Tb 31 -Mn 21 -codoped zinc-strontium-phosphate glasses are prepared by the conventional melt-quenching method, and their photoluminescence spectroscopy is investigated as a function of the Mn 21 concentration. It is observed that the excitation band at 350 nm due to Tb 31 overlaps that of Mn 21 ions, thus suitable for efficiently activating Tb 31 -Mn 21 -codoped glasses. The emission spectra of codoped glasses simultaneously show the blue (486 nm), green (541 and 582 nm), and red (617 nm) emissions. The 590 nm broad emissions of Mn 21 ions have been enhanced with the doping of Tb 31 ions, while the Tb 31 emissions have decreased with the increasing concentration of Mn 21 . Decay curves of Tb 31 ions with the different concentrations of Mn 21 ions are also studied. The possible energy transfer process from Tb 31 to Mn 21 ions is proposed and the relevant mechanism is discussed.