How to Say "Ruby" in Japanese

ルビー

rubī[ɾɯ̟bʲiː]

The English word "ruby" is translated into Japanese as ルビー (rubī). Wiktionary also lists 紅玉 (kōkyoku).

Meaning: type of gem (noun)

Ways to say it

“ruby” in Japanese
Japanese	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA
ルビー	rubī	[ɾɯ̟bʲiː] (narrow)
紅玉	kōkyoku	[ko̞ːɡʲo̞kɯ̟] (narrow)

The word refers to the type of gemstone. It is also used as a female given name.

rubī

Japanese uses a system called 'ruby characters' (ルビ), which are small phonetic readings placed above kanji to help readers pronounce them.
The linguistic term 'ruby characters' comes from the old printing practice of using red ink for these guides, mirroring the color of a ruby.
While ルビー is common, the traditional name 紅玉 literally means 'crimson jade'.

このリングには美しい紅玉がはめられています。
This ring is adorned with a beautiful ruby.
彼女は高級なルビーネックレスを身につけていました。
She was wearing an extravagant ruby necklace.
このルビーはとても美しいです。
Kono rubī wa totemo utsukushii desu.
This ruby is very beautiful.
彼女はルビーの指輪を贈りました。
Kanojo wa rubī no yubiwa o okurimashita.
She gave a ruby ring.
ルビーの輝きが目に眩しいです。
Rubī no kagayaki ga me ni mabushii desu.
The sparkle of the ruby is dazzling to the eyes.

Kenta and Yui are looking at jewelry in a shop window.

結衣 Yui

あのルビー、すごく綺麗だね。
Ano rubī, sugoku kirei da ne.
That ruby is really beautiful, isn't it?
健太 Kenta

本当だ。結衣はルビーが好き？
Hontō da. Yui wa rubī ga suki?
It really is. Yui, do you like rubies?
結衣 Yui

うん、赤色が大好きだよ。
Un, aka-iro ga daisuki da yo.
Yes, I love the red color.
健太 Kenta

じゃあ、誕生日にプレゼントするね。
Ja, tanjōbi ni purezento suru ne.
Then I will give you one for your birthday.

Sources

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