Japanese word

宝石

Pronunciation

Romajihōseki

Meaning

  • noungem

Example

この指輪には宝石が付いています。ko no yubi wa ni wa hō seki ga tsu i te i ma su

This ring has a gem.

Illustration for 宝石 (gem)

More examples

母の誕生日に、店で宝石を選びました。haha no tan jō hi ni mise de hō seki o era bi ma shi ta

I chose a gem at the store for my mother's birthday.

Core concept

A beautiful, durable material is valued for its rarity and used as an ornament.

Common phrases

  • 宝石を磨くhō seki o miga ku

    polish a gem

  • 宝石を選ぶhō seki o era bu

    choose a gem

  • 宝石の輝きhō seki no kagaya ki

    the sparkle of a gem

Similar words

宝玉hōgyoku: A beautiful and costly jewel used for personal adornment.
貴石kiseki: A rare mineral suitable for use as a gem because of its hardness and appearance.

Definition in Japanese

美しく希少で価値の高い、装飾品などに用いる石。utsuku shi ku ki shō de ka chi no taka i sō shoku hin na do ni mochi i ru ishi

Word origin

宝石 (hōseki) combines 宝 (hō, "treasure") and 石 (seki, "stone"), giving the compound its sense of a valuable stone.

Usage tips

  • In English, gem can also describe a person or thing that is unusually admirable, extending the idea of a precious object to a wider compliment.

Other meanings

  • jewelnoun
  • precious stonenoun

Word lists with this word