진주
jinju[t͡ɕiɲd͡ʑu]
The English word pearl is translated into Korean as 진주 (jinju).
진주 refers to a pearl, the rounded concretion produced by certain mollusks. Be careful not to confuse it with the word 알, which means egg.
Meaning: rounded shelly concretion produced by certain mollusks (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
jinju
Did you know?
- The word 진주 is also the name of a major city in South Korea, Jinju. This shared spelling means that in a text without context, 'pearl' could refer to a piece of jewelry or a geographic location.
- In the Hanja construction of 진주, the character 眞 means 'real' or 'true'. Thus, the literal etymological meaning of the word is 'true bead'.
- Korean folklore sometimes links the beauty of 진주 to the concept of 'tears of the sea', emphasizing a mystical origin over a biological one.
Examples in context
- 진주는 오래된 전통적인 보석입니다.Pearl is an ancient traditional gemstone.
- 이 목걸이는 진짜 진주예요.i mokgeori-neun jin-jja jin-ju-ye-yo.This necklace is real pearl.
- 진주 귀걸이가 정말 예쁘네요.jin-ju gwi-geol-i-ga jeong-mal ye-ppeu-ne-yo.The pearl earrings are really pretty.
- 그녀는 진주 목걸이를 선물 받았어요.geu-nyeo-neun jin-ju mok-geol-i-reul seon-mul bad-at-eo-yo.She received a pearl necklace as a gift.
Example conversation
Minjun and Jieun are looking at jewelry in a shop.
- 민준 Min-jun이 진주 반지 어때요?i jin-ju ban-ji eo-ttae-yo?How about this pearl ring?
- 지은 Ji-eun정말 고급스러워 보여요.jeong-mal go-geup-seu-reo-wo bo-yeo-yo.It looks really luxurious.
- 민준 Min-jun지은 씨에게 잘 어울릴 것 같아요.Ji-eun ssi-e-ge jal eo-ul-ril geot gat-a-yo.I think it will suit you well, Jieun.
- 지은 Ji-eun고마워요, 정말 마음에 들어요.go-ma-wo-yo, jeong-mal ma-eum-e deu-reo-yo.Thank you, I really like it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pearl” translations and entries 진주, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 진주, CC BY-SA 4.0.
