Translation guide
The English word "ruby" primarily refers to the red gemstone. In Japanese, this is expressed with the loanword ルビー. There is also a separate, unrelated meaning in Japanese typography: small kana characters printed above or beside kanji to indicate pronunciation, called ルビ. This guide covers both meanings.
The red precious stone, a variety of corundum.
Small kana characters printed above or beside kanji to show the reading. In English, this is sometimes called "ruby" or "rubi" characters, from the British printing term for a small type size.
The standard Japanese term for small kana used as a pronunciation guide. Often used in publishing and digital text.
ルビー (with a long vowel) means the gemstone. ルビ (short vowel) means the typographic pronunciation guide. They are distinct words in Japanese.
ルビーは宝石で、ルビは文字の読み方です。
Ruby is a gemstone, and rubi is a reading aid for characters.
She is wearing a ruby ring.
このネックレスには大きなルビーが使われている。
A large ruby is used in this necklace.
Please add ruby characters to this kanji.
子供向けの本にはルビが付いている。
Books for children have ruby characters.
Literally 'assigned kana', this is the traditional Japanese term for the same concept. It is slightly more formal or technical than ルビ.
振り仮名を付けると読みやすくなる。
Adding furigana makes it easier to read.