How to Say "Star" in Nigerian Pidgin

In Nigerian Pidgin English (Naija), the lingua franca of Nigeria spoken by 75M+ as L1/L2, "star" is pronounced "sta" [sta] or "stā" [staː].

Usage Examples

• "You see dat bright sta for sky?" = "Do you see that bright star in the sky?"
• "Na sta dey shine pass." = "It's the star that shines brightest."
• "Wetin be dat sta wey dey blink?" = "What is that blinking star?"

Pidgin Phonology Note

• Final /r/ dropped (non-rhotic, like British English).
• Vowel lengthening common for emphasis.
• "Star" → "sta" follows same pattern as "car" → "ca", "far" → "fa", "water" → "wota".

Other Nigerian Languages (Major)

Context: "Nigerian" is not a language. Nigeria has 500+ languages. Pidgin is the de facto national lingua franca. If someone asks "in Nigerian," they almost always mean Pidgin.