玉虫色

• 読み: たまむしいろ
• ローマ字: tamamushiiro
• 漢字の分解: 玉 (gyoku/tama) — gem, jewel; 虫 (chu/mushi) — insect; 色 (shoku/iro) — colour
• 発音: /ta.ma.mɯ.ɕi.i.ɾo/

意味

Iridescent colour; by extension, deliberately vague or ambiguous; crafted to mean different things to different people. Often used to describe evasive political or diplomatic language.

Literally the colour of the jewel beetle (玉虫), whose wings shimmer between green and purple depending on the angle. In figurative use — now far more common — it describes statements or policies intentionally worded to satisfy conflicting parties simultaneously. Common in political commentary, journalism, and business negotiations.

例文

1. 政府の声明は玉虫色の表現で、賛否両派を安心させる内容だった。
2. 玉虫色の返答では問題の解決にはならない。
3. 委員会は玉虫色の合意文書を発表し、両陣営が自陣の勝利と主張した。

使い方ガイド

場面: politics, journalism, diplomacy, business negotiations

トーン: critical

起源と歴史

From 玉虫 (tamamushi — jewel beetle, Chrysochroa fulgidissima) and 色 (iro — colour). The beetle's wings display different colours depending on the viewing angle, giving rise to the metaphor of statements that shift meaning depending on who is listening.

文化的背景

時代: Modern

世代: Adults

社会的背景: Political and media circles