縞瑪瑙 / 缟玛瑙
gǎomǎnǎo
The English word "onyx" is translated into Chinese as 縞瑪瑙 / 缟玛瑙 (gǎomǎnǎo). If unsure, use 縞瑪瑙 / 缟玛瑙. Wiktionary also lists 紅璧璽 / 红璧玺 (hóngbìxǐ).
Meaning: a banded variety of chalcedony (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 縞瑪瑙 / 缟玛瑙 | gǎomǎnǎo |
| 紅璧璽 / 红璧玺 | hóngbìxǐ |
The term refers to a banded variety of chalcedony.
Which one should you use?
While 玛瑙 refers to agate in general, 縞瑪瑙 / 缟玛瑙 specifically refers to the banded variety known as onyx.
How do you pronounce it?
gǎomǎnǎo
Did you know?
- The term 縞瑪瑙 is an orthographic borrowing from the Japanese term 縞瑪瑙. This means the Chinese characters were adopted to represent the Japanese reading of the stone, rather than the term originating in China.
- The character 璽 in 红璧玺 is reserved for the highest level of authority, specifically referring to the seals used by emperors. Using this word implies a connection to imperial power and ritual.
- The Chinese term 縞瑪瑙 uses the character 縞, which specifically describes a pattern of stripes or streaks. This character is also used in traditional Chinese to describe certain types of silk that feature distinctive longitudinal patterns.
Examples in context
- 我在宝石店买了一块黑玛瑙。I bought a piece of black onyx at the jewelry store.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “onyx” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 縞瑪瑙, CC BY-SA 4.0.
