joya

jewel

noun HOH-yah Rare

Origin: From Old French joiel, from Latin gaudium ('joy').

Also means

gem

Usage Note

Joya means a piece of jewellery or a precious gem, and is frequently used figuratively for anything or anyone considered a treasure: esta película es una joya del cine español ('this film is a gem of Spanish cinema'). The plural joyas is used for jewellery in general, and the collective noun joyería refers both to the craft and to a jeweller's shop. Do not confuse with hoya ('pit, hollow') — the pronunciation is identical but the spelling differs.

Examples

"Le regaló una joya de oro en su aniversario."

Natural Translation

He gave her a gold jewel on their anniversary.

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