Gem
Meaning: Something or someone exceptionally valuable, special, or wonderful — often underappreciated.
Calling something a 'gem' implies it's a precious find — a hidden restaurant, an overlooked song, or an especially kind person. It carries a sense of discovery and appreciation. 'Hidden gem' specifically describes something excellent that isn't widely known.
Examples
- That little Italian place on 5th Street is a hidden gem. 第五街那家小意大利餐厅是个宝藏小店。Ese pequeño restaurante italiano en la calle 5 es una joya escondida.5番街のあの小さなイタリアンレストランは隠れた名店だよ。5번가에 있는 그 작은 이탈리안 레스토랑은 숨은 보석이야.
- Your grandmother is an absolute gem. She made us all cookies. 你奶奶真的是个好人。她给我们每个人都烤了饼干。Tu abuela es una auténtica joya. Nos hizo galletas a todos.おばあちゃんは本当に素敵な人だ。みんなにクッキーを焼いてくれたんだよ。너희 할머니는 정말 훌륭한 분이야. 우리 모두에게 쿠키를 구워주셨어.
- This podcast is a gem — I can't believe it doesn't have more listeners. 这个播客是个宝藏——我不敢相信听众这么少。Este podcast es una joya — no me puedo creer que no tenga más oyentes.このポッドキャストは掘り出し物だ——もっとリスナーがいないのが信じられない。이 팟캐스트는 보석이야 — 리스너가 더 많지 않다니 믿을 수가 없어.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: discovery, appreciation, recommendations, people
Tone: warm, appreciative
✓ Do Say
- This place is a gem.这个地方是个宝藏。Este sitio es una joya.This place is a gem.(ここは掘り出し物だよ。)이 곳은 보석이야.
- She's a real gem.她真是个好人。Es una auténtica joya.She's a real gem.(彼女は本当に素晴らしい人だ。)그녀는 진짜 보석 같은 사람이야.
✗ Don't Say
- Works well in professional contexts — 'That employee is a gem' is appropriate in most settings在职场中也很好用——'That employee is a gem'(那个员工是个宝)在大多数场合都很得体Funciona bien en contextos profesionales — 'Ese empleado es una joya' es apropiado en la mayoría de entornos仕事の場面でも使えます——「That employee is a gem(あの社員は宝だ)」はほとんどの状況で適切です업무 환경에서도 잘 어울린다 — '그 직원은 보석이다'는 대부분의 상황에서 적절하다
Origin & History
English has used 'gem' metaphorically for centuries, but the American slang usage — particularly 'hidden gem' for undiscovered excellence — became popular in the 2000s through restaurant reviews, travel blogs, and social media recommendations.
Cultural Context
Era: 2000s onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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