Japanese word

甲

Pronunciation

Romajikō

Meaning

  • nounshell

Example

カメの甲は硬いです。ka me no kō wa kata i de su

The turtle's shell is hard.

Illustration for 甲 (shell)

More examples

水中では、甲が体を守っています。sui chū de wa kō ga karada o mamo tte i ma su

In the water, the shell protects the body.

Core concept

Refers to a firm outer covering that shields an animal's body from harm.

Common phrases

  • 甲の厚みkō no atsu mi

    the thickness of the shell

  • 甲を保護するkō o ho go su ru

    protect the shell

Similar words

甲羅kōra: The hard shell that covers and protects the body of a turtle or similar animal.
甲殻kōkaku: The hard protective covering on the body of a crustacean.

Definition in Japanese

動物の体を覆って保護する、硬い外側の部分。dō butsu no karada o ō tte ho go su ru kata i soto gawa no bu bun

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun 甲 (kō, "shell") comes from the Chinese character 甲, which has long carried senses related to shells and armor.

Usage tips

  • The English word shell also refers to eggs and nuts, but 甲 (kō) focuses on a hard covering that belongs to an animal's body.

Other meanings

  • carapacenoun

Word lists with this word