Chinese word

珍珠

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhēn zhū

Meaning

  • nounpearl

Example

她戴着珍珠项链。tā dài zhe zhēn zhū xiàng liàn

She is wearing a pearl necklace.

Illustration for 珍珠 (pearl)

More examples

她在市场上买了一对珍珠耳环。tā zài shì chǎng shàng mǎi le yí duì zhēn zhū ěr huán

She bought a pair of pearl earrings at the market.

Core concept

A smooth, shining round bead that serves as jewelry or as a chewy addition to a drink.

Common phrases

  • 一颗珍珠yì kē zhēn zhū

    a pearl

  • 珍珠项链zhēn zhū xiàng liàn

    pearl necklace

  • 珍珠耳环zhēn zhū ěr huán

    pearl earrings

  • 珍珠奶茶zhēn zhū nǎi chá

    tapioca milk tea

Similar words

珠子zhū zi: A small round bead with a hole for stringing or decorative use.
宝石bǎo shí: A costly natural stone or material valued for its color, shine, and decorative use.

Definition in Chinese

软体动物在体内分泌物包裹异物逐渐形成的圆形或近圆形、有光泽的宝石状物质，常用于首饰和装饰。ruán tǐ dòng wù zài tǐ nèi fēn mì wù bāo guǒ yì wù zhú jiàn xíng chéng de yuán xíng huò jìn yuán xíng yǒu guāng zé de bǎo shí zhuàng wù zhì cháng yòng yú shǒu shì hé zhuāng shì

Word origin

珍珠 (zhēnzhū, "pearl") combines 珍 (zhēn, "precious") + 珠 (zhū, "bead"), linking value with a rounded bead-like form.

Usage tips

  • In drink menus, this word often means chewy tapioca balls rather than a gemstone, so the surrounding food or jewelry context determines the meaning.

Other meanings

  • tapioca pearlsnoun

Related words

  • 珍珠项链zhēn zhū xiàng liànpearl necklacenoun
  • 珍珠耳环zhēn zhū ěr huánpearl earringsnoun
  • 珍珠粉zhēn zhū fěnpearl powdernoun

Word lists with this word