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宝石 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
宝石bǎoshíprecious stoneHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #6510, Very Hard
宝石bǎoshígemHSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #6510, Very Hard
bǎoshí(bao3shi2)bao shi T3
  1. 1precious stone
  2. 2gem
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March 24, 2026

宝石(寶石)bǎoshí(bao3shi2)

宝石 (bǎoshí) refers to a precious stone or gem, typically valued for its beauty and rarity. Commonly used in contexts involving jewelry, art, and decoration, it conveys a sense of luxury and refinement, often associated with wealth and special occasions.

Strokes13Frequency#6510DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, gems like jade (玉) hold significant cultural importance, symbolizing purity and virtue. 宝石 are often gifted during weddings and festivals to signify prosperity and good fortune.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'treasure chest' full of sparkling gems; the character 宝 (bǎo) means 'treasure' and 石 (shí) means 'stone.' Visualize each gem shining brightly in the chest, reminding you that these stones are both precious and beautiful.

Meanings of 宝石

bǎoshí(bao3shi2)
1precious stone
2gem
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About 宝石

宝石Simplified
寶石Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
枚Measure Word
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 宝石

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Podcast: 宝石

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AI Study Notes for 宝石

Quick Contrast

珠宝 (zhūbǎo) vs 宝石 (bǎoshí): Use 珠宝 when referring to jewelry as a collection or category, while 宝石 specifically denotes individual precious stones.

Usage Notes

Avoid confusing 宝石 with other types of stones or minerals; 宝石 specifically refers to precious ones. It's commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing jewelry or gifts. Be mindful of the tones, as mispronouncing can change meanings.

HSK Study Tips

While 宝石 is not an HSK word, it connects to concepts like 珠宝 (zhūbǎo, jewelry) and 价值 (jiàzhí, value), which may appear at HSK levels 3-4. Focus on the context of luxury and beauty when learning related vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 宝石 with 石头 (shítou, stone), which refers to ordinary stones. Remember that 宝石 implies value and beauty, while 石头 does not.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 宝石

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Component Characters

宝bǎojewel
HSK 58 strokes宀
View full entry
石dàndry measure for grain equal to ten dou 斗
5 strokes石
View full entry

How to say precious stone in Chinese

“precious stone” in Chinese is宝石bǎoshí

宝石 (bǎoshí) refers to a precious stone or gem, typically valued for its beauty and rarity. Commonly used in contexts involving jewelry, art, and decoration, it conveys a sense of luxury and refinement, often associated with wealth and special occasions.

When to use 宝石

Avoid confusing 宝石 with other types of stones or minerals; 宝石 specifically refers to precious ones. It's commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing jewelry or gifts. Be mindful of the tones, as mispronouncing can change meanings.

宝石 or something close to it

珠宝 (zhūbǎo) vs 宝石 (bǎoshí): Use 珠宝 when referring to jewelry as a collection or category, while 宝石 specifically denotes individual precious stones.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 宝石 with 石头 (shítou, stone), which refers to ordinary stones. Remember that 宝石 implies value and beauty, while 石头 does not.

Write 宝石

宝
石

Practice writing 宝石 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 宝石

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

The concept of precious stones as symbols of wealth and status is common in both Chinese and Western cultures, but the specific stones valued can differ significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions about 宝石

It is pronounced as 'bǎoshí', with the third tone on '宝' and the second tone on '石'.

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