珠

zhū

朱 + 王

Definitions

zhū (noun) pearl; bead

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 王 represents the meaning and 朱 represents the sound.

Semantic: 王 Phonetic: 朱

About

珠 is a phono-semantic compound in which the left-hand component 王, the jade radical, signals that the word belongs to the realm of precious stones and gems, while the right-hand component 朱 hints at the pronunciation. The character's earliest meaning is 'pearl', a shining, spherical treasure formed inside oysters, a perfect fit for the jade radical's association with valuable minerals. From there, it came to designate any small, round, bead-like item, such as dewdrops or glass beads, often retaining nuances of high value, brightness, and preciousness.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical Wu (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这颗珠子很漂亮。

Zhè kē zhūzi hěn piàoliang.

This bead is very pretty.

她戴着一串珍珠项链。

Tā dài zhe yī chuàn zhēnzhū xiàngliàn.

She is wearing a string of pearl necklace.

眼泪化作了晶莹的泪珠。

Yǎnlèi huà zuò le jīngyíng de lèizhū.

Tears turned into sparkling teardrops.

珠海位于广东省南部。

Zhūhǎi wèiyú Guǎngdōng shěng nánbù.

Zhuhai is located in the southern part of Guangdong Province.

她用彩色珠子装饰衣服。

Tā yòng cǎisè zhūzi zhuāngshì yīfú.

She decorates clothes with colored beads.

珍珠养殖是当地的重要产业。

Zhēnzhū yǎngzhí shì dāngdì de zhòngyào chǎnyè.

Pearl cultivation is an important industry locally.

珠算技巧需要长时间的练习。

Zhūsuàn jìqiǎo xūyào cháng shíjiān de liànxí.

Abacus calculation skills require long-term practice.

珠穆朗玛峰的气候极其恶劣。

Zhūmùlǎngmǎ fēng de qìhòu jíqí èliè.

The climate of Mount Everest is extremely harsh.

Related Characters

Component: 朱

Component: 王

珠