How to say "jewel" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 宝石ほうせきnounThe general word for a jewel or precious stone as a physical thing — gems such as diamonds and rubies, whether loose or set in a ring or necklace.
- 珠玉しゅぎょくnounLiterally 'pearls and jewels'; used chiefly figuratively, to call a work or piece of writing a gem — something exquisite and precious. For an actual jewel, this is not the word you want.
- 石いしnounThe plain word for 'stone'. Its 'jewel' sense belongs to jewelry — the stone set in a ring or the like; otherwise it suggests an ordinary stone, so it is seldom the word you want.
For a jewel or precious stone in general, 宝石 is the word; 石 means 'jewel' only for the stone of a piece of jewelry, and 珠玉 is chiefly figurative, praising something exquisite as 'a gem'.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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