нефри́т
nefrítmasculine
The English word jade is translated into Russian as нефри́т (nefrít). Wiktionary also lists жадеи́т (žadeít) and жад (žad).
Meaning: gem (noun)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| нефри́т | nefrít | masculine | |
| жадеи́т | žadeít | masculine | |
| жад | žad | [ʐat] (narrow) | masculine |
The term refers to the gemstone jade.
Which one should you use?
While нефри́т is the standard and most common way to refer to the gemstone, the form жадеи́т specifically refers to the distinct mineral species jadeite.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The forms нефри́т, жадеи́т and жад are all masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
nefrít
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers might mistakenly use the phonetic transliteration жадеи́т when they actually intend to refer to the general gemstone нефри́т.
Did you know?
- Because нефри́т sounds like the Greek word for kidney, 'nephros', the Russian term links the stone's historical use in ancient medicine to its name.
- Despite the phonetic similarity, the Russian word жад is easily confused with the root of the word жадность, meaning 'greed'.
- While English uses 'jade' as a derogatory term for a worn-out horse or a promiscuous woman, the Russian нефри́т is purely a mineral term and carries no such insults.
Examples in context
- В китайской культуре нефрит считается символом долголетия.In Chinese culture, jade is considered a symbol of longevity.
- Этот нефри́т очень дорогой.Etot nefrit ochen' dorogoy.This jade is very expensive.
- На столе лежал зелёный нефри́т.Na stole lezhal zelyonyy nefrit.A green jade lay on the table.
- Её кольцо сделано из нефри́та.Yeyo kol'tso sdelano iz nefrita.Her ring is made of jade.
Example conversation
Dmitry and Olga are visiting a jewelry museum.
- Дмитрий DmitryОльга, посмотри на эту статуэтку из нефри́та.Olga, posmotri na etu statuetku iz nefrita.Olga, look at this jade figurine.
- Ольга OlgaКакая она детальная и изящная!Kakaya ona detalnaya i izyashchnaya!How detailed and elegant it is!
- Дмитрий DmitryГоворят, что нефри́т приносит удачу.Govoryat, chto nefrit prinosit udachu.They say that jade brings good luck.
- Ольга OlgaТогда я хочу купить себе что-нибудь подобное.Togda ya khochu kupit sebe chto-nibud podobnoye.Then I want to buy something like that for myself.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jade” translations and entries жад, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
