doi6 mui6玳瑁

Jyutpingdoi6 mui6

Yaledoih muih

名詞

Definition

Hawksbill sea turtle, or the tortoiseshell material made from its shell.

hawksbill sea turtle, a critically endangered species
tortoiseshell; the organic gemstone made from the turtle's shell

neutralanimalsother

How it's used

Refers both to the animal itself and the prized material harvested from its shell. When used for the material, it often implies luxury or vintage craftsmanship, though trade is now strictly regulated due to conservation status. The term is distinct from general plastic imitations which are often called 仿玳瑁.

Measure word

zek3隻jek

Examples

ni1呢go3個ngaan5眼geng2鏡kwaak1框hai6係doi6玳mou6瑁zing2整㗎。

This pair of glasses frames is made of tortoiseshell.

nei5你zi1知m4唔zi1知doi6玳mou6瑁hai6係suk6屬jyu1於bin1邊zung3種hoi2海gwai1龜？

Do you know which type of sea turtle the hawksbill is?

Common phrases

doi6玳mui6瑁ngaan5眼geng2鏡

tortoiseshell glasses

doi6玳mou6瑁zai3製ban2品

tortoiseshell products

Common mistake

Learners often confuse the material with plastic or other shell types, but the term specifically denotes the shell of the hawksbill turtle. Note that using products made from real shell is illegal in many jurisdictions due to the animal being critically endangered.