ネックレス
nekkuresu[ne̞k̚kɯ̟ɾe̞sɨ]
The English word necklace can be said in Japanese as ネックレス (nekkuresu) or 首飾り.
Meaning: jewelry (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ネックレス | nekkuresu | [ne̞k̚kɯ̟ɾe̞sɨ] (narrow) |
| 首飾り | kubikazari | [kɯ̟bʲika̠za̠ɾʲi] (narrow) |
What does it mean word for word?
The term 首飾り is a compound of 首, meaning neck and 飾り, meaning ornament or decoration.
Which one should you use?
ネックレス is a loanword from English and is the most common way to refer to modern jewelry necklaces. In contrast, 首飾り is a more traditional or descriptive term.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ネックレス is the standard term used in daily conversation and fashion contexts. 首飾り is more formal or descriptive and might be used in literature or to describe traditional neck adornments.
How do you pronounce it?
nekkuresu
Did you know?
- In Japanese, the word 首 (neck) is also used in the word 首になる (to be fired), which literally translates to 'to become a neck'.
- In Japanese mythology and early history, certain 首飾り were not just ornaments but amulets believed to protect the wearer from evil spirits.
- The word 首 meaning 'neck' in 首飾り is also the same word used to describe the 'head' or 'leader' of a criminal organization or a company.
Examples in context
- すてきなネックレスしてるね。That's a beautiful necklace.Tatoeba #2619399 by bunbuku, translation #2045798 by CK
- 母は真珠のネックレスをくれた。My mother gave me a pearl necklace.Tatoeba #82909 by small_snow, translation #320807 by CK
- これは、真珠のネックレスです。This is a pearl necklace.Tatoeba #10565752 by small_snow, translation #8169654 by lucasmg123
- 彼女は美しい首飾りを身に着けている。She is wearing a beautiful necklace.
- 結婚式で華やかなネックレスを身に着けるのは素敵ですね。It's lovely to wear a glamorous necklace at a wedding.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A jewelry store in a shopping mall.
- 美咲 Misaki健太さん、このネックレスどう思う？Kenta-san, kono nekkuresu dou omou?Kenta, what do you think of this necklace?
- 健太 Kenta美咲にとても似合っているよ。Misaki ni totemo niatte iru yo.It suits you very well, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misaki本当？ありがとう！Hontou? Arigatou!Really? Thank you!
- 健太 Kenta君にぴったりだよ。Kimi ni pittari da yo.It's perfect for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “necklace” translations and entries ネックレス, 首飾り, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
