瑙

nǎo
王 + 𡿺

Definitions

nǎo used in 瑪瑙|玛瑙[mǎ nǎo]

Etymology phono-semantic

jade

Semantic: 王

About

The character 瑙 (nǎo) is a phono-semantic compound used almost exclusively in the word for agate, a semi-precious banded chalcedony. Its left side features the jade radical 王 (a variant of 玉, yù), classifying it among precious stones and minerals. The complex right component functions as the phonetic indicator for its pronunciation. Historically prized for its colorful banding in jewelry, agate was an imported gem, so this character was coined as a precise gemological term for the mineral, rather than having broader abstract meanings.

Example Sentences Hide

这块玛瑙很漂亮。

Zhè kuài mǎnǎo hěn piàoliang.

This agate is very beautiful.

玛瑙是一种宝石。

Mǎnǎo shì yī zhǒng bǎoshí.

Agate is a kind of gemstone.

我喜欢收集玛瑙。

Wǒ xǐhuān shōují mǎnǎo.

I like collecting agates.

他在河边捡到一块玛瑙。

Tā zài hé biān jiǎndào yī kuài mǎnǎo.

He picked up a piece of agate by the river.

这块玛瑙比那块更光滑。

Zhè kuài mǎnǎo bǐ nà kuài gèng guānghuá.

This agate is smoother than that one.

因为玛瑙很珍贵，所以价格很高。

Yīnwèi mǎnǎo hěn zhēnguì, suǒyǐ jiàgé hěn gāo.

Because agate is precious, its price is high.

如果你去珠宝店，就能看到各种玛瑙制品。

Rúguǒ nǐ qù zhūbǎo diàn, jiù néng kàndào gè zhǒng mǎnǎo zhìpǐn.

If you go to a jewelry store, you can see various agate products.

玛瑙的形成需要经过漫长的时间和水流冲刷。

Mǎnǎo de xíngchéng xūyào jīngguò màncháng de shíjiān hé shuǐliú chōngshuā.

The formation of agate requires a long time and water erosion.

Related Characters

Component: 王

现 理 全 金 望 球 环 皇 班 玉 弄 玩 狂 玛

Component: 𡿺

腦 匘 堖 惱 碯

Example Words

多瑙河 玛瑙 瑙鲁