Translation guide
The iridescent inner layer of certain mollusk shells, used in decorative arts and jewelry. In Japanese, the material itself is most commonly referred to as 真珠層 or 螺鈿 when used in inlay work.
Referring to the iridescent substance as a material, without specifying its use in craft.
The standard scientific and general term for nacre, the substance that makes up mother-of-pearl.
この貝殻の内側は真珠層でできている。
The inside of this shell is made of mother-of-pearl.
Specifically refers to mother-of-pearl when used as inlay in lacquerware or woodwork. Often implies the craft technique itself.
その箱は螺鈿で飾られている。
The box is decorated with mother-of-pearl inlay.
Literally 'blue shell', a traditional term for mother-of-pearl, especially from abalone, used in crafts. Less common in modern general contexts.
青貝細工の帯留めを買った。
I bought an obi clip with mother-of-pearl work.
Describing an object made of or adorned with mother-of-pearl.
Using 真珠層 as a modifier with の to describe something made of the material.
真珠層のボタンがついたシャツ。
A shirt with mother-of-pearl buttons.
Refers to mother-of-pearl inlay work as a craft or the resulting object.
螺鈿細工の美しい小箱。
A beautiful small box with mother-of-pearl inlay.
Specifically refers to the white-lipped pearl oyster shell, often used as a high-quality mother-of-pearl material in jewelry.
Describing the characteristic shimmering, rainbow-like appearance of mother-of-pearl.
Means 'pearly luster', used to describe the iridescent sheen.
この壁紙は真珠光沢がある。
This wallpaper has a mother-of-pearl sheen.
Literally 'rainbow-colored shine', a descriptive phrase for iridescence.
貝殻の内側は虹色の輝きを放っている。
The inside of the shell gives off a rainbow-like shine.
真珠層 is the biological material (nacre), while 螺鈿 refers to the decorative technique or the crafted inlay pieces. Use 真珠層 for scientific or general material contexts, and 螺鈿 when talking about traditional crafts.
真珠層は貝殻の内側にある層です。
Mother-of-pearl is the layer inside the shell.
この螺鈿の技法は中国から伝わった。
This mother-of-pearl inlay technique was introduced from China.
Do not translate 'mother-of-pearl' literally as 真珠の母. That would be meaningless in Japanese. Always use the established terms above.
このペンダントは白蝶貝で作られている。
This pendant is made of white mother-of-pearl.