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珠宝 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
珠宝zhūbǎopearlsHSK 6, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #3572, Hard
珠宝zhūbǎojewelsHSK 6, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #3572, Hard
珠宝zhūbǎoprecious stonesHSK 6, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #3572, Hard
zhūbǎo(zhu1bao3)zhu bao T1
  1. 1pearls
  2. 2jewels
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March 24, 2026

珠宝(珠寶)zhūbǎo(zhu1bao3)

珠宝 (zhūbǎo) refers to valuable items such as pearls, jewels, and precious stones. It is commonly used in contexts related to fashion, luxury, and adornment, often associated with wealth and beauty.

Strokes18Frequency#3572DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, jewelry such as 珠宝 is often given as gifts during significant occasions like weddings and festivals, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity. The appreciation for fine jewelry reflects historical values of wealth and status.

Memory Tip

Think of 珠 (zhū) as 'pearl' and 宝 (bǎo) as 'treasure'. Imagine a sparkling pearl necklace (珠) kept in a treasure chest (宝), glimmering with wealth. The sound 'zhu1 bao3' can remind you of 'jewelry box' where such treasures are stored.

Meanings of 珠宝

zhūbǎo(zhu1bao3)
1pearls
2jewels
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About 珠宝

珠宝Simplified
珠寶Traditional
18Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

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Podcast: 珠宝

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AI Study Notes for 珠宝

Quick Contrast

宝石 (bǎoshí) — use 珠宝 (zhūbǎo) when referring specifically to jewelry or decorative items, while 宝石 (bǎoshí) refers more generally to gemstones.

Usage Notes

珠宝 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in luxury discussions. Be cautious with tones; the first character 珠 has a first tone (high level), while 宝 has a third tone (falling-rising), which can change the meaning if mispronounced.

HSK Study Tips

While 珠宝 is not specifically listed in HSK levels, it connects to vocabulary about shopping and luxury items that are often introduced in HSK Level 3. Students should focus on related terms like 饰品 (shìpǐn, accessories) and 购物 (gòuwù, shopping).

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is to confuse 珠宝 with other similar words like 珠子 (zhūzi, bead), which refers to a single pearl or bead rather than a collection of jewels. Ensure to use 珠宝 when referring to the concept of jewelry as a whole.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 珠宝

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Component Characters

珠zhūbead
10 strokes王
View full entry
宝bǎojewel
HSK 58 strokes宀
View full entry

How to say pearls in Chinese

“pearls” in Chinese is珠宝zhūbǎo

珠宝 (zhūbǎo) refers to valuable items such as pearls, jewels, and precious stones. It is commonly used in contexts related to fashion, luxury, and adornment, often associated with wealth and beauty.

When to use 珠宝

珠宝 is often used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in luxury discussions. Be cautious with tones; the first character 珠 has a first tone (high level), while 宝 has a third tone (falling-rising), which can change the meaning if mispronounced.

珠宝 or something close to it

宝石 (bǎoshí) — use 珠宝 (zhūbǎo) when referring specifically to jewelry or decorative items, while 宝石 (bǎoshí) refers more generally to gemstones.

What learners get wrong

A common mistake is to confuse 珠宝 with other similar words like 珠子 (zhūzi, bead), which refers to a single pearl or bead rather than a collection of jewels. Ensure to use 珠宝 when referring to the concept of jewelry as a whole.

Write 珠宝

珠
宝

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

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Cultural Notes for 珠宝

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

The concept of jewelry as status symbols is similar in both Chinese and Western cultures, but in China, certain gems may hold specific cultural significance, such as jade being considered more valuable than gold.

Frequently Asked Questions about 珠宝

珠 refers specifically to pearls, while 宝 is a broader term meaning treasure or precious item.

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