珠 (zhū) - Pearl — a small, round, lustrous object produced & also used metaphorically for something precious, valuable, or

珠Tone 1

zhū ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

志

珠 · zhū

Pearl — a small, round, lustrous object produced within the shells of certain mollusks;

also used metaphorically for something precious, valuable, or excellent.

Pearl — a small, round, lustrous object producedalso used metaphorically for something precious, valuable, or

Usage highlights

PearlDewdropTeardropEyeballBeadPearl River

Synonyms

  • 珍珠— Pearl (specifically genuine pearl)
  • 宝珠— Precious pearl, gem

Antonyms

  • 石— Stone (common vs precious)
  • 瓦— Tile (ordinary vs valuable)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • She wore a necklace of pearls (珍珠项链).
  • The dew drops sparkled like pearls (露珠).
  • This city is a pearl on the coast (海滨明珠).
  • Tears fell like pearls (泪珠).

Collocations

  • Pearl(珍珠)
  • Dewdrop(露珠)
  • Teardrop(泪珠)
  • Eyeball(眼珠)
  • Bead(珠子)
  • Pearl River(珠江)

Idioms

  • Pearls and jades(珠玉)
  • Pearls and treasures(珠宝)
  • Strings of pearls and jades(珠联璧合)
  • Buy a casket and return the pearls(买椟还珠)
  • Pearls before swine(对牛弹琴 - related concept)
  • Old pearl regains luster(老珠复明)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Pearls have been highly valued in Chinese culture for millennia, symbolizing purity, wisdom, and spiritual energy.
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, pearl powder was believed to have calming and beautifying properties.
  • The character appears in the name of Guangdong's Pearl River (珠江), one of China's major waterways.
  • Pearls are one of the Eight Treasures in Chinese Buddhism, representing spiritual wealth.

FAQ