玑 (jī) - An imperfect pearl & a type of ancient astronomical instrument (as in

玑Tone 1

jī ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 王

慧佳

玑 · jī

An imperfect pearl;

a type of ancient astronomical instrument (as in 璇玑);

jade-like stone.

An imperfect pearla type of ancient astronomical instrument (as injade-like stone.

Usage highlights

Pearls and jadesAstronomical instrumentJadeAncient instrumentPrecious stone

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 砾— gravel, pebble (ordinary stone vs. precious stone)
  • 瑕— flaw in jade (imperfection vs. preciousness)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This is an ancient astronomical instrument (璇玑).
  • He collects pearls and jades (珠玑).
  • The jade has a slight imperfection (玉有微玑).

Collocations

  • Pearls and jades(珠玑)
  • Astronomical instrument(璇玑)
  • Jade-like stone(玉玑)
  • Ancient instrument(玑衡)
  • Precious stone(宝玑)

Idioms

  • Words like pearls and jades(字字珠玑)
  • The Jade Pivot and the Jade Balance(璇玑玉衡)
  • Precious words(珠玑之言)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to an imperfect or small pearl, later extended to jade-like stones.
  • Used in ancient astronomy as part of the instrument 璇玑 (jade sighting-tube) for celestial observation.
  • In literature, 珠玑 (pearls and jades) metaphorically describes exquisite writing or precious words.

FAQ