noun
jade
Refers to the gemstone jade (jadeite or nephrite). Often used in jewelry and decorative objects.
彼女は翡翠の指輪をはめている。
She is wearing a jade ring.
翡翠は東アジアで古くから珍重されてきた。
Jade has been highly valued in East Asia since ancient times.
noun
Refers to the common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis), a small brightly colored bird often found near water. The kanji 翡翠 literally means 'jade' and 'kingfisher', reflecting the bird's jewel-like plumage.
See also: カワセミ
川のほとりで翡翠を見かけた。
I spotted a kingfisher by the river.
翡翠は美しい青い羽を持っている。
The kingfisher has beautiful blue feathers.
カワセミ is the more common, everyday word for kingfisher, often written in katakana or hiragana. 翡翠 is a literary or formal alternative, and also means jade.
The kanji 翡翠 originally referred to the kingfisher bird in Chinese, with 翡 (hi) for the male and 翠 (sui) for the female. The gemstone jade was later associated with the same characters due to its similar vivid green-blue colors. The Japanese reading ひすい is derived from the Chinese pronunciation.