How to Say "Jewel" in Japanese

宝石

hōseki[ho̞ːse̞kʲi]

The English word 'jewel' is translated into Japanese as 宝石 (hōseki).

宝石 is used to refer to a gemstone.

Meaning: gemstone (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word 宝石 is composed of the characters 宝 (treasure) and 石 (stone).

hōseki

In Japanese folklore, certain 宝石 like the 'wish-granting jewel' 如意宝珠 are central to Buddhist mythology and are depicted as glowing orbs.
The term 宝石箱 means 'jewelry box', but it is frequently used in literature as a metaphor for a beautiful night sky full of stars.
The character 宝 in 宝石 is also found in the word 宝くじ, which means 'lottery ticket', linking the idea of jewels to the concept of luck and sudden wealth.

宝石は思いがけない場所で見つかった。
The jewel was found in an unlikely place.
This sentence is useful for describing where a 宝石 was found.
Tatoeba #82730 by bunbuku, translation #320986 by CK
僕が昼飯を喰っている時、吉弥は僕のところへやって来て、飯の給仕をしてくれながら太い指にきらめいている宝石入りの指輪を嬉しそうにいじくっていた。
As I was eating lunch, Kichiya came to me and, while she was serving my meal, she was toying happily with her ring set with a gleaming jewel.
This sentence shows how a 宝石 can be set in a ring.
Tatoeba #605958 by Scott, translation #605959 by Scott
私の母は美しい宝石を集めます。
My mother collects beautiful jewels.
このアクセサリーは私にとって大切な宝物です。
This accessory is a precious jewel to me.
この宝石はとても美しいですね。
Kono hōseki wa totemo utsukushii desu ne.
This gemstone is very beautiful, isn't it?

Ren and Himari are looking at a jewelry shop window.

蓮 Ren

見て、あの宝石がすごく光っているよ。
Mite, ano hōseki ga sugoku hikatte iru yo.
Look, that jewel is shining so brightly.
陽葵 Himari

本当だね。何色の石だろう？
Hontō da ne. Nani-iro no ishi darō?
You're right. I wonder what color stone it is.
蓮 Ren

きっと本物の宝石なんだろうな。
Kitto honmono no hōseki nan darō na.
I bet it's a real jewel.
陽葵 Himari

いいなあ。私も欲しい！
Ii nā. Watashi mo hoshii!
How nice. I want one too!

Sources

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