Definition
玉 (yù) is 'jade', a precious stone deeply embedded in Chinese culture as a symbol of virtue, beauty, and moral integrity. It appears in idioms and metaphors for noble character, far beyond its literal gemstone sense.
noun
jade (a precious stone, often culturally symbolic in Chinese contexts)
Easily confused
- 班bānlook-alike(noun) class, grade (in school)
- 与yǔsound-alike(conjunction) and (formal, connecting nouns)
- 呈chénglook-aliketo submit (to a superior); to formally present
- 于yúsound-alike(preposition) at, in, on (used in formal/literary contexts for time or place)
- 全quánlook-alike(adjective) whole; entire; all
- 鱼yúsound-alikefish
- 旺wànglook-alikeprosperous; thriving; vigorous (used for business, fire, plants, energy, etc.)
- 雨yǔsound-alikerain
- 余yúsound-alike(verb) to have leftover; to remain
- 愈yùsound-alike(adverb) used in the pattern 愈…愈… to mean 'the more…the more…'
Examples
- 玉。Zhè chuàn yù shǒuliàn shì wǒ nǎinai liú gěi wǒ de.This jade bracelet was passed down to me by my grandmother.
- 玉。Zhōngguó rén cháng yòng yù lái bǐyù pǐndé gāoshàng de rén.Chinese people often use jade as a metaphor for a person of noble character.
- 玉，。Zhè kuài yù zhìdì wēnrùn, shì nándé de hǎo liào.This piece of jade has a warm, smooth texture — a rare, fine material.
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