Smaragd
/smaˈʁakt/masculine
The German word for emerald is Smaragd.
Smaragd is a masculine noun used to refer to the gemstone.
Meaning: gemstone (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Smaragd refers to the gemstone itself, the related forms smaragdgrün and smaragdfarben are used as adjectives to describe a rich green colour.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun Smaragd is masculine and is used with the definite article der (e.g., der Smaragd). When used as a direct object in the accusative case, the article changes to einen (e.g., einen Smaragd). The adjective smaragdgrün is a compound adjective used to describe the color emerald green.
How do you pronounce it?
/smaˈʁakt/
Did you know?
- In German literature, the 'emerald' color is often associated with the 'emerald tablet' Smaragdine Tafel, a legendary hermetic text on alchemy.
- The word Smaragd is a linguistic traveler that entered German via Latin and Ancient Greek from an original Semitic source.
- The term Smaragd was once used in early European texts to refer to any bright green gemstone, not just the mineral beryl.
Examples in context
- Tom kennt nicht den Unterschied zwischen einem Diamanten und einem Smaragd.Tom does not know the difference between a diamond and an emerald.This sentence is useful for seeing how to express the difference between a diamond and a Smaragd.Tatoeba #1234858 by al_ex_an_der, translation #1933250 by Ennocb
- Meine Schwester hat einen echten Smaragd in ihrem VerlobungsringMy sister has a genuine emerald in her engagement ring
- Ich habe einen wunderschönen Smaragd zu einem guten Preis gefundenI found a beautiful emerald at a good price
- Der Smaragd glänzt in der Schatztruhe.The emerald shines in the treasure chest.
- Sie hat einen großen Smaragd gekauft.She bought a large emerald.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A jewelry shop where Maximilian is looking at a ring.
- LauraSchauen Sie sich diesen Ring an.Look at this ring.
- MaximilianIst das ein echter Smaragd?Is that a real emerald?
- LauraJa, er ist sehr hochwertig.Yes, it is very high quality.
- MaximilianDer Smaragd sieht wunderschön aus.The emerald looks beautiful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “emerald” translations and entries Smaragd, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Smaragd, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
