大理石(だいりせき)

A metamorphic rock prized for its beauty and used in architecture and sculpture. The name comes from 大理(だいり), the ancient name of Dali in China's Yunnan province, which was famous for its marble, plus 石(せき) (stone).

Common collocations

• 大理石(だいりせき)の床(ゆか): marble floor
• 大理石(だいりせき)の柱(はしら): marble pillar
• 大理石(だいりせき)調(ちょう): marble-patterned; faux marble
• 天然(てんねん)大理石(だいりせき): natural marble
• 人工(じんこう)大理石(だいりせき): artificial marble

Similar words

• 御影石(みかげいし): granite — another popular stone used in construction and monuments
• 石材(せきざい): stone material — a general term for building stone

Usage

In modern Japanese, 大理石(だいりせき)調(ちょう) (marble-look/faux marble) is commonly used for affordable imitation marble products in interior design.