This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

玉虫色

Reading

Kana: たまむしいろ
Romaji: tamamushiiro
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

1

iridescent

2

equivocal; ambivalent

3

variable meaning; weasel-word; chameleonic interpretation

Kanji

Readings: ギョク、 たま、 たま-、 -だま
Meanings: jewel, ball
Readings: チュウ、 キ、 むし
Meanings: insect, bug, temper
Readings: ショク、 シキ、 いろ
Meaning: color

Example Sentence

首相(しゅしょう)答弁(とうべん)玉虫色(たまむしいろ)だった。
➥The prime minister's answer was equivocal.
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