手鐲 / 手镯
shǒuzhuó
The English word 'bracelet' is translated into Chinese as 手鐲 / 手镯 (shǒuzhuó). Wiktionary also lists 鐲子 / 镯子 (zhuózi).
Meaning: band or chain worn around the wrist as jewelry or an ornament (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 手鐲 / 手镯 | shǒuzhuó |
| 鐲子 / 镯子 | zhuózi |
This term refers to a band or chain worn around the wrist as jewelry or an ornament. If the piece of jewelry is a thin chain rather than a solid ring, the term 手链 (literally 'hand chain') is often more appropriate.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 手鐲 (shǒuzhuó) is composed of 手 (shǒu), meaning hand and 鐲 (zhuó), meaning bracelet.
Which one should you use?
While 手鐲 / 手镯 (shǒuzhuó) is the formal or technical term for a bracelet, 鐲子 / 镯子 (zhuózi) is the more common, colloquial way to refer to one in daily conversation.
How do you pronounce it?
shǒuzhuó
Did you know?
- In Chinese culture, a 手镯 made of jade is often seen as a protective amulet that can shatter to 'save' the wearer from a physical injury.
- The color of the jade used in a 手镯 is so culturally significant that it has its own specialized vocabulary to describe shades of 'mutton fat' white or 'imperial' green.
- While English speakers might say they are 'wearing' a bracelet, in Chinese, you might use the verb 戴 (dài), which is the same specific verb used for wearing hats or gloves, emphasizing the act of putting something on a limb or head.
Example sentences for Chinese are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bracelet” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
