What do you associate with word Jade

[matjazr]

Hi,

in my company we are looking for a new trademark, under which we will provide products and services from our Chinese partners. Some of the names we are considering are derived from the word "jade" which represents a semi-precious stone that symbolizes wealth and prosperity in Chinese tradition.
There are some concerns about the word jade as its synonyms are also slut (noun) and fatigue (verb).

My question is how many of you would associate the word "jade" with one of this meanings instead of Chinese green stone?

Thanks for all your replies,

Matjaz

 

[emsr2d2]

I don't associate it with "slut" because I was unaware of this slang meaning. It's only associated with "fatigue" in the phrase "to feel jaded" and even then it means "demoralised".

I would associate "jade" with either a woman's name or the semi-precious stone.

 

[riquecohen]

emsr2d2's response is also true in AmE. I, too, associate the word with a name or a stone.

 

[SoothingDave]

It also makes me think of China. But that may just be because I know of a "Jade Garden" Chinese restaurant.

 

[Tdol]

There are some concerns about the word jade as its synonyms are also slut (noun) and fatigue (verb).

The negative meaning for a woman is archaic: http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/jade#jade-2
I have only seen the word in old novels and it did not come to mind when reading your post- I cannot remember ever hearing someone use it.

I would only think of the other meaning, like emsr2d2, with the form jaded.

I'd think of the green stone.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I once knew a stripper named Jade, but that is neither here nor there. :-D

 

[emsr2d2]

A wallpaper stripper?

 

[MikeNewYork]

:lol:

 

[Rover_KE]

I knew a stripper called 'Nowhere', but that's neither here nor there.

 

[Matthew Wai]

The Chinese green stone also translates as emerald, which is not ambiguous.

Not a teacher, but a Chinese.

 

[5jj]

Are you sure about that, Matthew? The colours may be similar, but the stones are different things.

 

[Tdol]

And emeralds don't have any particular association with China to me.

 

[Matthew Wai]

a semi-precious stone that symbolizes wealth and prosperity in Chinese tradition.

In Chinese, the stone is called "翡翠" which translates as "jade" or "emerald", both are possible.
If a customer says this Chinese term at a jewellers', the seller may have to ask which one exactly.

 

[5jj]

Are you saying that the Chinese consider jade and emerald, the stones, to be the same thing?

What is 玉 (yù), the word I have found in several places for jade. Is that also used for emerald?

 

[Matthew Wai]

Are you saying that the Chinese consider jade and emerald, the stones, to be the same thing?

When an ordinary Chinese like me looks at jade or emerald, s/he will simply consider it a green precious stone of some sort. When an expert or buyer looks at it, s/he will probably find out what sort it is.

What is 玉 (yù), the word I have found in several places for jade. Is that also used for emerald?

Jade translates as 翡翠 or 玉, both are possible. Emerald translates as 翡翠 or 祖母绿, both are possible.
翡翠 can be jade or emerald which are not the same, as a parent can be a father or mother which are not the same.

 

[emsr2d2]

All that aside, I think we've established that if you say "Jade" to a native English speaker, most of us will think of the green semi-precious stone that we all recognise as jade, or of the girl's name.

No offence, but I don't see how they can be confused with each other.

Jade: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=j...iN7Qaso4HgCw&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=1344&bih=733
Emerald: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=e...Eemg7Abg7oEI&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1344&bih=733

 

[matjazr]

I thank you all for your explanations.
I am sure I can now convince my partners "jade" carries no negative connotations.