宝石

• Reading: ほうせき
• Romaji: houseki
• Kanji breakdown: 宝 (hō/takara) — treasure; 石 (seki/ishi) — stone
• Pronunciation: /hoː.se.ki/

Meaning

Gem; jewel. A precious or semiprecious stone, especially when cut and polished.

A noun combining 宝 (treasure) and 石 (stone). Used for both natural gemstones and figuratively for something precious. Common phrases: 宝石箱 (houseki-bako, jewelry box), 宝石店 (houseki-ten, jewelry store). Often appears in descriptions of gifts, luxury items, and metaphorical expressions about value.

Examples

1. この宝石はとても高いので買えない。 This gem is so expensive that I can't afford it.
2. 彼女の誕生日に宝石をプレゼントした。 I gave her a jewel for her birthday.
3. 夜空の星がまるで宝石のように輝いていた。 The stars in the night sky were sparkling like jewels.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, gifts, fashion

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 宝 (hō, treasure) and 石 (seki, stone). The concept of precious stones as treasures is shared across many East Asian languages.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal