joya
“joya” means “jewel” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
jewel, piece of jewelry
Also: finery
📝 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.
gem, treasure
📝 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.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: joya
Question 1 of 1
How would you say 'Your car is a gem' in Spanish?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Old French word 'joie,' which ultimately comes from the Latin word 'gaudia,' meaning 'joy' or 'rejoicing.' It makes sense because jewels bring joy!
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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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.