noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
iridescent color; jewel beetle color
Refers to the shifting, metallic green-purple sheen of a jewel beetle's wing covers. Used literally for colors that change depending on the angle of light.
彼女のドレスは玉虫色に輝いていた。
Her dress shone with an iridescent color.
I found an insect with iridescent wings.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', noun
Figurative use, often describing a reply, statement, or attitude that can be interpreted in multiple ways, like the shifting colors of a jewel beetle. Common in political or diplomatic contexts.
首相の答弁は玉虫色で、真意がつかめなかった。
The prime minister's reply was equivocal, and I couldn't grasp his true intention.
その合意は玉虫色の表現でごまかされている。
The agreement is obscured by ambiguous wording.
The insect's wings shone with an iridescent sheen.
The minister kept giving evasive, equivocal answers.
The negotiations ended in an ambiguous compromise.