珍珠
zhēnzhū
In Chinese, the English word "pearl" is translated as 珍珠 (zhēnzhū). If unsure, use 珍珠. Wiktionary also lists 璣 / 玑 (jī).
Meaning: rounded shelly concretion produced by certain mollusks (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 珍珠 | zhēnzhū |
| 璣 / 玑 | jī |
The term 珍珠 refers to the rounded shelly concretion produced by certain mollusks. It is also used as part of the proper noun 珍珠港 (zhēnzhū gǎng) to refer to Pearl Harbor.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 珍珠 (zhēnzhū) is composed of two parts: 珍 (zhēn), meaning precious or rare and 珠 (zhū), meaning bead or pearl.
Which one should you use?
珍珠 is the standard modern term for a pearl. In contrast, the forms 璣 or 玑 are archaic or literary terms used in classical Chinese poetry and texts.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting a single pearl, the most common classifier (measure word) used is 颗, as seen in the phrase 一颗珍珠.
How do you pronounce it?
zhēnzhū
Did you know?
- The term 珍珠 is used as a common descriptor for 'boba' or tapioca pearls in 珍珠奶茶, the famous bubble tea.
- The word 珠 is used in the phrase 珠联璧合 to describe a perfect marriage or partnership, imagining pearls and jade pieces fitting together.
- In classical Chinese, the term 玑 specifically referred to a pearl used as a pivot in an armillary sphere for astronomical observations.
Examples in context
- 日本人在一九四一年十二月七日襲擊珍珠港。The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.This sentence shows how to refer to Pearl Harbor using the form 珍珠.Tatoeba #5989634 by egg0073, translation #281728 by CK
- 寶石師傅在胸針上鑲了一枚大珍珠。The jeweler mounted a big pearl in the brooch.This sentence shows an example of using the form 珍珠 to describe a piece of jewelry.Tatoeba #522035 by nickyeow, translation #320987 by CM
- 这个手链上的珠子很漂亮。The beads on this bracelet are very beautiful.
- 这条项链上面镶嵌着一颗白珍珠。Zhè tiáo xiàngliàn shàngmiàn yàngqiànzhe yī kē bái zhēnzhū.This necklace is inlaid with a white pearl.
Example conversation
Yuting is showing Haoran a piece of jewelry.
- 雨婷 Yuting浩然，你看我买的珍珠耳环。Hàorán, nǐ kàn wǒ mǎi de zhēnzhū ěrhuán.Haoran, look at the pearl earrings I bought.
- 浩然 Haoran真的很有气质，很适合你。Zhēnde hěn yǒu qìzhì, hěn shìhé nǐ.They are very elegant and suit you well.
- 雨婷 Yuting谢谢，这些珍珠的光泽很自然。Xièxie, zhèxiē zhēnzhū de guāngzé hěn zìrán.Thank you, the luster of these pearls is very natural.
- 浩然 Haoran看来你选得很好。Kànlái nǐ xuǎn de hěn hǎo.It seems you chose them well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pearl” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
