually similar to star (meteor, sparkle, etc).
   2b. (Figurative) Fortune, luck.
2. Star (famous person).
3. Star (geometric shape).
   _{The dictionary also lists spot on an animal's forehead as #4 and star-like shape of flower as #5, but I personally consider them to be subcases of meaning #3.}

Зоря́:

1. Star (astronomical object). Also:
   1a. (Figurative) gentle appeal to a girl.
2. Red sky during sunrise and sunset.
3. Not so often — (figurative) start of something.
4. Not so often — star (famous person).
5. Not so often — star (geometric shape).
6. Not so often — morning/evening bugle call.
7. Not so often — (colloquial) meteor.
8. Not so often — (dialect) star-like flower.

So, in short, while зоря can be used in almost every meaning of зірка, зоря has some additional meanings (i.e. #2 “red sky during sunrise and sunset“ and ones derived from it: #3 “start of something“ and “something that regularly happens at morning or evening“, including #6 “morning/evening bugle call“), which prevail over non-primary meanings of зірка.

Answer 2

Stylistically "зірка" is more casual word, while "зоря" is more poetic. So you will hear "зірка" more often on an everyday basis.

E.g in sentences like "this flower looks like a star", "a chocolate bar with a star logo on it", "meet me by that monument with a star on top" - you would use "зірка" because "зоря" would sound too sophisticated for modern language.

The difference is less when we speak about actual stars in the sky. Maybe because the stars are always somehow poetic, you may use both words in the sentences like "that star is so bright!" or "look, a star is falling!". Though even in these cases "зірка" would sound more modern and casual.

You would not use "зоря" if you speak scientifically though. Like in "Sun is not the biggest star in the universe" - it's only "зірка".

Speaking about famous people you'll never hear "зоря" - it just doesn't make any sense.

All in all, most usage for word "зоря" you'll find in poetry or songs (including modern ones).

In most cases you can change "зоря" for more casual "зірка" without any damage to the meaning. The only case "зоря" has a unique meaning is when you are talking about sunrise or sunset.

Answer 3

Великий тлумачний словник сучасної української мови. Бусел. 2005.

Зоря

1. Те саме, що зірка.
2. Пестливе звертання до дівчини, жінки.
3. Яскраве освітлення горизонту перед сходом і після заходу сонця. Час появи на горизонті такого освітлення.
4. Початок, зародження чого-небудь.
5. переносне, рідко. Те саме, що зірка.
6. рідко. Те саме, що зірка.

Зірка

1. Самоосвітне небесне тіло, що являє собою скупчення розжарених газів. Дрібні світні частинки; іскри.
2. Про дуже видатну, прославлену людину.
3. Геометрична фігура ...
4. Садова рослина ...

Зоря, зірка.