bijou
/bi.ʒu/
The French word for jewel is bijou.
bijou is a noun used to refer to a gemstone.
Meaning: gemstone (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of bijou is bijoux.
How do you pronounce it?
/bi.ʒu/
Did you know?
- The word bijou was borrowed from the Breton language, where it originally meant 'ring' and derived from the word for 'finger'.
- The term bijou can be used to describe a very small and cozy apartment, implying it is a 'gem' of a place.
- French differentiates between bijoux and pierres précieuses, as the former refers to the jewelry piece and the latter specifically to the raw gemstones.
Examples in context
- Ma mère est mon bijou.My mother is my jewel.This sentence shows how bijou can be used metaphorically to refer to a person.Tatoeba #1634445 by nimfeo, translation #1012181 by Miktsoanit
- Le bijou a été volé pendant la nuit.The jewel had been stolen during the night.This sentence demonstrates a sentence using bijou in the context of a theft.Tatoeba #3098514 by Rovo, translation #3122841 by brad
- Il a été accusé et jugé pour vol de bijoux.He was charged with and tried for jewel theft.This sentence uses the plural form bijoux to describe jewel theft.Tatoeba #5116763 by gege_veggie, translation #12242599 by Miktsoanit
- C'est un magnifique bijouIt's a beautiful jewel
- Elle adore la haute joaillerieShe loves high-end jewelry
- C'est une bague avec une pierre précieuseIt's a ring with a precious stone
- Cette bague est un joli petit bijouThis ring is a lovely little jewel
- Elle porte un magnifique bijou en or.She is wearing a beautiful gold jewel.
- Ils ont offert un bijou rare à leur mère.They offered their mother a rare jewel.
- J'ai récemment acheté un bijou antique.I recently bought an antique jewel.
- Elles collectionnent les bijoux depuis des années.They have been collecting jewels for years.
- Ce collier est un précieux bijou de famille.This necklace is a precious family jewel.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are looking at a jewelry display in a store.
- ManonRegarde ce bijou, il est magnifique !Look at this jewel, it is magnificent!
- LucasC'est vrai, mais c'est trop cher.That's true, but it is too expensive.
- ManonJe veux ce bijou pour mon anniversaire.I want this jewel for my birthday.
- LucasJe vais voir ce que je peux faire, Manon.I will see what I can do, Manon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bijou, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bijou, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
