Bling
Meaning: Flashy, expensive jewelry or accessories; ostentatious displays of wealth.
'Bling' (or 'bling-bling') refers to shiny, expensive jewelry — diamond chains, gold watches, bejeweled accessories. It represents the flashy side of wealth. The word itself mimics the sound or sight of light sparkling off jewels.
Examples
- He showed up covered in bling — chains, rings, everything. 他全身挂满了亮闪闪的首饰——项链、戒指,应有尽有。Apareció cubierto de bling — cadenas, anillos, de todo.彼はキラキラのアクセサリーだらけで現れたよ——チェーン、指輪、全部盛り。그는 번쩍번쩍한 액세서리 범벅으로 나타났어 — 체인, 반지, 전부 다.
- She doesn't do subtle — it's all about the bling. 她从不低调——就喜欢各种闪闪发光的东西。Ella no sabe ser discreta — todo tiene que ser bling y brillo.彼女は控えめなの無理なんだよ——全部キラキラ派手なのが好きなの。그녀는 은근한 거 안 해 — 전부 화려하고 번쩍이는 걸 좋아해.
- The rapper's bling collection is worth millions. 那个说唱歌手的珠宝收藏价值数百万。La colección de joyas del rapero vale millones.あのラッパーのジュエリーコレクションは数億円の価値があるよ。그 래퍼의 보석 컬렉션은 수십억 원 가치가 있대.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: hip-hop, fashion, pop culture, casual conversation
Tone: flashy, admiring or mocking
✓ Do Say
- Nice bling!好闪的首饰!¡Qué bling tan guapo!いいアクセしてるね!멋진 장신구네!
- He loves his bling.他就爱戴闪亮的东西。Le encanta el bling.彼はキラキラのアクセが大好きなんだ。그는 번쩍이는 거 좋아해.
✗ Don't Say
- Can sound dated to Gen Z — the term peaked in the early 2000s but is still understood对Z世代来说可能有点过时——这个词在2000年代初最流行,但现在仍然能被理解Puede sonar anticuado para la Gen Z — el término alcanzó su pico a principios de los 2000, pero sigue siendo entendidoZ世代には古く聞こえるかも——2000年代前半にピークを迎えた言葉だが、今でも通じるZ세대에게는 촌스럽게 들릴 수 있다 — 2000년대 초반에 절정이었지만 여전히 통하는 표현이다
Origin & History
Coined in hip-hop culture, first used by rapper B.G. in his 1999 song 'Bling Bling.' Added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2003. The word is onomatopoetic — imitating the sparkle of jewels.
Cultural Context
Era: 1999 onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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