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constelación

cons-te-la-SYON/konstelaˈθjon/

constellation

Also: star pattern
NounfB1
SpainLatin America
A night sky showing stars connected by thin glowing lines to form the shape of a bear.

📝 In Action

La Osa Mayor es la constelación más conocida en el hemisferio norte.

A2

The Big Dipper is the most well-known constellation in the northern hemisphere.

Anoche el cielo estaba despejado y pudimos ver varias constelaciones.

B1

Last night the sky was clear and we could see several constellations.

Los antiguos navegantes usaban las constelaciones para orientarse en el mar.

B2

Ancient sailors used the constellations to find their way at sea.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • asterismo (asterism (a smaller pattern of stars))

Common Collocations

  • constelación del zodiaco – zodiac constellation
  • observar una constelación – to observe a constellation
  • mapa de constelaciones – star map

galaxy / array

Also: cluster
NounfC1formal
A group of elegant people in colorful formal wear standing together on a red carpet under a spotlight.

📝 In Action

Había una constelación de estrellas de cine en la gala de anoche.

B2

There was a galaxy of movie stars at last night's gala.

Una constelación de factores económicos provocó la crisis actual.

C1

An array of economic factors caused the current crisis.

Las constelaciones familiares son una técnica en la terapia de grupo.

C2

Family constellations are a technique in group therapy.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • conjunto (set/collection)
  • cúmulo (cluster)

Antonyms

  • individualidad (individuality)

Common Collocations

  • constelación de talentos – an array of talent
  • una constelación de ideas – a cluster of ideas

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "constelación" in Spanish:

cluster→constellation→star pattern→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: constelación

Question 1 of 3

What happens to the accent mark when you make 'constelación' plural?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
estrella(star) — Noun
estrellado(starry / starry-eyed) — Adjective
constelar(to stud with stars (rare)) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
canciónestaciónemoción
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'constellatio', which combines 'con-' (together) and 'stella' (star). It literally means 'stars together'.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: constellationItalian: costellazionePortuguese: constelação

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is a constellation the same as a galaxy?

No. In science, a galaxy is a massive physical system of stars and matter, while a constellation is just a pattern of stars as seen from Earth's perspective.

Why is the accent on the 'o'?

The accent on 'constelación' tells you to emphasize the very last syllable when speaking. Without it, the rules of Spanish would make you emphasize the second-to-last syllable.

What is 'constelaciones familiares'?

It is a type of alternative therapy that looks at family patterns and dynamics, comparing them to the way stars are arranged in a pattern.