Japanese word

真珠

Pronunciation

Romajishinju

Meaning

  • nounpearl

Example

母は真珠のネックレスを持っています。haha wa shin ju no ne kku re su o mo tte i ma su

My mother has a pearl necklace.

Illustration for 真珠 (pearl)

More examples

この店では真珠を一粒ずつ鑑定しています。ko no mise de wa shin ju o hito tsubu zu tsu kan tei shi te i ma su

This shop appraises pearls one by one.

Core concept

A smooth, lustrous object formed inside a mollusk becomes a valued gem because its beauty comes from natural layers.

Common phrases

  • 真珠のネックレスshin ju no ne kku re su

    pearl necklace

  • 真珠を養殖するshin ju o yō shoku su ru

    farm pearls

  • 真珠の輝きshin ju no kagaya ki

    pearl luster

Similar words

パールpāru: A loanword for a pearl, often used in jewelry and fashion contexts.

Definition in Japanese

貝の体内で異物を包む物質が層状に固まってできる、光沢のある球形の宝石。kai no tai nai de i butsu o tsutsu mu bus shitsu ga sō jō ni kata ma tte de ki ru kō taku no a ru kyū kei no hō seki

Word origin

真珠 (shinju) combines 真 (shin, "true") and 珠 (ju, "jewel" or "bead"), suggesting a genuine jewel.

Usage tips

  • In English, pearl appears in the familiar phrase "pearl of wisdom" for a short, valuable piece of advice, extending the gem's value to an idea.

Word lists with this word