| 玉 | たま | ball, sphere; coin; jewel, pearl; testicles; staple (for a stapler); person (when commenting on their nature), character |
| 目玉 | めだま | eyeball; special feature, centerpiece, showpiece, drawcard; special program, loss leader |
| 替え玉 | かえだま | substitute, double; second serving (ball) of noodles (to add to previously purchased ramen) |
| 玉虫色 | たまむしいろ | iridescent; equivocal, ambivalent; variable meaning, weasel-word, chameleonic interpretation |
| お年玉 | おとしだま | New Year's gift |
| 悪玉 | あくたま, あくだま | bad character, bad person, villain, baddie |
| 目玉商品 | めだましょうひん | bargain goods, eye-catching goods, featured product, loss leader |
| 善玉 | ぜんだま | good person |
| 火の玉 | ひのたま | falling star, fireball |
| 手玉 | てだま | beanbags, jackstones |
