joya
/HO-yah/
jewel
A 'joya' is a precious stone or jewel.
joya(noun)
jewel
?a precious stone or gemstone
,piece of jewelry
?rings, necklaces, or bracelets
finery
?expensive ornaments
📝 In Action
Ella guarda sus joyas en una caja fuerte.
A2She keeps her jewelry in a safe.
El collar tiene una joya roja en el centro.
A2The necklace has a red jewel in the center.
💡 Grammar Points
A 'Female' Word
In Spanish, this word is feminine, so you should always use it with 'la' or 'una' (la joya, una joya).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Joya vs. Joyería
Mistake: "Using 'joyería' to mean a single ring."
Correction: Use 'joya' for the object and 'joyería' for the shop where you buy it or the general craft of making jewelry.
⭐ Usage Tips
Plural Form
To talk about jewelry in general as a collection, simply use the plural 'joyas'.
A 'joya' can also be a wonderful or helpful person.
📝 In Action
Tu hermano es una joya, siempre me ayuda con las compras.
B1Your brother is a gem; he always helps me with the shopping.
Este pequeño restaurante es una joya escondida.
B1This little restaurant is a hidden gem.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing People
Even if you are talking about a man, you still use 'una joya' because the word itself is feminine. 'Él es una joya' is correct.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: joya
Question 1 of 1
How would you say 'Your car is a gem' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'joya' ever used as an adjective?
Not strictly as a dictionary adjective, but in some places like Argentina, you might hear people say '¡Joya!' as slang to mean 'Great!' or 'Perfect!'
What is the difference between 'joya' and 'alhaja'?
They are very similar, but 'joya' is more common in everyday speech. 'Alhaja' can feel a bit more old-fashioned or specifically refer to very ornate, high-value items.