令れい色しょく

noun

fawning look; servile expression

Describes a facial expression intended to flatter or ingratiate oneself. Most often seen in the idiom 令色巧言 (れいしょくこうげん), meaning 'flattering words and a servile look'.

• 彼かれの令れい色しょく巧こう言げんにはうんざりだ。

  I'm fed up with his flattering words and fawning looks.

noun

good complexion

Archaic meaning; not used in modern Japanese. The modern word for 'good complexion' is 血色が良い (けっしょくがよい) or similar.

• 古こ文ぶんでは「令れい色しょく」が顔かお色いろの良よさを指さすことがある。

  In classical texts, 令色 can refer to a good complexion.