珠宝 (zhū bǎo) — jewels, jewelry, precious stones | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Jewelry and precious stones as a category (necklaces, rings, etc.). Narrower than 首饰 (general ornaments, including costume pieces); broader than 宝石 (single gems) or 珍珠 (just pearls).

noun

jewelsjewelryprecious stones

Measure word · 件

Examples

珠宝。
Tā dài de zhū bǎo fēi cháng piào liang.
The jewelry she wears is very beautiful.
珠宝。
Zhè jiā diàn yǐ chū shòu gāo dàng zhū bǎo wén míng.
This shop is famous for selling high-end jewelry.
珠宝。
Tā huā le hěn duō qián mǎi zhū bǎo.
She spent a lot of money buying jewelry.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

宝bǎotreasure

珠 gives pearl or bead, and 宝 gives treasure; together they mean jewels.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

𤣩Written in full as玉yùjade

Sound part声符shēngfú

朱

朱zhū珠zhū

Same sound today

The left side 𤣩, a form of 玉, connects the character to jade, while the right side 朱 gives the sound.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 寶; 宝 is its simplified writing.

宀宀miánhouse
琡琡chùjade
貝貝bèicowry

The traditional form 寶 shows 宀 (house), 琡 (jade), and 貝 (cowry), drawn together as treasures in a house.

Appears in

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